Careers at Lee & Low

About the company: LEE & LOW BOOKS is the largest multicultural children's book publisher in the United States. We are committed to publishing culturally authentic diverse books that are about everyone and for everyone. Founded in 1991, we are family-owned and independent, which means we publish what we want and aren't afraid to take risks. Our books have won major awards including the Coretta Scott King Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the NAACP Image Award, and many more.

Lee & Low Books is an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to diversity within our books is matched by a commitment to support a diverse and inclusive workforce behind the scenes. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color; those who identify as disabled; and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Current Openings:

Marketing Director

We are seeking a passionate and creative Marketing Director to lead a small team in all aspects of book promotion and marketing strategies. This role requires experience in different types of marketing and publicity, with a special focus on the school and library markets. The ideal candidate is a savvy, collaborative, good-natured, creative leader, who will infuse campaign ideas with a genuine love of our mission: to create children’s books about everyone and for everyone.

About our company:
Lee & Low Books is a 30+-year-old mission-driven company based in New York, who is continuing to grow in the ever-competitive New York City publishing landscape. Over the years, we have earned a reputation for high-quality and groundbreaking books for young readers, with many of our titles winning major awards and honors. In a world that has become more politically divided, we believe diverse books are the bedrock of depicting a more compassionate and just world. In addition to our award-winning publishing program, the candidate will be joining a team whose past achievements include the viral Diversity Gap studies, and more recently, the Diversity Baseline Survey, which has become publishing’s largest and most widely accepted standard dataset for measuring staff representation in the industry.

Role summary:
The Marketing Director will report directly to the Publisher, and work closely with our sales and editorial team to deliver effective marketing strategies and think outside the box about reaching new audiences and readers. As a mission-driven company, we are seeking someone who is passionate about diversity, social justice, and equity, and is comfortable and confident as an outward-facing spokesperson. The ideal person enjoys engaging with authors, illustrators, agents, librarians, and nonprofit organizations, and who leads by example by exuding confidence, a cool head, and sense of humor. The Marketing Director must have the capability to think big picture, while being able to plan a comprehensive marketing plan that consists of standard book marketing practices, stretch goals, and a willingness to experiment. The office is currently operating in a hybrid work environment in the New York City area. Remote candidates will also be considered.

Responsibilities include:

Manage and work closely with a marketing associate and marketing assistant
Planning and attending virtual and in-person conferences and local book festivals (travel required)
Planning and managing marketing plans for frontlist and backlist titles with team
Overseeing blog calendar and blog content development with team
Author and illustrator event planning and support with team
Managing the ad schedule and budget; coordinating the creation of promotional assets and ads with team
Managing direct in-house team, consultants, and overall workflow of the marketing department
Collaborate with our editorial, literacy, sales, and data management departments on various projects and pinpoint areas of workflow and process improvement
Spearhead marketing projects and company initiatives
Maintaining author, book reviewer, and ad representative relationships
Participating in presentations, webinars, and panels on behalf of the company
Collaborating on website strategy and development with Publisher and team
Email marketing strategy and quality assurance
E-book and wholesaler seasonal updates with Data Management department
Seasonal catalog and brochure work with team

Skillset should include:

At least 7-10 years of experience in trade and/or educational book publishing. Director level or experienced marketing managers are encouraged to apply.
Belief in the critical value of diverse books
Knowledgeable in and passionate about issues surrounding diversity and representation; possess a willingness to defend these various causes related to diversity to the best of your abilities
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Photoshop, and CRM
Metadata and SEO experience
A strong writer and communicator
Extremely organized, self-directed, and a team player a must
Confident speaking in front of large audiences
Self-motivated, friendly, creative, and personable
Deep knowledge related to the latest strategies for all major social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Lee & Low Books is an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to diversity within our books is matched by a commitment to support a diverse and inclusive workforce behind the scenes. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color; those who identify as disabled; and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Compensation: Competitive full-time annual salary along with bonus incentives. Company benefits package include single coverage health insurance (including prescription drug coverage), 401K plan, and generous vacation policy.

How to apply: Please fill out this online form to submit your application.