Room magazine is seeking a new publisher!
The publisher is responsible for overseeing Room’s finances, grant writing, circulation, distribution, sales, and event programming. Alongside the managing editor, the publisher makes major operational decisions and co-leads Room’s small team of staff and contractors.
About the Job
This permanent, full-time position commences July 8th, 2024. The successful candidate will receive two weeks of paid, full-time training before fully transitioning into the role on July 19th.
The publisher position is primarily work-from-home, but the publisher is the sole team member responsible for banking and magazine circulation, and as such must make weekly visits to Vancouver locations such as Room’s office in Mount Pleasant, a P.O. box in South Granville, and Vancity and Canada Post locations. These tasks are required for Room to be able to operate, so this is non-negotiable. This position also has some in-person, Vancouver-based event duties.
The office has desks and a kitchenette for optional office work. The publisher must attend regular online meetings, including weekly check-ins with the managing editor, bi-monthly staff meetings, monthly board meetings, and quarterly editorial meetings. The publisher must be able to carry packages for shipping and occasionally move boxes of magazines of up to 20kg.
Compensation:
- $22.37/h, 34 hours per week
- Comprehensive benefits after three months (including vision, major dental, and parahealth)
- Flexible working hours
- Highly flexible vacation policy and remote work policy
- Professional development opportunities
Room is currently seeking a Living Wage for Families BC certification. See their site and benefits calculator for more information.
Key Responsibilities:
Production, Circulation, Distribution, and Sales
- Oversee standards for production and collaborate with the managing editor on initiatives to update production schedules and practices
- Proofread each issue of Room
- Manage web sales and submittable sales
- Manage Room’s subscriber database
- Track circulation statistics
- Communicate sales and circulation insights regularly with the Marketing Lead to maintain overall sales health
- Track inventory
- Liaise with the printer and distributors
- Mail out all back issue and anthology orders that come through the Room webstore and Submittable
- Pick up and sort mail
Finances & Grants
- Create and manage the organizational budget, with input from the board and managing editor
- Apply for core and project grants to fund Room activities
- Manage and reconcile chequing, credit, and PayPal accounts monthly
- File GST quarterly
- Prepare finances for accountant in preparation for fiscal year-end
- Occasionally: manage fundraising efforts
Leadership
- Maintain an active presence and foster relationships in the literary community across Canada
- Check and respond to emails in a timely manner
- Develop and maintain the Room brand in collaboration with the managing editor and marketing lead
- With the managing editor, co-manage Room’s small team of part-time staff/contractors
- Collaborate with fellow leaders in Room’s partner organizations (see Indigenous Brilliance, Unbound Reading Series, and Hush Harbour)
Project Management & Events
- Manage Room launch events and/or alternative issue launch promotional activities
- Facilitate Room special programming (past examples of special programming include: Mentor-in-Residence program, 40th anniversary anthology, workshop series)
- Manage the Patreon membership program
- Table at markets in Vancouver throughout the summer and fall, such as Word Vancouver, Vancouver Dyke March, Car Free Days events, Made in the 604 markets, and events from our partners
- Manage a small group of event volunteers
Who We Are Looking For
Our ideal candidate will be passionate about Room’s mandate, which is to serve writers, editors, and artists of marginalized genders, including cis and trans women, trans men, Two-Spirit, and nonbinary people, with a special focus on the voices of 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, and disabled writers, editors, and artists. A strong commitment to anti-oppressive practices in publishing is a requirement. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the Canadian literary scene, familiarity with Canadian arts nonprofits, and previous work experience in finance, grant writing, and/or circulation.
Applicants must be self-starters comfortable with self-directed work and taking initiative. We are seeking someone who has experience in creating and maintaining a budget, managing large data sets, communicating with vendors and customers, and facilitating community programming and events. Knowledge of the Canadian literary community is expected, and familiarity with CanLit journal publishing is an asset.
Room emphasizes robust training, resources, and circular mentorship. We encourage applicants not to self-reject for not meeting all qualifications, and to consider their transferable skills when applying. The publisher works closely with the managing editor, the treasurer, and the rest of the board, and the outgoing publisher will remain on the Growing Room Collective and provide transitional support.
Key qualifications:
- Experience with self-directed work and project management, and demonstrated ability to take initiative
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Strong organizational, time management, scheduling, and project management skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with internal and external partners
- Strong grasp of Excel and Google Sheets
- Experience with organizational budgets and accounting
- Strong commitment to Room’s anti-oppressive mandate
- Strong knowledge of the Canadian literary and publishing scenes
Nice-to-haves:
- Strong asset: experience on grant assessment committees
- Experience in magazine production, with a preference for literary magazine experience, including circulation and finance
- Experience in Canadian arts nonprofits
- Driver’s license for use of the company Modo account
- Familiarity with some or all of the following software programs: Submittable, Slack, Trello, Quickbooks, Canva, Adobe, InDesign, Box, Zoom, PayPal, CADAC, WordPress
- Experience in feminist organizations, collectives, and collaborative spaces
- Experience with flat leadership structures
Applicants who fit Room’s mandate will be prioritized. Please forward your resume and cover letter to the current publisher, Nara Monteiro, at publisher@roommagazine.com. Applications for the position must be received by June 25th, 2024, and interviews will take place in early July.
