OPERATIONS ASSISTANT - UK OFFICE

Full time / Hybrid (London) / £27,000 per year.

The London office of Verso Books, the leading independent radical publisher, is looking for an Operations Assistant to develop our expanding operations requirements. Responsibilities include updating our data feeds, creating digital assets, including ebooks and short run printing, sales reporting and assisting in the monitoring of our costs. This is a role that would suit someone keen to be involved in, and learn about, a wide variety of aspects of the publishing process and who is comfortable working with large volumes of data. The ideal candidate for this role will be able to quickly adapt to new processes while always thinking about how existing processes can be improved.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Updating our internal and external data feeds.
• Ebook and Audiobook manufacture and distribution.
• Setting up and distributing our extensive backlist in print on demand programs.
• Assisting in the developing, updating and processing of sales reports.
• Assisting in the monitoring of our costs.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Knowledge of MS Office and Google Work Space.
• Excellent understanding of Excel.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Attention to detail and problem solving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive and solutions oriented.
• Proactive, efficient and initiative taking.
• Adaptable to the use of new/unfamiliar software and platforms.
• Awareness of publishing metadata requirements - experience of Virtusales Biblio platform would be an advantage.
• Previous experience of a publishing environment highly desirable, but not absolutely essential.
• Knowledge of, and interest, in Verso's publishing program would be an advantage.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• 30 Days Annual Leave; office closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day; Summer Hours every Friday from start of June to end of August.
• Life Assurance and Employee Assistance Programme.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. 

APPLICATION

Please submit a clearly identified covering letter and CV (as attachments) by email to opportunities@verso.co.uk by Sunday March 24th 2024, with the subject: OPERATIONS ASSISTANT.

Sales and Marketing Manager

Location: New York Area

Position Overview:

The Sales and Marketing Manager will directly report to the Director of Operations and will be instrumental in shaping Verso's marketing strategy to drive revenue growth in North American markets. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader with a proven track record in sales, marketing management, market analysis, and strategic planning. This position offers a hybrid work model based in New York. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and manage the relationship with our distributor, Penguin Random House, overseeing all aspects.
• Spearhead all sales conference presentations and collateral materials.
• Conduct comparative title research and provide estimated sales projections during acquisition processes.
• Develop and monitor the trade sales strategy for North America, setting expectations, targets, and schedules to ensure profitable book acquisitions.
• Deliver comprehensive sales reports and analytics to assess Verso’s performance against targets and inform strategic decisions.
• Recommend and implement pricing strategy adjustments based on sales data in collaboration with senior management.
• Execute strategies to bolster Verso’s presence in the academic market, including outreach to institutions, course adoptions, and partnerships with libraries and college bookstores.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing Department to support promotional activities and campaigns.
• Work with stakeholders on inventory management, including providing feedback on profit and loss statements and print runs.
• Collaborate with the Art Director to oversee the production of book covers aligned with market trends and brand identity.
• Foster and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders, including publishers, booksellers, authors, journalists, and industry influencers.
• Plan and coordinate participation in industry events, conferences, and book fairs.
• Manage and monitor distribution costs, including those for the Verso Book Club North American Sales.
• Handle metadata at the TI creation stage and update as needed, including writing sales copy, keywords, keynotes, and marketing plans.

Required:

Familiarity with our list and the broader markets we publish into.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; 

• Master’s degree preferred, OR a minimum of 4 years of experience in marketing management within the publishing industry.
  
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities.
  
• Experience with MyHouse or PRH systems is a plus.
  
• Proficiency in sales analytics tools and CRM software.

 

Think you’re right for the job? These qualifications are preferred not required, please apply if you think you’d be a good fit!

What We Offer:

Salary between $72,000 - $82,000 depending on experience.

Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and 25 days paid time off, in addition to holidays. 26 weeks paid parental leave.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter demonstrating your knowledge of Verso's list and why you want to work for Verso to hiring@versobooks.com, using "Sales and Marketing Manager Application" as the subject line.

Verso is an equal opportunity employer, celebrating diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.