Editorial Director

Sopris West Educational Services

 

Title:  Editorial Director – Math

Department:  Publishing

Classification:  Exempt

Location:  Natick, MA or Longmont, CO  

 

Purpose:  The Editorial Director is a mission-critical position fully responsible for the development and publication of successful new and revised Sopris products.  Recommendations and decision by this position effect significant investment of financial resources, and good decisions result in significant returns on investment to the organization. This includes the preparation of strategic publishing plans for designated product areas, negotiation of author contracts, construction of individual business (product profit and loss) plans with the inclusion of sales and cost budgets, and overseeing the successful publication of products. 

 Develop and execute a strategic plan that establishes market needs and opportunities for new products in assigned areas.  Assume primary responsibility for the success or failure of assigned Sopris products.Be fluent in all current math research and best practices and instruct and guide implementation of such practices into Sopris product.Identify market opportunities and potential Sopris authors, in consultation with sales, marketing staff and Program Directors when appropriate.Lead product launch meetings, contract and pre-launch, and product development meetings.Direct product development, revisions, and alternate editions. Negotiate favorable contracts with authors for new products and revisions. Respond to new product proposals as assigned.Establish and maintain strong author relationships on all products sponsored.Review sales histories of current and past Sopris products, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and recommend revisions accordingly.Assist Finance with constructing profit and loss projections for all products and product components.Solicit, analyze and summarize outside reviews on content and marketability of proposed and contracted products.Develop in-depth and astute knowledge of Sopris products in assigned subject areas as well as knowledge of competitionDevelop relationships with key reviewers. Actively schedule market focus groups to determine market opportunities, evaluate product proposals

 

Decision Making: This position demands extensive strategic decision-making labeled Programmatic, involving sound discretionary individual judgment.  Decisions will often involve the commitment of significant company resources, and subsequent return on the investment of such resources. While decisions will range from Process to Interpretive, this position may be in the sole position to understand a proposed product’s potential for Sopris, and to recommend the level of investment required to bring it to market successfully.

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:  Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the educational publishing process, and specific knowledge of educational issues and curricula in the at-risk community, especially Elementary, Middle and High School Math and behavior. Knowledge of addressing English Language Learners in math instruction is desirable. The ability to multi-task and prioritize is critical.  Both attention to detail and sensitivity to big picture or strategic issues are important. Good communication, people and negotiating skills are important for interacting with authors, the educational marketplace, and Sopris staff both within the Publishing Group and in other teams.  This position requires one or more advanced academic degrees in related areas (education, psychology, Mathematics). Prior educational publishing experience is desirable.

All interseted parties should email their resume and qualifications to humanresources@sopriswest.com