"Executive Director of Columbia University Press"

Position Summary

The Executive Director will provide visionary, innovative leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of the publishing program. The Executive Director oversees daily operations, fosters strong relationships across the University and with external partners, and ensures that the Press remains true to its mission of advancing knowledge about the world through essential writing and research. The Executive Director will build on the Press’s tradition of excellence while shaping its publishing strategy, exploring new opportunities for reach and impact, and strengthening the connection between scholarly purpose and financial sustainability.

The Press is situated in New York City, and runs a sales operation for its own books and for those of other publishers, primarily other university presses. In addition, it markets and sells books in North America for various international publishers. With Princeton University Press and the University of California Press, Columbia University owns and runs a sales group based in the UK which is responsible for selling and distributing books of all three presses in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Revenue for the Press is approximately $10.5M, and there are 49 employees. Direct reports to the Executive Director are an administrative assistant, Chief Operations Officer, Editorial Director, and Directors of Editing, Design & Production, Human Resources, Development, and Rights & Contracts. The Press resides as a unit within Columbia University’s Office of the Provost, and the Executive Director of the Press is appointed by the Provost of the University, reporting to the Vice Provost and University Librarian. The position is located in the Press’s New York City office, and relocation assistance is available.

Responsibilities

• Proven leadership in academic publishing: A successful track record in managing complex publishing operations with an academic focus, working with prestigious authors, and adapting to industry changes.
• Editorial excellence with a forward-thinking mindset: A deep editorial sensibility paired with a passion for innovation, committed to advancing knowledge while ensuring the Press stays at the forefront of industry trends.
• Digital fluency and adaptive leadership: Strong expertise in digital transformation, with a capacity to anticipate and respond to the impacts of AI and other emerging technologies on scholarly communication, ensuring that initiatives align with academic standards and trust.
• Operational expertise: An experienced administrator who can leverage the university’s unique position to drive progress, balancing tradition with forward-looking strategies.
• Creative partnership development: Skilled in identifying and cultivating new, non-traditional publishing partnerships, fostering collaboration across disciplines to extend the Press’s worldwide impact.
• Understanding of academic environments: Familiarity with university structures and shared governance, combined with the ability to navigate these dynamics while championing progressive changes in academic publishing.
• Financial acumen: Experienced in managing budgets and financial plans in support of sustainability, while advancing new revenue opportunities, including fundraising.
• Exceptional communication and donor cultivation: A compelling communicator with the ability to articulate the mission and impact of the Press to diverse audiences and translate a vision into philanthropic and external funding support.
• Inspirational leadership with a focus on the future: A future-oriented leader aligned with the Press’s mission, capable of motivating teams and advancing a culture of academic excellence, creativity, and continuous evolution.

Setting Strategy

• Visionary leadership: The ability to develop and communicate an inspiring vision for the Press, steering the organization through change while upholding its academic standards and mission.
• Data-driven decision-making: A strategic thinker who uses data and emerging industry insights to anticipate trends, make informed decisions, and steer the Press toward new and exciting opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Brings thoughtful innovation to the Press’s work, with attentiveness to emerging directions in the field and anticipating future opportunities in scholarly publishing.

Executing for Results

• Goal-setting and focus on impact: A leader who sets ambitious, creative goals and drives the Press toward high performance, consistently achieving new levels of impact.
• Agile leadership: Adaptable and resilient, able to lead teams through the complexities of an evolving industry and pivot approaches in response to emerging challenges.
• Integrity and transparency: A principled leader who approaches decision-making with integrity and foresight, ensuring the Press evolves while adhering to its core mission and values.

Leading Teams

• Talent development: A leader who attracts talented people with diverse skills and perspectives, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Self-aware and growth-oriented: Open to feedback, reflective about personal growth, and committed to leading by example, inspiring others to develop capabilities alongside the organization.

Building Relationships and Influence

• Emotional intelligence and collaboration: Builds strong, authentic relationships with key people inside and outside the organization, expressing empathy and using clear communication to influence and inspire.
• Building trust through performance and results: Inspires trust through ethical behavior and a commitment to deliver on strategic goals.
• Celebrating success and supporting new practices: Actively encourages and celebrates the success of staff and partners, creating a culture of recognition, experimentation, and shared progress.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience
• Proven leadership in academic publishing: A successful track record in managing complex publishing operations with an academic focus, working with prestigious authors, and adapting to industry changes.
• Editorial excellence with a forward-thinking mindset: A deep editorial sensibility paired with a passion for innovation, committed to advancing knowledge while ensuring the Press stays at the forefront of industry trends.
• Digital fluency and adaptive leadership: Strong expertise in digital transformation, with a capacity to anticipate and respond to the impacts of AI and other emerging technologies on scholarly communication, ensuring that initiatives align with academic standards and trust.
• Operational expertise: An experienced administrator who can leverage the university’s unique position to drive progress, balancing tradition with forward-looking strategies.
• Creative partnership development: Skilled in identifying and cultivating new, non-traditional publishing partnerships, fostering collaboration across disciplines to extend the Press’s worldwide impact.
• Understanding of academic environments: Familiarity with university structures and shared governance, combined with the ability to navigate these dynamics while championing progressive changes in academic publishing.
• Financial acumen: Experienced in managing budgets and financial plans in support of sustainability, while advancing new revenue opportunities, including fundraising.
• Exceptional communication and donor cultivation: A compelling communicator with the ability to articulate the mission and impact of the Press to diverse audiences and translate a vision into philanthropic and external funding support.
• Inspirational leadership with a focus on the future: A future-oriented leader aligned with the Press’s mission, capable of motivating teams and advancing a culture of academic excellence, creativity, and continuous evolution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree

Required Application Materials

Please upload a resume and a cover letter as a single PDF or as separate attachments in TalentLink. Your cover letter must address:

• Your interest in the position and Columbia University Press.
• Your qualifications as they relate to the executive leadership of a scholarly press.
• Your vision for the future of the Press.

Note: Applications submitted without both a resume and a cover letter addressing these points will be deemed incomplete and will not be reviewed by the search committee.

Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range: $210,000 - $260,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.