Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Basic Books Group, encompassing Basic Books, PublicAffairs, Seal Press, Bold Type Books, Basic Venture, and Basic Liberty, is dedicated to making the world smarter by publishing works of serious nonfiction by expert authors.

The Basic Books Group is seeking a skilled and highly motivated Assistant or Associate Director of Publicity to join our close-knit publicity team and to report into the Director of Publicity. Our ideal candidate is a self-starter and deeply experienced in promoting nonfiction titles across a range of subject matters. The Assistant/Associate Director will be responsible for overseeing the publicity campaigns for lead titles across imprints, helping to manage junior staff on the publicity team, and fill in for the Director of Publicity where needed.

This is a NYC-based opportunity. Please note our current hybrid model is 3 days in-office, 2 days working from home.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Publicizing approximately 10-15 books per year. This includes executing all aspects of a publicity campaign, including managing author tours and events; creating compelling press materials and pitch letters; booking national and local media; and securing author interviews, features, and op-eds.
• Maintaining and leveraging close working relationships with key members of the press (broadcast, radio, podcast, print, online, trades, etc.) and meet with them seasonally to pitch our catalogs.
• Working closely with authors on all aspects of publicity, including briefing them for interviews and accompanying them to local publicity engagements and events.
• Collaborating and communicating with key in-house departments, including Marketing, Sales, Editorial, and Subsidiary Rights.
• Managing and mentoring more junior members of the publicity team, including overseeing their work on campaigns, helping them troubleshoot issues and overcome roadblocks, and providing regular constructive feedback.
• Presenting at author kick-off calls, marketing & publicity meetings, sales conferences, and other strategic internal and external meetings.
• Filling-in for the Director of Publicity as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• A minimum of 8-10 years’ previous publicity/PR/communications experience and extensive media contacts.

• Broad experience and interest in working on serious, scholarly nonfiction subject areas, including science, history, social science, current affairs, and politics (across a range of liberal and conservative viewpoints).
• Extensive knowledge of the media landscape, including a wide variety of local, national, and new media.

• Previous management experience is strongly desired.

• Strong leadership skills and a proven ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with a keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and an ease with public speaking and presenting.
• Ability to escort authors as needed, including the ability to travel domestically with authors when needed.
• Demonstrated understanding of and an appreciation for the ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, etc.

How to Apply: To be considered, please submit both a resume AND a cover letter. We ask for a cover letter so that we can understand how your skills or experience can apply to our open role.   

As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.     

Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

The compensation for this position is $105,000-$115,000. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects. 

The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.   

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