Marketing, Sales, & Publicity Director

Full Job Description

Marketing, Sales, & Publicity Director

Department: PROV University Press

Advertised Salary Range:

Part/Full Time: Full Time

About UofSC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state.

More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort.

In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning.

All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

Advertised Job Summary

The University of South Carolina Press, located in Columbia at the state’s flagship university, seeks a full-time Marketing, Sales, and Publicity Director to oversee all aspects of marketing, sales, and publicity for USC Press books.

The Marketing, Sales, and Publicity Director will:

• Be a key member of the leadership team of USC Press, responsible for marketing, sales, and publicity initiatives in support of approximately 35 new print and digital books each year, as well as a backlist of more than 1,200 titles.

• Set annual budgets, forecast sales, oversee department staff, and liaise with the Press’s partners in distribution and sales.

• Demonstrate leadership and collegiality, and a track record of creativity, growth, collaboration, and innovation.

The University of South Carolina Press, established in 1944, is one of the oldest, most distinguished publishing houses in the American South.

Our editorial profile features critically acclaimed peer-reviewed books in South Carolina and Southern history and culture, African American studies, civil rights, Southern Jewish studies, literary studies, and rhetoric and communication.

We are committed to sharing select projects with the world via our open access platform, Open Carolina, and we are expanding into new publishing formats.

We publish regional trade titles in the categories above as well as cooking, nature, music, and memoir.

By publishing works that educate readers, expand scholarship, and provoke community conversations, we further the mission of the University of South Carolina.

We encourage applicants to read our vision, mission, and values statements (https://uscpress.com/about).

Primary responsibilities of the Marketing, Sales, and Publicity Director:

• Create, execute, and oversee all marketing, sales, and publicity strategies to distribute and promote scholarly and trade titles to wholesalers, retailers, and direct to consumers.

• Drive sales growth by ensuring strong market presence and adopting data-driven sales strategies.

• Work closely with bookstores and other key retail accounts in South Carolina. Manage house accounts and work closely with Southeastern Book Travelers, our contracted regional sales representatives, to reach sales accounts across the South.

• Develop and oversee publicity plans for all trade titles and/or guide the work of freelance publicists.

• Partner with authors to communicate marketing and publicity strategies.

• Forecast book sales and evaluate sales performance.

• Manage annual marketing, sales, and publicity budgets.

• Act as principal contact for and manage relationships with vendors, distributors, and other partners.

• Manage and oversee inventory and call reprints.

• Manage and inspire department staff, including performance evaluations and feedback, recruitment, and development of talents and skills.

• Collaborate with USC Press Director and other department heads to envision, collaboratively develop, and execute strategic plans and process improvements.

• Serve on the Press’s Acquisitions Committee, contribute to cover design planning, and support the development of book projects.

A cover letter and résumé are required to be considered for this position. A background check is required after a conditional job offer is made.

The salary range for this position is $69,913 – $79,000. Information on benefits for university employees is available https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/human_resources/benefits/index.php.

University benefits include:

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: The university offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance benefits.

• Retirement: The university offers generous retirement plans, including the South Carolina State Optional Retirement Program and a Supplemental Retirement Benefits Plan (with many providers).

• Paid Leave: New full-time employees accrue 15 days of annual leave per year which increases after 10 years of service. Additionally, full-time employees accrue 15 days of sick leave and receive 13 paid holidays per year.

• Tuition and Professional Development: The university offers excellent tuition benefits and professional development opportunities; over the years many Press employees have taken courses and earned master’s degrees, with the Press offering flexibility to accommodate learning schedules.

• Wellness and Work-Life Resources: The university is committed to supporting faculty and staff as they balance competing demands of work and personal life. Wellness opportunities include workshops, lectures, and in-person and online programs.

About Columbia, South Carolina:

Columbia is a vibrant, affordable, and growing city that is home to the University of South Carolina, Fort Jackson, and the South Carolina State House.

The university’s main quad, known as the Horseshoe, is among the most beautiful in the country. The downtown music and arts scenes are flourishing.

Excellent restaurants and shops line the city’s Main Street, Vista, Five Points, and Devine Street districts, while walking and biking trails track the city’s three scenic rivers.

Ideally located—90 minutes from Charlotte, 2 hours from Charleston and several of the Atlantic Ocean’s most beautiful beaches, 2.5 hours from Asheville, and less than 30 minutes from Lake Murray—Columbia has mild winters, stunning flora, and an array of cultural amenities.

Minimum Qualifications (Classified and Unclassified positions)

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in any field.

• Five years of relevant marketing, sales, and publicity experience in publishing, scholarly communication, higher education, or related fields.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in all departments of an organization, including acquisitions, editorial/design/production, and finance.

• Experience in planning and managing a departmental budget.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Superior managerial and organizational skills. Excellent writing, editing, and spoken communication skills.

• Ability to multitask and prioritize.

• Budgeting and financial management skills.

• Digital publishing expertise.

• Strong knowledge of databases and Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Excellent leadership and team-building skills.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Job Close Date

03/15/2026

Special Instructions to Applicant

A cover letter and résumé are required to be considered for this position.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time.

This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors.

Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by March 15, 2026 The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance

• Retirement Programs

• Paid Tuition

• Dependent Scholarships

• Annual Leave

• Sick Leave

• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)

• Paid Parental Leave

• Professional Development Opportunities

Clickhttps://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsc.edu%2Fabout%2Foffices_and_divisions%2Fhuman_resources%2Fcareers%2Findex.php&data=05%7C01%7CKURTRS%40email.sc.edu%7Ceca45df616784275e15908dab2a706ac%7C4b2a4b19d135420e8bb2b1cd238998cc%7C0%7C0%7C638018727680845870%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=j6sQGvabHDZHDmRBFwMrq8P8QCuDmChuJ%2FH5%2F8hDRUw%3D&reserved=0 to learn more about why you should work at USC .

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6901864

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

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