Book Operations Manager - AEI

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a full-time, in-person book operations manager to join the Editing Services team. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

The book operations manager will be in charge of the administrative side of AEI Press, including communicating with printers and distributors, tracking sales numbers and production costs, and submitting files and metadata for publication.

This position requires strong organization and communication skills and the ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines. The ideal candidate has experience working in the publishing world, preferably working directly for or with a book publisher. Interest or experience in public policy is strongly preferred.

Qualified candidates should submit an online application at www.aei.org/jobs, complete with a cover letter, a resume, and transcripts. For your writing sample, please feel free to submit your cover letter or a written product that you’d like to showcase as a part of your application.

• Manage the administrative side of AEI Press:
  • Act as the main point of contact with our distributor (Ingram) and printer (Lightning Source)
  • Collect deliverables for new books and make sure all files and information are correctly listed in our distributor’s and printer’s systems
  • Build out production timelines and make sure all teams at AEI meet key deadlines
  • Prep and update book webpages
  • Advise on key production decisions, such as publication dates, binding and sizing options, and pricing
  • Track sales numbers and production costs
  • Evaluate internal processes and help improve workflow and internal communications
• Track all upcoming AEI books and keep the relevant people at AEI informed of those projects
• Review AEI Press’s backlist and set up key titles to be available through print on demand or as ebooks
• Coordinate institutional bulk orders of AEI books and fulfill all internal book orders
• Manage AEI’s book inventory and on-site library
• Help manage production timelines for other large publication projects as needed
• Perform administrative tasks for the Editing Services department as needed

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, political science, or a related field
• 3–5 years of previous applicable work experience
• Experience in the publishing industry, ideally experience working directly for or with a book publisher
• Knowledge of how the publish industry works and best practices for book production
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Interest in and familiarity with public policy
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a frequently busy and demanding environment
• Strong organization skills
• Excellent attention to detail