Working title:

DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN PRESS

Official title:

DIR, UNSPECIFIED (8)(M94DN)

Degree and area of specialization:

BA degree required. Graduate degree preferred.

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

At least 8 years of management experience related to scholarly book publishing. Proven familiarity with all aspects of scholarly publishing including digital content initiatives and electronic projects. Proven success in fund-raising and development and the implementation of long-range planning. A comprehensive understanding of the current state of scholarly communications and demonstrated ability to meet the challenges facing scholarly publishing. Innovative leadership qualities including excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills. Evidence of representing a public-non-profit or university press to media, government and funding agencies, faculty, staff and the larger Press audience.

Principal duties:

Founded in 1937, the University of Wisconsin Press publishes scholarship, research, and educational materials of exceptional quality for a worldwide academic audience, works that serve the people of Wisconsin and document the region's heritage, and books that sustain a literate culture and foster an informed and engaged citizenry. Part of the University's Graduate School, the Press is integral to its research, education and outreach mission.

With a current staff of 23, the Press publishes on average 55 books a year, including titles in 18 series, as well as 11 scholarly journals; it has over 1800 titles in print. Annual revenue and expenditure transactions are in excess of $6 million. Specific strengths within the books and journals divisions include: Slavic Studies, Modern European History, regional culture and history, LGBT studies, African Studies and Jewish Studies. The UW Press was a recent recipient of a major grant from the Mellon Foundation to support publications in Slavic and East European Studies.

Position Summary:
The Director is responsible for maintaining the Press's reputation for scholarly excellence. The Director provides active and visionary leadership as well as day-to-day management of all aspects of the Press's activities. The Director reports to the Dean of the Graduate School and regularly consults with the Graduate School associate dean for arts and humanities and the chair of the Press Committee on matters of mission and policy. The Director, in consultation with Press Managers and the Graduate School, oversees the Press's long-range strategic planning process to insure both the highest standards of scholarly publishing and the continued financial health of the Press. The Director reviews the Press's mission and policies and implements changes as needed to reflect on-going developments in scholarly publishing. The Director implements and oversees vigorous fund-raising initiatives. The Director plays a central leadership role in the coordination of scholarly publishing and communications on campus and within the larger UW system. The Director serves as the representative of the Press to external agencies, professional societies, campus, community, and state constituencies.

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION

Application must be received by: APRIL 15, 2008

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and CV, and a minimum of three letters of recommendation to: Anne Mekschun, Graduate School Human Resources, 500 Lincoln Drive, 307 Bascom Hall, Madison, WI 53706-1380.

Unless another application procedure has been specified above, please send resume and cover letter referring to Position Vacancy Listing #58494 to