📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Backlist & Brand Director (Open to remote)
🔹 Company: Penguin Random House LLC
🔹 Location: New York, New York, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: May 6, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading backlist strategy for the Christian division
- Repackaging and reissuing brand author backlist
- Identifying Christian marketplace trends for backlist promotion
- Cultivating relationships with key brand partners and lead backlist authors
- Working closely with marketing and sales to lead brand campaigns on select titles
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong project management skills, and a deep understanding of the Christian publishing market.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Leads backlist strategy for Christian division
✅ Repackages brand backlist – works with Publisher, editors, sales, and marketing to repackage and reissue brand author backlist
✅ Identifies Christian marketplace trends for backlist promotion
✅ Cultivates relationships with key brand partners and lead backlist authors
✅ Works with publisher, editors, and agents on copyright terminations, license renewals, and subsequent reissues
✅ Works closely with marketing and sales, leads brand campaigns on select titles
✅ Looks at pricing, copy, digital content, inventory, keywords for backlist optimization
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication and project management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field
Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience in marketing, branding, or sales; publishing experience preferred
Required Skills:
- Proven track record in marketing, branding, or sales
- Interest in or knowledge of the Christian marketplace
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and multitask
- Detail-oriented
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Desire to learn new systems and run reports
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the publishing industry
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: While publishing experience is preferred, candidates with relevant marketing or branding experience in other industries may also be considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $95,000 - $115,000 per year
Benefits:
- Medical/Prescription drug insurance
- Dental
- Vision
- Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
- Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k)
- Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Life/AD&D Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Student Loan Repayment Program
- Educational Assistance
- Generous paid time off
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is specific to this particular open position and takes into account various factors including the individual's relevant experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Penguin Random House is a leading adult and children's publishing house, publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages. They are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process.
Company Size: Penguin Random House has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Penguin Random House was founded in 1930, with a rich history and extensive backlist of titles.
Company Description:
- Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom, and many other regions around the world.
- They publish a broad range of Christian authors, including John Mark Comer, Mark Batterson, Michael Todd, and Joni Eareckson Tada.
- The Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group includes the flagship imprints of Waterbrook & Multnomah.
Company Specialties:
- Publishing
- Marketing
- Sales
- Branding
Company Website: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/
ASSUMPTION: Penguin Random House is a well-established publisher with a strong presence in the Christian publishing market.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Publisher of the Christian division.
Work Arrangement: This role is open to remote work, with the possibility of occasional on-site meetings.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the company
- Opportunities to work with a wide range of authors and teams
- Chance to gain experience in various aspects of publishing, marketing, and branding
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of authors and teams, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Penguin Random House has offices in various locations worldwide, with this role based in New York, New York.
Office Location(s): One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London, SW11 7BW, GB; 1450 Broadway, New York, New York NY 10018, US
Geographic Context:
- New York City is a major publishing hub, with numerous opportunities for networking and professional development
- The city offers a diverse range of cultural and recreational activities
- New York has a competitive job market, with many publishing and media companies based in the city
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with the possibility of occasional overtime or flexible hours.
ASSUMPTION: Working in New York City provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as access to a wide range of cultural and recreational activities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Publisher
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing and branding expertise
- Understanding of the Christian publishing market
- Communication and project management skills
- Cultural fit with the company and team
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing, branding, and publishing experience
- Demonstrate your understanding of the Christian publishing market and the specific needs of the role
- Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with various teams and departments
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving and project management skills
ATS Keywords: Backlist, Brand Director, Christian publishing, marketing, branding, sales, project management, publishing, author relationships, campaign management, trend analysis
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's marketing and branding expertise, understanding of the Christian publishing market, and ability to work collaboratively with various teams and departments.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Mailchimp, HubSpot, Marketo)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Zoho CRM, HubSpot CRM)
- Publishing-specific software (e.g., InDesign, Adobe Creative Suite)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality and excellence in execution
- Innovation and creativity
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
- Collaborative and team-oriented culture
- Strong focus on results and performance
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a strong understanding of the Christian publishing market and its trends?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented culture, and are you able to manage multiple projects simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Penguin Random House values candidates who are passionate about books, have a strong work ethic, and are able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with various teams and departments to coordinate brand campaigns and backlist optimization
- Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the Christian publishing market
- Occasional travel for on-site meetings and events
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges in terms of managing multiple projects and deadlines, as well as staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the Christian publishing market.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Backlist & Brand Director vs. Senior Marketing Manager: The former role focuses more on backlist strategy and optimization, while the latter role may have a broader scope, including new releases and frontlist marketing.
- Christian publishing vs. General market publishing: Christian publishing may have unique market dynamics and audience preferences, requiring specific expertise and understanding.
- Backlist & Brand Director vs. Author Brand Manager: The former role has a broader scope, encompassing multiple imprints and authors, while the latter role may focus on a single author or a smaller group of authors.
ASSUMPTION: While these roles share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of scope, focus, and required expertise.
📝 Sample Projects
- Repackaging and reissuing the backlist of a bestselling Christian author, such as John Mark Comer or Mark Batterson, to capitalize on their existing popularity and reach new audiences
- Identifying trends in the Christian publishing market and developing targeted marketing campaigns to capitalize on emerging opportunities
- Optimizing the backlist performance of a mid-list Christian author by analyzing pricing, copy, digital content, inventory, and keywords, and implementing data-driven strategies to improve sales and visibility
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and initiatives that the Backlist & Brand Director may undertake in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Christian division?
- How does this role fit into the overall publishing strategy for the Christian division?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the company support the professional growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working in the Christian publishing market, and how does the company address these challenges?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling you to make an informed decision about the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing, branding, and publishing experience, as well as your understanding of the Christian publishing market
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving and project management skills
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
