"Publishing Director"

Job Description:

• The University of Queensland Press (UQP)
• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 5 years
• Based at our Long Pocket campus with free parking

About This Opportunity

The University of Queensland Press (UQP), established in 1948, is a leading independent publishing house known for producing high-quality and culturally significant books. A four-time winner (including 2025) of the ABIA Best Small Press award and proud publisher of the 2025 Miles Franklin Award-winning novel, UQP is recognised as one of Australia’s most dynamic and influential literary publishers. UQP has launched the careers of many acclaimed Australian writers and continues to publish across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, Indigenous writing, and youth literature, gaining national and international recognition.

An exciting opportunity exists for a Publishing Director to lead UQP’s publishing strategy and program, acquiring new titles for the adult list and managing the publishing team, while maintaining UQP’s high profile throughout industry, government and community.

For more information about this opportunity, please view the complete appointment booklet.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Publishing Director with relevant tertiary qualifications or experience at a senior publishing level or an equivalent combination of qualifications and workplace experience. You will bring a strong track record of managing teams at an executive level, leading change, and nurturing a collaborative, high-performing culture within a small and agile environment.

You will possess deep knowledge of national and international publishing trends across both trade and university press sectors, alongside demonstrated success in commissioning, developing, and publishing commercially viable and diverse books. The role requires strong commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting and securing external funding, as well as fluency with contemporary publishing tools and technologies. Exceptional communication skills, the ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships, and a willingness to engage in out-of-hours reading, travel, and broader organisational activities are essential.

Enquiries

If you’d like to have a confidential discussion, please contact Madonna Duffy at madonna.duffy@uqp.com.au or Caitlin Savage via talent@uq.edu.au.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks, and other role-specific requirements. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

Relocating from interstate or overseas? We may support you with obtaining employer-sponsored work rights and a relocation support package. You can find out more about life in Australia’s Sunshine State here.

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close: Tuesday 24 February at 11.00pm AEST (R-60333).