Job Description

The HSRC Publishing House is a leading publisher of innovative, research-based books from and about South Africa, Africa, and the world. Our original scholarly books cover the social sciences and humanities in South Africa, Africa, and the global south, ensuring the highest quality content through rigorous peer review by our editorial board. We publish under three imprints, HSRC Press, AISA Publication, and Best Red, and have established a strong global presence and brand recognition. Our direct sales and distribution representation spans three continents, complemented by worldwide online representation, allowing us to meet our public purpose and business objectives effectively.The HSRC seeks to appoint a dynamic and visionary Publishing Director to be based in Pretoria or Cape Town. This key leadership role involves guiding our esteemed Press to achieve greater success while fulfilling our public benefit mandate.This is a permanent appointment, and the successful incumbent will be appointed effective 1 February 2025.PUBLISHING DIRECTOR (1 Position)Ref. No: Dir: HSRC Pub 07/2024
Minimum RequirementsKEY REQUIREMENTS

• A successful track record in the publishing industry, with 5-10 years at senior management level.
• A Masters qualification in a relevant discipline; an MBA is advantageous.
• Appreciation for humanities and social science scholarship.
• Understanding of scholarly communication in the digital age.
• Experience working with institutions in other African countries to build partnerships.
• Understanding marketing, visibility, and dissemination strategies, including digital marketing and social media.
• Knowledge of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 (PFMA) and other governance requirements.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, people management, and mentorship skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesKEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and crystallise the strategic direction for the Press.
• Provide leadership in exploring new opportunities and trends within the publishing industry, including digital publishing.
• Oversee the management and execution of key publishing functions, including editorial, production, and marketing.
• Develop and manage budgets, including fundraising targets and financial oversight.
• Develop and implement operational systems to ensure HSRC policies and procedures compliance.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions and international partners.
• Implement and oversee marketing, visibility, and dissemination strategies to enhance the Press's global reach and impact.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team.

The HSRC offers attractive, market-related packages depending on qualifications and experience.Applications should include:1) A cover letter of motivation indicating your area of expertise, your suitability for the position, your goals, and the position you are applying for.2) A detailed CV that clearly indicates your highest completed qualification, work experience, and details of your citizenship.3) A Certified ID Copy.4) Copies of all completed qualifications.5) The details of three recent referees with telephone numbers, email, and institutional affiliation.The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements and who are SA Citizens by birth or descent and who black, female or disabledPlease note that applicants may be required to make a presentation pertaining to this position.Please register and submit your application on-line atApplication Instructions:

• Candidates can make use of their mobile devices or any browser to register on the Neptune recruitment site, as well as to make application for available vacancies;
• Candidates will be prompted to upload their documents;
• Attachments must be less than 1MB (here is an on-screen option to resize);
• The Neptune system will only allow you to upload 1 attachment. Please ensure that all documents are merged into 1 file before uploading.

Enquiries about the nature of the position, and NOT applications, may be directed to: Dr Glenda Kruss at email addressFor further information about the HSRC or the post, please consult our websiteClosing date: 21 August 2024. We encourage applicants to submit applications prior to this date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications.The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

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