Publishing Programs Manager

Publishing Programs Manager
Full Time
Position Description
FALL 2020

ABOUT 826CHI

Mission
826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success. More information can be found at www.826chi.org.

Impact
During the 2017-18 school year, 826CHI served 3,500 students in 1st through 12th grades attending 111 Chicago Public Schools. Program reached youth in 52 of Chicago’s 57 zip codes. Through five writing programs occuring on-and off-site, 826CHi published 150 books of student writing. 826CHI is committed to equitable access to high quality writing and literary arts education for Chicago youth. Our programs support students from families who identify as low-income or who attend under-resourced Chicago schools.

Culture & Environment
826CHI is a creative organization that highly values collaboration, creative, and innovative thinking. Our work is grounded in goals set by our strategic plan and put into motion through collaboration. At 826CHI, we take both pride and joy in our work and operate with a high degree of professionalism. We encourage a culture of learning and highly value personal development; each staff member has a professional development plan and is encouraged to pursue relevant learning opportunities both within our national network and beyond. Staff members work both independently and as part of a team. At our base office in Wicker Park, we work in an open office space. 826CHI is willing to consider accommodations for different working styles. We encourage the use of flex time and prioritize work/life balance.

Commitment to Inclusion
As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826CHI recognizes the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion: We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service or disability. We strive to put our values into action through planning, decision making, and community building.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Role
826CHI is looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual who is excited to join a hard-working, mission-driven team that has a passion for expanding access to creative youth development in Chicago by leading our publishing programs and publication development. Showcasing the writing of our students is a top tenant of our work and mission; to provide professional publishing experiences, publications, and public art works that celebrate, affirm, and platform youth voices.

The Publishing Programs Coordinator supports all aspects of working with students and teachers to create and curate student writing for publication, publication management and development, and closely collaborates with the Communications Manager around book printing, book promotion and publication release events.

This position offers the opportunity to become deeply engaged in building systems and partnerships that directly support our mission and students.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate publication projects

Create and implement curriculum and serve as lead mentor for our Teen Writers Studio and Young Author Book Project.
Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to develop chapbook projects in our After School Tutoring and Writing program.
Lead expansive thinking about how 826CHI defines student publications (platforms, methods, processes) to best engage a wide range of stakeholder audiences.
Routinely communicate and build partnerships with publications volunteers, including the Design Cohort and the Editing Cohort
Supervise publications intern
Assist Director of Programs and Program Team in long-term publication planning
Works with Operations Manager to ensure retail space is stocked with publications
Works with Operations Manager to distribute 826CHI publications across Chicago
Builds partnerships with local booksellers and presses
Generates book making and publication resources for staff and volunteers

Support Organizational Marketing and Communications Projects

Work with Communications Manager on marketing and collateral as they relate to publications.
Work with the Development team to provide anecdotes and other key insights and information to share with donor audiences.

Additional Responsibilities:

Support organizational efforts to recruit, train, manage, and appreciate program volunteers and interns
Support other programs as needed
Support fundraising projects as needed

Reporting
The Publishing Programs Coordinator reports to the Director of Programs and is part of the Program Team. The Publishing Programs Coordinator oversees Publications interns and volunteers.

Requirements

Knowledge and expertise in curating and producing digital and print publications
3+ years experience in working with youth and developing and implementing arts curriculum
Experience in providing instruction within project-based learning models
Systems oriented and able to multitask
Proficiency with Adobe suite, mastery of InDesign and Illustrator
Proficiency with WordPress and Tumblr
Highly organized and able to coordinate multiple short and long-term projects
Results focused, solution minded, and proactive
Passion for youth development in Chicago
Knowledgeable about Chicago public education
Preferred: Knowledge of and experience in the literary/publishing industry and landscape