Current Openings:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
SALES ASSOCIATE
PHOTO RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
SENIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
becker&mayer! is seeking an experienced editor to join our team our Book Group as an Associate Editor. This is a great opportunity for an organized, detailed individual who is looking to join a fun, creative company. The Associate Editor manages all editorial work from concept to publication for a variety of book projects, and is the primary contact with the publisher (and the licensor, if appropriate) throughout the development process. The Associate Editor is the team leader on designated proposals and book projects, initiating and developing book ideas, detailing and monitoring schedules, enlisting authors, and writing content.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Leads the development process from concept to publication for designated book projects. Independently edits book proposals and projects, often providing written content, including cover copy and captions.
- Actively strategizes and explores options for developing content for multiple platforms.
- Collaborates creatively with team members in developing and delivering high-quality proposals and projects.
- Initiates and develops book ideas, for both content and packaging.
- Contributes proactively to new ideas and title development discussions.
- Contributes knowledgeably to developing the P&L for each proposal's framework for profitability.
- Researches and enlists appropriate authors, helping expand the stable of highly skilled writers.
- Sets and monitors editorial deadlines, making adjustments to ensure timely delivery.
- Details and negotiates the framework for author contracts.
- Initiates appropriate market and or subject-related research, i.e., researches competing titles, affiliated institutions, images/features, publicity opportunities, and more.
- Writes pitches, sell sheets, catalog copy, and other content in support of proposals and projects.
- Works with editorial contractors, such as copy editors, fact checkers, subject-matter experts, and others.
- Reviews and refines proposals developed by outside contributors.
- Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills including Mac OS X and Microsoft Office.
- Hands-on familiarity with e-book readers, e.g., Kindle, Color Nook, and iPad.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Strong editing ability, i.e., developmental, substantive, and line editing.
- Strong research skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong writing and grammar skills.
- Strong copyediting and proofreading skills.
- Ability to work efficiently on multiple projects within tight deadEye2talkilines.
- Ability to make timely decisions and to adapt when appropriate.
- Ability to solve problems.
- Ability to take initiative and to be self-directed.
- Ability to work independently as well as a "team" contributor.
Experience & Education Requirements:
- BA in English, journalism, or related area of study required.
- 2-3 years editorial experience required.
- Editorial experience with both adult and juvenile content desired.
- Book publishing experience desired.
- Packaging design experience a plus.
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Travel Required: None
Qualified candidates, please submit a cover letter and résumé referencing Associate Editor either to jobs@beckermayer.com or becker&mayer!, Attn: HR, 11120 NE 33rd Place, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98004. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements may not receive a reply from us.
SALES ASSOCIATE
becker&mayer!, a premier book producer located in Bellevue, WA, is seeking a Sales Associate. The Sales Associate is responsible for selling directly to a defined account base, researching and tracking market trends, presenting original ideas, participating in team meetings, tracking client sales, client communications, and coordinating logistics and production plus supporting the Senior Sales Manager.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Actively solicit new ideas from mutually agreed upon publishing partners that may lead to new proposals and shares such information with the Book Group.
- Assess ideas and prepare pitch to new and existing clients within North America including publishers, retailers and wholesalers.
- Actively solicits information on titles that are selling for publishing partners, industry trends, general consumer trends and the like (all of which may lead to ideas for new titles) and shares such information with the Book Group.
- Keep consistently aware of what is going on the industry -- what's hot and whats not and report to Book Group accordingly.
- Present original ideas for new proposals as well as those solicited from trade publishing partners and other sources at regularly scheduled meetings.
- Stay on top of what is hot and trending within the licensing world in order to develop potential projects for the Book Group.
- Create annual trade sales budget in conjunction with Senior Sales Manager.
- Obtain feedback from publishing partners to new ideas the Company may develop into proposals; communicates feedback from publishing partners to submitted proposals.
- Update Book Group on book sales trends that are solicited from publishing partners.
- Initiate and establishes client contacts at current and new publishing houses.
- Attend and present at regularly scheduled meetings with update on sales actively being pursued.
- Track all sales made to Domestic Book Group yearly budget and update regularly on progress.
- Act as sales point person on pending reprints to trade publishers on adult & juvenile titles; provides pricing to publishing partners and follows up to confirm sales of reprint.
- Attend major annual trade shows representing Book Group.
- Develop selling lists for potential publishing partners for new proposals.
- Oversee sales database; confirms costs with Book Group team members and sets pricing to be offered to clients.
- Project profit and loss results.
- Handle final sales negotiations, including overseeing of auctions, deal terms, and pricing with clients.
- Confirm sales with publisher and launches titles with Book Group.
- Manage materials including dummies, proposals, sell sheets and briefs for the Book Group once delivered to Sales.
- Meet regularly with Foreign Sales counterparts to ensure all Sales team members have a complete understanding of what is happening in the business and to share information with the intention of developing additional revenue sources.
Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proven customer service skills via phone, email and letters.
- Ability to prioritize as well as streamline daily work through strong task management in a fast paced environment.
- Enthusiasm and proven ability to build relationship with customers, outside sales representatives, vendors and internal employees.
- Ability to communicate details professionally with customers and internal management at all levels.
- Ability to compile and evaluate financial information & contribute to annual budget planning process.
- Possess a strong desire to learn and able to work independently.
- Team player with a willingness to contribute on all levels as a member of the sales team.
- Outstanding organizational skills and a high level of confidence, reliability and creativity.
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
- Computer proficient including Mac OS X and MS Suite.
Experience & Education Requirements:
- BA or BS Degree desired.
- Minimum 5 years prior inside sales experience in a consumer products company.
- Publishing industry experience a plus.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Travel Required: limited
Please submit a cover letter and résumé referencing Sales Associate either to jobs@beckermayer.com or becker&mayer!, Attn: HR, 11120 NE 33rd Place, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98004.
PHOTO RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
becker&mayer! is seeking a Photo Research Associate to join our Book Group. The Photo Research Associate is responsible for image research for diverse adult and juvenile projects. As such, the associate oversees photo, memorabilia, and archival document research for designated book projects in a cost-effective and creative manner. This individual serves as a liaison among licensing agencies; archives, libraries, and other institutions, as well as photographers and other image resources. The Photo Research Associate researches and requests images based on reading outlines and manuscripts for various proposals and projects, making appropriate decisions, acquiring images, obtaining permissions, and negotiating costs. The Photo Research Associate manages multiple projects and proposals simultaneously, communicates effectively with internal and external customers, is highly organized, is team oriented yet able to work independently and efficiently, and has an overall understanding and knowledge of acquiring, tracking, and managing image material and the costs and permissions that link to them.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Reads outlines and manuscripts with the mindset and eye for image pairing
- Decides, in collaboration with editor and designer, on images and documents to research and acquire based on manuscripts and client needs
- Researches images for multiple book proposals and projects simultaneously
- Researches relevant subject matter to help determine content for juvenile photo-driven titles
- Negotiates fees and tracks costs within budgetary parameters
- Sets up, tracks, and updates stock photo accounts
- Serves as the liaison among licensing agencies; archives, libraries, and other institutions; as well as photographers and other image resources to effectively communicate image needs
- Researches and documents permissions and copyright issues; details image credits
- Catalogs incoming photos and memorabilia
- Uses Excel to accurately log all image purchases and related costs
- Collaborates with other photo researchers on developing and implementing consistent procedures for archiving/image library
- Anticipates potential image problems or issues, and is creative and resourceful in devising alternate options or solutions
- Contributes thoughtfully to the book group's new ideas and title development discussions
- Collaborates with editors and designers in researching marketplace trends and subject-matter content as context for developing proposals
Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills including Mac OS X and MS Office, including solid command of Excel
- Proven ability to research and acquire images
- Experience with and strong knowledge of securing permissions, including photo and art copyright
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong negotiation skills
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to handle multiple complex projects under tight deadlines
- Resourceful, proactive, and self-directed
- Works well independently and also as a team member
- Ability to inspire and motivate others
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite
Experience & Education Requirements:
- B.A. in the arts or equivalent required (background in both the arts and English a plus)
- 2-3 years of relevant experience required
- Publishing-industry experience desired (editorial experience a plus)
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
Travel Required: Infrequent
Please submit a cover letter and résumé referencing Photo Research Associate either to jobs@beckermayer.com or becker&mayer!, Attn: HR, 11120 NE 33rd Place, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98004.
SENIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER
becker&mayer!, a premier book producer located in Bellevue, WA, is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager. The Senior Contracts Manager is responsible for negotiating and preparing agreements, amendments, addendums, and settlements in consultation with applicable parties that are drafted within an enforceable legal framework and reflect accurate deal specifics and company policies. The Senior Contracts Manager also reviews and comments on agreements drafted by third parties, maintains and updates boilerplate contracts as required by changes in procedure or law, drafts and/or reviews contracts regarding subsidiary rights, licenses, permissions, and contributor terms.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Drafts, reviews, and comments on becker&mayer! generated agreements and negotiates contracts originating with other entities.
- Acts as the becker&mayer! contracts liaison with publishers, licensors, and other third parties.
- Reviews and proposes agreement changes to publishers, licensors, and contributors based off sales terms and project related contractual obligations.
- Reads and reviews permissions in fully executed agreements with appropriate editor, designer, etc. for accuracy and interpretative value.
- Reviews substantive contract items with the company President prior to proposing or accepting terms.
- Maintains and updates all becker&mayer! contracts including but not limited to, publishing agreements, distribution agreements, license agreements, agent for supplier agreements, foreign agreements, contributor agreements, research and development agreements, amendments, addendums and purchase orders as required by law or company procedure.
- Tracks the status of unsigned contracts; ensures the notification of the appropriate staff member when fully executed agreements have been received.
- Maintains and enters fully executed contract information in the internal database and legal files. Update rights in catalog.
- Notifies applicable parties of relevant clauses in the agreements pertaining to them.
- Communicates interdepartmentally to ensure contract efficiency and adherence to standards and processes; works with outside counsel as needed.
- Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills, including Mac OS X systems and MS Office Suite
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Strong organization and planning skills
- Strong customer service and interpersonal skills with internal and external customers
- Outstanding attention to detail
- Ability to work efficiently on multiple projects within tight deadlines
- Ability to make decisions and solve problems on complex issues
- Ability to take initiative and be self-directed
- Ability to work independently and also on a team
- Knowledge and understanding of contracting principles and procedures along with intellectual property law
- Sound understanding of copyright and trademark law
Experience & Education Requirements:
- Sound understanding of copyright and trademark law
- Paralegal certificate required
- 5+ years related experience
- Licensing experience desired
Certifications: Paralegal Certification
Supervisory Responsibilities: TBD
Travel Required: None
Please submit a cover letter and résumé referencing Senior Contracts Manager either to jobs@beckermayer.com or becker&mayer!, Attn: HR, 11120 NE 33rd Place, Suite 101, Bellevue, WA 98004.
