How can I help you?

Ever since announcing that I’m on the market a couple of weeks ago, actively looking for my next gig, I’ve already had some great conversations with people offering insights, connections, and leads. Every one of those conversations included a variation on a single question: “What do you want to do?”

While I’d like to stay in the media supply chain (books, magazines, events, libraries) because that’s where I’ve spent the majority of my career, I’m also exploring other industries where my creative and analytical skills and systems thinking would easily transfer to related content, marketing, and/or strategic roles. I’ve never been hung up on specific titles, especially because media roles are relatively underpaid compared to those with similar responsibilities in other industries.

The actual work and the mission it supports are far more important to me.

Ideally, I want to be challenged by interesting problems that need solving, while being inspired by a meaningful mission. And I want to do good work with good people.

Personal News: Open to Work!

I’m pretty good at explaining what I’ve done in the past, able to connect the dots as needed for a specific role I’m interested in, but distilling that into a simple pitch that describes more broadly what I’m looking for next has been the real challenge.

Strategic Planning? Yes, and… Content Strategy? Yes, and… Audience Development? Yes, and… Email Acquisition? Yes, and… Events? Yes, and… Project Management? Yes, and…!!!

The Ideal Role(s)

Exploring various job listings in different industries, I’ve found interesting roles that align with different aspects of my experience, despite being tied to a broad range of theoretically very different titles: Publisher; Executive Director; Content Strategist; Content Director; Head of Marketing; Marketing Director; Strategy and Operations Lead.

One of my all-time favorite industry colleagues called me “a slant fit” a couple of years ago, because I’ve had “such varied and diverse experiences” and “understand how the business works and what leads to success.” I’ve embraced that descriptor ever since, and it aligns well with my preference for “job crafting“.

The ideal role for me is something that leverages my full range of experience, but is centered on a specific outcome to ensure appropriate alignment with business goals and needs.

• Publisher: From strategic direction to editorial and budgets to audience engagement, I’ve touched almost every aspect of a publishing operation, on both the magazine and books side of the business. If the mission is focused on serving specific communities, I might be interested.
• Executive Director: Similar to Publisher, if the organization’s mission is focused and righteous, and its activities are primarily driven by the community it serves rather than external fundraising, I might be interested.
• Content Strategist / Content Director: An effective content strategy requires a deep understanding of, and respect for, the community you’re trying to engage. It also requires a flexible combination of editorial and marketing skills. If the mission is focused on serving specific communities, I might be interested.
• Head of Marketing / Marketing Director: Marketing is arguably the clearest throughline on my resume, and I’ve done it in B2B, B2B2C, and niche B2C contexts. The tools change, but the fundamentals haven’t. If the mission is focused on serving specific communities and a human touch is still valued, I might be interested.
• Strategy and Operations Lead: The hidden throughline on my resume, it’s where “a slant fit” is arguably the most relevant, and doesn’t lend itself to easy generalizations. If the mission is focused on serving specific communities, though, I might be a great fit.

So, How Can I Help YOU?

I’ve spent the vast majority of my career in media (primarily magazines and books, physical and digital), and I’ve worn a variety of hats for companies of all shapes and sizes. I’ve developed and executed subscription, marketing, and content strategies for a range of products and services; produced hundreds of live and virtual events for a range of audiences and business goals; and negotiated agreements with dozens of publishers, distributors, and individual creators.

I’ve been a scalpel, a Swiss Army Knife, and managed large and small teams across multiple brands and departments. I’ve been directly responsible for budgets of $50K to $4.5M, and played a key executive role in two different companies being successfully acquired for multiples on revenue.

If you have or know of something that might be a good fit, drop me an email or pass along my LinkedIn profile to anyone you think should know about me.

If you’re looking for some short-term help for your own needs, check out my consulting options and get in touch.

In the meantime, thanks for reading!

Header photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash