Posting Details

Posting Details

Reference Number 83-32024 Posted Job Title DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS School Name Provost's Center Org University Press Posted to the Web 05/14/2019 Posted Job/Salary Grade 031 Employment Type Exempt Hours N/A Position Type Full Time Position Schedule 9-5pm Months 12 Position Length Ongoing Position End Date University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

School/Center Overview

The Office of the Provost provides direction on all facets of the University’s academic mission, including education, faculty, research, online learning, global initiatives, admissions, athletics, student life, and arts and culture. The Provost’s Center aggregates programs and offices designed to support University operations, including: the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and its reporting departments (Penn Center for Innovation, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, University Laboratory Animal Resources, and Regulatory Affairs), the Office of the Chaplain, the Graduate Student Center and Family Resource Center, the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics, College Houses and Academic Services, New Student Orientation, the Office of Student Conduct, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the University of Pennsylvania Press, and all of the University’s arts organizations (Penn Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Arthur Ross Gallery, and University Art Collection). It also includes interdisciplinary academic centers and institutes that are more appropriately housed centrally than in an individual school, including the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, the Center for Neuroscience and Society, the Penn Institute for Urban Research, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Kelly Writers House, and Weiss Tech House. http://provost.upenn.edu/

Duties

The University of Pennsylvania Press, in the words of its mission statement, ‘exists to publish meritorious works that advance scholarly research and educational objectives. In pursuing this mission, the Press’s goal mirrors that of the University: to attain regional, national, and international recognition for enduring contributions to the arts and sciences and to the practical application of knowledge to matters of contemporary concern.’ The Press was originally incorporated in 1890, among the earliest such imprints in America. Today, the Press has an active backlist of more than 3000 titles and an annual output of 140+ new books and 19 journals across the humanities and social sciences.
The Press now seeks an innovative, visionary, and experienced Director who will sustain this tradition for the fluid publishing landscape of the 21st century. The new Director, overseeing a staff of 30 and an annual books and journals revenue of $3-4 million, will be a collaborative and dynamic leader who can modernize all aspects of the Press, build synergies with Penn’s broader academic community, and advance the University’s contemporary eminence in innovation and scholarship.

Qualifications

BA/BS required, advanced degree preferred and 7 years to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. At least 7 years of increasing decision-making, administrative, and supervisory responsibility in a publishing environment. Superior people management skills and an open and transparent communication style. A proven track record making and implementing decisions to enhance operational efficiencies and bring about organizational change. Ability to articulate a vision and provide forward-thinking strategic direction in a rapidly changing publishing environment. Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills: demonstrated ability to work collegially; to write and speak effectively; to inspire confidence and trust; to navigate intercultural differences with understanding and skill; and to maintain a positive and empowering work culture. Ability to manage and motivate a team of publishing professionals and to establish and maintain productive working relationships with all Press constituents, including the university’s administration, faculty, and staff. Imagination and entrepreneurial vision to find and support new ideas for books, book series, journals, digital opportunities, and new marketing and discovery tools. Strong knowledge of issues and trends in publishing, libraries, scholarly communication, open access, data sharing, digital/social media, and intellectual property. An understanding of the major challenges facing university presses today, such as title acquisition and author management, technology integration, digital media, and the need for effective staff and organizational development. Financial and managerial acumen, including experience with the budgeting process.
In addition to completing the application, interested candidates can send a cover letter and CV or resume to Jack Farrell at jack@jackfarrell.com.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. Quick Link http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/postings/46281 Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Jobs@Penn
   • Contacted by a Penn Recruiter
   • Referred by a Penn Employee
   • Referred by a friend or family member
   • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • Indeed.com
   • Other Internet Advertisement
   • Linkedin
   • Twitter
   • Other Social Media Site
   • Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
   • Diversity Association/Publication Website
   • Heard about it at a conference or career fair
   • Apple One
   • Recruitment and/or staffing agency
2. * What is your highest level of education completed?
   • Less than high school education
   • High School Diploma or GED
   • Vocational or Technical School
   • Associate's Degree or Two Year College
   • Bachelor's Degree
   • Master's Degree
   • PHD/MD/JD or equivalent doctoral degree
3. * How many years of experience do you have related to this position?
   • 0 to 1 Year
   • 1 to 2 Years
   • 2 to 3 Years
   • 3 to 5 Years
   • 5 to 7 Years
   • 7 to 10 Years
   • Over 10 Years

Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume

Optional Documents