The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Publications provides strategic leadership and portfolio oversight for AOTA’s integrated publishing program, including print, digital, and hybrid content products. This role is accountable for aligning publishing strategy with organizational priorities and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, financially sustainable, and member-relevant content across platforms.

The Director leads the overall publishing portfolio strategy- including editorial direction, product lifecycle management, vendor strategy, financial stewardship, and digital innovation. This role is responsible for ensuring AOTA’s publications evolve to meet changing member needs, market conditions, and digital transformation opportunities.

This position serves as a key strategic partner to leadership in shaping AOTA’s knowledge dissemination strategy and ensuring governance, consistency, and performance across publications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT (Remote/Hybrid):

• This role offers a remote work environment with hybrid options working from AOTA’s Bethesda, Maryland headquarters.
  • Occasional travel may be required to attend conferences, meetings, or organizational events.

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management

• Lead strategy, planning, and prioritization of AOTA’s publications portfolio, including AJOT, OT Practice, AOTA Press, Exam Prep, and related digital products
• Develop annual publishing strategy, operating plans, and budgets aligned with organizational priorities
• Evaluate and evolve the portfolio to ensure relevance, impact, and financial sustainability
• Partner with executive leadership to align publications strategy with broader organizational initiatives
• Use data, market trends, and member insights to inform strategic decisions

Editorial & Content Strategy Oversight

• Provide strategic direction for editorial standards, quality, and content integrity across all publications
• Oversee content development pipelines, acquisitions, and product ideation
• Guide repurposing and transformation of content into new formats (digital learning, bundles, modular offerings, etc.)
• Partner with editorial leadership (e.g., Managing Editor roles) to ensure executional alignment and workflow efficiency
• Establish quality assurance standards for print and digital publishing outputs

Digital Transformation & Product Innovation

• Lead publishing innovation through digital platforms, tools, and emerging technologies
• Partner with digital/web teams to enhance content delivery systems and user experience
• Identify and develop new revenue-generating products, partnerships, and licensing opportunities
• Oversee strategic evolution of Exam Prep and other digital learning tools to ensure external alignment and market relevance
• Advance new models for content monetization, access, and distribution

Operations, Production & Vendor Management

• Oversee production and delivery systems for print and digital publications to ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency
• Direct vendor strategy including printers, designers, platform providers, and distribution partners
• Lead RFP processes, contract negotiation strategy, and supplier relationship management
• Ensure operational compliance across distribution, fulfillment, inventory, and publishing systems
• Set standards for inventory strategy, reprints, and lifecycle management of print assets

Financial Oversight & Business Management

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for publications and press functions
• Monitor financial performance, including revenue, costs, and product profitability
• Evaluate financial viability of new and existing publishing initiatives
• Oversee pricing strategy for books, licensing, and rights agreements
• Use key performance indicators to inform strategic decisions and portfolio optimization

Marketing, Distribution & External Partnerships

• Oversee strategic marketing direction for publication launches and ongoing product promotion
• Partner with communications and digital teams to maximize visibility and engagement
• Manage external distribution partnerships (e.g., EBSCO, Eurospan, CAOT, and others)
• Represent AOTA Publications at conferences and external engagements to support visibility and partnerships
• Support alignment between publications strategy and sales enablement efforts

Compliance, Administration & Rights Management

• Oversee copyright, licensing, and rights management strategy, including CCC relationships
• Ensure compliance with Library of Congress registration, author agreements, and publishing contracts
• Oversee governance of author payments, royalties, and related financial documentation
• Maintain oversight of publishing system integrity, fraud monitoring, and order governance

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Publishing, Media, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in publishing, association management, or content/product leadership
• Demonstrated success leading multi-channel publishing portfolios (print and digital)
• Strong experience in editorial strategy, product development, and content lifecycle management
• Experience with vendor strategy, contract negotiation, and RFP processes
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, and revenue models
• Experience with digital content platforms, publishing systems, or learning technologies strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stream publishing or content operations with strategic accountability
• Proven experience operating through indirect leadership structures (e.g., managing editors, contractors, cross-functional partners)
• Strong capability in defining operating models, delegating execution, and establishing clear accountability structures across teams
• Experience aligning cross-functional stakeholders around shared publishing, product, and organizational priorities
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders in support of enterprise publishing and product strategy
• Demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and lead senior-level staff and high-performing teams

About American Occupational Therapy Association

About AOTA Work with us! Want to be part of a dynamic team? AOTA's staff supports the professional interests of occupational therapy practitioners. From seasoned occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in our Practice Department, to lobbyists and advocates on Capitol Hill, staff skills and talents advance occupational therapy in a variety of ways. EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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