Publicist

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Publicist

• Location: Kelburn
• Type: Permanent
• Post Date: Thu Aug 1 20:35:30 2024
• Ref: 1774

• Do you have experience in book promotion, including event management?
• Have you got broad knowledge of New Zealand bookselling and publishing?
• Can you occasionally work outside normal office hours, e.g., evenings or weekends?

Mō te Herenga Waka - About our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is a global-civic university with our marae at our heart. This iho draws off our heritage and is further defined by our tūrangawaewae, in particular Wellington, Aotearoa, and the Asia-Pacific, all of which are expressed in our position as Aotearoa New Zealand's globally ranked capital city university.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Publicist to join Te Herenga Waka University Press (THWUP) on a permanent full-time basis. The role will be responsible for publicising THWUP and its publications to the book trade, media, and public. Key stakeholders include authors, the retail book trade, the media, the public, special interest groups and the university community.

Key responsibilities:

• Publicise THWUP and its titles to media, the book trade, literary organisations, festivals, and the public, and monitor results.
• Write, produce, and disseminate publicity and marketing material, including webpages, new title information sheets, newsletters, press releases and social media posts.
• Supply publicity copies, book information, and cover and author photo images, to media, book awards and festivals.
• Organise and run book launches, readings, and author visits.
• Provide support, guidance, and education to authors, before, during and after publication.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will:

• Be a motivated, customer-focused individual who can take the initiative, work without direct supervision, and respond promptly to external demands.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to influence others and manage conflict.
• Have strong attention to detail and self-management skills.
• Be a highly organised self-starter and natural relationship builder who relishes working autonomously as well as contributing positively to a high-performing team.
• Need effective time management and forward planning skills to balance meeting deadlines and maintaining a high standard of service.
• Need the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Thrive working with a diverse range of stakeholders.

This role is busy, challenging, extremely rewarding and interesting for the individual with the right temperament.

Key requirements:

• Broad knowledge and current experience of New Zealand bookselling and publishing.
• Direct experience and demonstrated skills in book promotion, including event management.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to produce professional standard publicity material in software used by THWUP (including MS Word, Excel, InDesign, Photoshop).
• Experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal office hours, e.g., evenings or weekends to run or attend VUW, publishing and THWUP events.

Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe – Why you should join our team

Our dynamic team is fast-paced and works in a collaborative style. We offer learning and development programmes for te reo Māori. This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident and outgoing person who wants a public-facing role in Aotearoa’s lively and creative literary community.

This role is primarily based onsite at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus due to the need to respond quickly to external demands.

Role Description

Closing date for vacancy: 15 August 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Fergus Barrowman, Publisher ([email protected] ). But applicants should follow all steps listed below.

Important - Application Steps and information

Download and complete the University Application Form , please include the position title, and reference number (Publicist, #1774). Then, please combine your cover letter, CV, and the University Application Form into a single file (preferably in pdf format). Click Apply and follow the process to enter your contact details and attach your combined file (CV, cover letter and the University application form) using the “CV/Resume” button.

If you are unable to combine your documents or have further supporting documents, please email these to [email protected] stating the reference number and position title from the advert in the subject line.

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