Marketing, Sales, & Publicity Director Job at Inside Higher Ed in Columbia

Overview

Marketing, Sales, & Publicity Director for the University of South Carolina Press, located in Columbia, SC. The role oversees all aspects of marketing, sales, and publicity for scholarly and trade titles and leads a department within the Division of Academic Affairs and Provost.

Responsibilities

• Create, execute, and oversee all marketing, sales, and publicity strategies to distribute and promote scholarly and trade titles to wholesalers, retailers, and direct to consumers.
• Drive sales growth by ensuring strong market presence and adopting data-driven sales strategies.
• Work closely with bookstores and other key retail accounts in South Carolina. Manage house accounts and collaborate with regional sales representatives to reach sales accounts across the South.
• Develop and oversee publicity plans for all trade titles and/or guide the work of freelance publicists.
• Partner with authors to communicate marketing and publicity strategies.
• Forecast book sales and evaluate sales performance.
• Manage annual marketing, sales, and publicity budgets.
• Act as principal contact for and manage relationships with vendors, distributors, and other partners.
• Manage and oversee inventory and call reprints.
• Manage and inspire department staff, including performance evaluations, recruitment, and development of talents and skills.
• Collaborate with USC Press Director and other department heads to envision, develop, and execute strategic plans and process improvements.
• Serve on the Press’s Acquisitions Committee, contribute to cover design planning, and support the development of book projects.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree in a job related field.
• 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Five years of relevant marketing, sales, and publicity experience in publishing, scholarly communication, higher education, or related fields (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in all departments of an organization.
• Experience in planning and managing a departmental budget.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, digital marketing, social media, and database software (e.g., FileMaker Pro or comparable).
• Digital publishing expertise and ability to manage metadata with Editorial, Design, and Production teams.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior managerial and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage budgets.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Job Details

• Job Level: M2 - Managerial
• Work Schedule: Standard schedule 8:30am – 5:00pm with flexibility as needed
• Basis: 12 months
• Full Time; Hours per Week: 37.5
• Open Date: 08/29/2025; Close Date: 10/03/2025; Open Until Filled: No
• Salary: Starting Salary $65,539; Advertised Salary Range $65,539 - $75,000
• Location: Columbia, South Carolina

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition and Scholarships
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave and Professional Development Opportunities

Application Process

A cover letter and résumé are required to be considered for this position. Background check required after conditional job offer. Applications submitted by October 3, 2025 will be considered. See the posting for full benefits information and quicklink.

Quicklink for posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194164

About USC & USC Press

The University of South Carolina Press, established in 1944, is one of the oldest publishing houses in the American South, focusing on scholarly and regional titles and expanding into new formats. We publish in areas including South Carolina and Southern history and culture, African American studies, civil rights, etc., with Open Carolina as an open access platform.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender or gender identity, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.