Head Of Publishing

Job title: Head of Publishing

Location:  Midrand, Johannesburg

Salary:  Market related

Reporting to:  Regional Publishing and Services Director

Reference number:  HODP091024

Who We Are

Macmillan Education (part of Springer Nature) is a world class educational content and service provider.  As a trusted publishing brand in Southern Africa, we support learners, teachers, and institutions through a lifetime of learning by providing them with content in the most relevant, engaging and flexible formats.

Our passion for learning and our commitment to elevate education in Southern Africa to much greater heights is second to none, which is why Macmillan Education remains the number one partner in education in delivering innovative solutions that will drive learner performance and help educators and institutions to deliver excellent results.

Purpose of the Position

Macmillan Education – Southern Africa is seeking to appoint an experienced professional to the position of Head of Publishing to determine and manage the strategy for the applicable publishing division with overall responsibility for driving projects across area of focus. Identifying and researching profitable publishing opportunities within area of accountability.  

As the Head of Publishing, you will be responsible for leading a team to drive content creation and delivery. You will focus on identifying and researching profitable publishing opportunities, ensuring alignment with the Department of Basic Education’s requirements, and developing curriculum-driven educational materials that meet market needs. This is a pivotal role that requires leadership, innovation, and an in-depth understanding of the education landscape in South Africa.   

                                             

The Requirements

• A minimum of 8 experience in a management role in the educational publishing industry
• Degree in Education or background, including basic financial competence
• Teaching experience or teaching background
• Experience in leading and managing publishing teams and large-scale projects 
• In depth understanding of the Southern African Educational Publishing market, competitor activity and their products
• Strong strategic vision accompanied by tactical implementation abilities
• Able to quantify, identify and present levels of risk in new projects; maintain an open and flexible approach and quick adaptation to changes
• Experience of dealing and interacting with government at a senior level is a prerequisite

• Be a strategic thinker.
• A solid understanding of education in South African markets
• Be experienced in managing staff and budgets.
• Be skilled in researching and evaluating markets.
• Have a good understanding of legal issues in publishing.
• Be extremely well organized and able to work well under pressure.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate ability to lead change.
• Financial acumen
• Be willing to travel throughout South Africa.
• Innovation and creativity
• Ethical and compliance oriented
• Strong project management skills with strong print and digital pedagogical insight
• Strong digital content development background

The Responsibilities

• Determine, manage and implement the strategy for the publishing division in line with broader company vision
• Create and present to senior management clear strategic goals and long-term vision to justify publication deliverables
• Develop a plan for, and implement, market research, from which exact product specification can be derived, leading to commissioning and product development in all formats
• Keep up to date with the industry changes and government policy and ensure that we have good connections with key people
• Able to quantify, identify and present levels of risk in new projects; maintain an open and flexible approach to experimenting and testing new ideas / models to maximise learning, making best use of agreed investment; capable of analysis and presentation of results, with critical responses to successes or failure
• Conduct ongoing market analysis and research to understand competitive landscape, market needs, customer preferences
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of curriculum changes and key developments in the education department (DBE)
• Analyze curriculum changes and identify trends to build into the long-term publishing programme plan
• Identify viable business opportunities and initiate projects over a five-year planning cycle
• Develop publishing schedules based on plans and oversee details of project in initiation meeting
• Oversee management of Publishing programmes meets submission deadlines and profitability targets within project budget
• Build and maintain good lines of communication with key external stakeholders including departmental officials, district directors, chief directors and relevant stakeholders.
• Attend conferences, Industry meetings and book fairs with the view to building networks as well as increase market knowledge
• Use reporting and analysis to determine improvements, efficiencies and publishing innovations
• Determine the human resource requirements, in accordance with the expected deliverables and current capacity
• Lead the department in such a manner as to foster innovation and technological excellence
• Lead the department by managing appointments, promotions, and industrial relations issues in conjunction with the Human Resources department
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, managing risks and safeguarding the integrity of the published materials
• Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with publishing activities and develop risk management strategies and processes to protect the reputation and assets of the organization

The Successful Candidate Should

• Be a strategic thinker with ability to look at a wider business environment and explore ways to achieve business goals, ROI and efficiencies
• Experienced in managing staff and P&L management and budgets
• Ability to see both detail and big picture and to move easily between the two perspectives, seeing how they influence each other, in order to make appropriate decisions on cost, time and quality issues
• Be extremely organized and able to manage and drive the team in the right direction
• Be someone who demonstrates ambition for company success and inspires others to succeed
• Be an excellent communicator, including clear, imaginative, and persuasive presentation and influencing skills
• Maintain and establish key contacts with both internal and external stakeholders
• Be independent minded with an energetic and collaborative disposition
• Provide leadership and motivation to all employees and be able to mentor where required
• Demonstrate high integrity and comply with all Springer Nature Governance and Code of Conduct Principles

Applications: Candidates who are interested in this position and who meet the requirements, may apply.

NB: In terms of meeting the company’s goals with respect to Employment Equity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Closing date: 09 October 2024

Job Posting End Date:

9-10-2024