The posting
Scribner is seeking a creative, strategic, and commercially minded Backlist Manager to unlock the full potential of one of publishing’s most distinguished catalogs. Home to timeless literary works, modern classics, bestselling authors, and books of enduring cultural importance, Scribner’s backlist offers extraordinary opportunities to reach new generations of readers. The Backlist Manager will develop and execute an ambitious strategy for optimizing Scribner’s deep catalog. This person will identify books with renewed sales potential; conceive innovative repackages, new editions, and publishing programs; and create imaginative campaigns that bring fresh attention to both literary landmarks and contemporary classics. The ideal candidate will combine a genuine passion for books with strong editorial instincts, creative marketing ideas, commercial judgment, and fluency with sales data. This role calls for someone who views the backlist not as a static archive, but as a vital, evolving part of Scribner’s future. Key Responsibilities Backlist Strategy and Optimization
Develop and manage a comprehensive, year-round strategy for growing Scribner’s backlist across print, digital, audio, retail, academic, and direct-to-consumer channels. Utilize data -- sales history, market trends, inventory, pricing, formats, metadata, cultural conversations, and competitive publishing -- to identify untapped opportunities. Establish annual priorities for key authors, titles, franchises, and thematic publishing programs. Build a pipeline of short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives with clear revenue goals and measures of success. Monitor results and use performance data to refine future campaigns and publishing decisions.
Repackaging and Publishing Programs
Identify opportunities for redesigned editions, anniversary publications, format changes, new introductions or afterwords, reading-group editions, boxed sets, and other value-added packages. Conceive larger programs—including seasonal collections, author starter packs, thematic series, and other creative groupings—that encourage discovery across the Scribner list. Ensure that new editions feel relevant and inviting to contemporary readers while honoring the literary significance and distinctive history of each work.
Campaign Development
With the Scribner team, create inventive campaigns that breathe new life into Scribner’s timeless literary gems and modern classics via opportunities tied to anniversaries, adaptations, holidays, academic cycles, author milestones, awards, cultural moments, and emerging areas of reader interest. Find meaningful connections between frontlist and backlist titles, using new publications to renew interest in an author’s larger body of work.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Serve as the central champion and strategic resource for Scribner’s backlist. Partner closely with Editorial, Sales, Marketing, Publicity, Art, Production, Managing Editorial, Rights, Audio, and Digital teams to bring ideas from concept to market. Work with authors, agents, estates, literary organizations, and outside partners when appropriate. Present backlist strategies and recommendations clearly and persuasively to internal stakeholders.
Qualifications
Five or more years of relevant experience in book publishing, bookselling, marketing, brand strategy, media, or a related field. A deep appreciation for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, along with an understanding of Scribner’s identity, history, and place in American publishing. Demonstrated ability to generate original ideas and translate them into practical, commercially viable programs. Strong analytical skills and confidence working with sales reports, market research, consumer insights, and performance data. Excellent editorial, writing, communication, and presentation skills. Strong visual judgment and an understanding of how packaging and positioning influence reader discovery. Exceptional project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. A highly collaborative working style and the ability to build enthusiasm and alignment across departments. Curiosity about changing reader behavior, new retail opportunities, digital discovery, and evolving ways to connect books with audiences.
The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is part literary enthusiast, part creative entrepreneur, and part commercial strategist. They can recognize the enduring value of a beloved classic while imagining an entirely new way to present it. They notice overlooked opportunities, make unexpected connections across a catalog, and understand how design, timing, positioning, and storytelling can transform a backlist title into a newly essential read. Above all, this person believes that great books should continue finding new readers—and that Scribner’s extraordinary literary legacy can be both honored and reimagined for the future.
