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- Tasks: Lead and manage Inpress, overseeing its success and financial health.
- Company: Inpress is a dynamic agency supporting independent publishers and promoting poetry in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a permanent role with flexible hours and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of literature while championing diverse voices in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in publishing or arts, with strong sales and communication skills.
- Other info: Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, with a minimum of three days in the office.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Managing Director is the senior executive position in the organisation, responsible for the effective management of Inpress and for its success, financial health and sustainability. We are seeking a visionary and strategic Managing Director to lead Inpress, the Arts Council England funded organisation at the heart of the UK’s independent publishing and poetry communities. Inpress is the UK’s specialist sales and marketing agency for independent publishers, representing over 60 innovative presses from across the UK and Ireland, connecting their distinctive poetry, fiction, writing in translation and non-fiction with readers and booksellers worldwide. It is also home to the Poetry Book Society. Founded in 1953 by T S Eliot to promote contemporary poetry, the PBS continues to introduce thousands of readers to new work each year through our curated poetry book club and poet selections.
This is a unique opportunity to steer a dynamic, values-driven business that champions bold literary voices, supports a diverse network of independent publishers, and brings poetry and literature to new and wider audiences. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, this role combines commercial acumen with cultural leadership and offers the chance to shape the future of two respected organisations with national reach and international ambition.
The role will include:
- Oversight of two successful commercial businesses, ensuring their continued success
- Lead the development and implementation of Inpress’s business strategy.
- Ensure the financial sustainability and effective financial oversight of Inpress.
- Provide strategic leadership in financial decision-making.
- Lead the organisation’s legal, financial and governance compliance.
- Manage successful funding applications, particularly to Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.
- Provide effective leadership and management to a team of seven people, including direct line management of four senior staff and freelance staff.
- Lead on all key negotiations and contract agreements with staff, commercial partners, suppliers, and clients.
- Manage and maintain contractual relationships with publisher clients, distributors, and other stakeholders.
- Stakeholder management of publisher clients, Inpress board, Arts Council England, key commercial partners.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Proven track record of senior management or leadership experience in the Publishing or Arts sector.
- Publishing industry knowledge.
- Outstanding sales and business development skills.
- Experience of business planning and reporting.
- Strong communication skills and experience of public speaking and presenting.
- Experience of managing and developing a highly skilled in-house team and freelance employees.
- Understanding of governance and experience of working with company boards.
- Sound financial management and operational experience.
- Experience of developing and managing complex partnerships and maintaining strong and productive relationships with key stakeholders.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne - minimum three days in the office
Contract: 4 days a week, permanent
How to Apply: Email a CV and covering letter addressed to Joanna Reynolds.
Inpress is committed to supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can succeed. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and seek to employ a workforce representative of the publishers and markets that we serve. Please let us know if there are any adjustments needed for individuals to ensure a fair recruitment process. For more details and a full job pack please visit our website.
Contact Detail:
BookBrunch Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Inpress: Managing Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the publishing and arts sectors. Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars to connect with key players and gain insights into current trends. Building relationships with professionals in these fields can open doors and provide valuable information about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Inpress and its mission. Understanding their values and objectives will help you align your vision with theirs. This knowledge will be crucial during interviews and discussions, showcasing your genuine interest in leading the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing teams and projects. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led initiatives or navigated challenges in the publishing or arts sectors. This will demonstrate your capability to lead Inpress effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on funding opportunities, especially those related to Arts Council England. Understanding the funding landscape and being able to articulate how you would secure financial support for Inpress will be a significant advantage in your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Inpress: Managing Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Managing Director position at Inpress. Familiarise yourself with their mission, values, and the specific challenges they face in the publishing and arts sectors.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in senior management within the publishing or arts sector. Emphasise your leadership skills, financial management experience, and any successful projects that demonstrate your ability to drive business success.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for independent publishing and poetry. Clearly articulate how your vision aligns with Inpress's goals and how your background equips you to lead the organisation effectively.
Showcase Your Achievements: Use specific examples to showcase your achievements in previous roles, particularly those that demonstrate your sales and business development skills, as well as your experience in managing teams and complex partnerships.
How to prepare for a job interview at BookBrunch Limited
✨Showcase Your Vision
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your strategic vision for Inpress. Prepare to discuss how you would lead the organisation and what innovative ideas you have to enhance its impact in the publishing and poetry communities.
✨Highlight Financial Acumen
Given the role's emphasis on financial health and sustainability, be ready to share examples of your experience in financial management. Discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that led to improved financial outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
The interviewers will be keen to understand your leadership style. Prepare to talk about how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in creative environments, and how you foster collaboration and growth among team members.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder management is crucial for this role. Be prepared to discuss your experience in building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including publishers and funding bodies. Share specific examples of how you've navigated complex partnerships.
