Cokesbury Kids Director

Cokesbury; Nashville (TN); Remote; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cokesbury seeks a Director to lead the Cokesbury Kids program, overseeing strategic and daily operations for the publishing and education lines and driving financial and market success. You will supervise content development, editorial quality, and cross-functional collaboration to align with United Methodist educational standards and broader denominational reach.

The role requires senior leadership experience in publishing or religious education, with strong planning, budgeting, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, English, journalism, communications, education, religion, or related field.
• Minimum five years in publishing, religious education, business management, product development, marketing, or related area.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Cokesbury Kids team in developing annual publishing, marketing, and promotional plans to meet sales, expenses, and inventory targets.
• Direct editorial stages for 100+ VBS components from development to delivery to printer; manage manuscript development and quality.
• Coordinate with Business Manager, Marketing Manager, Buyer, and staff to create business plans that meet financial and market objectives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/related field

Job description

# Cokesbury Kids DirectorHot JobFully Remote • CORP - NASHVILLE, TN 37203## OverviewSalary Range$71,684.00 - $89,606.00 SalaryLevelManagementPosition TypeFull TimeEducation Level4 Year DegreeTravel PercentageNoneCategoryProfessional Services## Cokesbury Kids Director# JOB SUMMARYThe **Director of Cokesbury Kids** is the designated team leader for the strategic and daily operations and planning for UMPH-published Cokesbury Kids programs, with accountability for the performance of the business unit team in meeting the needs of markets served by the programs, improving present processes, developing new processes to accomplish the work of the team, and working with other internal units in support of financial goals for Cokesbury Kids. The incumbent supervises and coordinates Cokesbury Kids product planning, theme and content development, manuscript acquisition, editorial development, marketing, and business planning of Cokesbury Kids resources to serve The United Methodist Church and other markets.# ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT & AREAS OF IMPACT## Reporting Relationship & PeersReports to the Associate Publisher, as do:* Associate Editor* Associate Editor / Project Coordinator* Cokesbury Kids Team Lead* Editorial Assistant* Lead Editor* Media Editor* Production & Design Manager(s)* Production Manager## ## Reporting to This Job### *EXEMPT** Indirect supervision (7)### *NON-EXEMPT** Indirect supervision (1)### *EXTERNAL** Various contractors## Areas of Impact (as applicable)### *SALES BUDGET** $2.2 M### *DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET** $50,000 (portion of department budget this position administers)# RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE## Essential Job Functions### *PRIMARY** Leads the Cokesbury Kids team in developing and implementing an annual publishing, marketing, and promotional plan to assure achievement of financial budgets, targets, and objectives for sales, expenses, cost of goods, inventory levels, and net contribution.* Directs and guides the editorial stages of production for the 100-plus components of VBS from development through point of delivery of the product to the printer. Writes original content, directs editing of manuscripts, and manages their development through the editorial production process by analyzing structure and content, comparing formats and appeal to competitor products, and appraising and improving readability and format. Leads the editorial team in monitoring the biblical and theological quality and consistency of within Cokesbury Kids resources (with an emphasis on VBS), looking for both compatibility with United Methodist teachings and breadth that allows broader use by other mainline denominations.* Leads the theme and content development process for VBS and related programs, including customer summits and focus groups, story consultations, and other forms of research.* Coordinates with the Business Manager, Marketing Manager, Buyer, and editorial staff to create business plans that present product lines designed to meet sales and cost-of-goods targets, optimize inventory, and offer new products that fit audience market interests.### *SECONDARY** Works with the Marketing Manager to plan and implement competitive promotion and sales campaigns for Cokesbury Kids programs.* Conducts or supervises product-related workshops and training events as needed.*These essential job functions are not intended to cover all work details or the occasional performance of other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.*## Common or Complex Problem-Solving Challenges* Achieving the financial objectives for Cokesbury Kids programs in all areas* Keeping abreast of current trends in Christian education and children’s programming within The United Methodist Church, other constituencies and markets, and secular education markets in order to produce user-friendly resources that sell and are consistent with United Methodist theological and educational standards* Planning and developing, with the Cokesbury Kids team, dynamic programs and resources to meet or exceed customer expectations and specific UMPH sales and market-penetration goals* Directing time and available resources to manage more than 100 VBS components through development and production, on time and within budget, while maintaining positive relationships with creators, contract editors and content developers, and internal support units and assuring a high-quality product line* Working within UMPH-approved policies and business plans to establish schedules, achieve quality standards, and meet sales objectives for the team* Leading the Cokesbury Kids team in developing general product-line strategies and specific proposals for Cokesbury Kids publishing* Applying needs and interests of Cokesbury Kids market segments identified through research to product-line development## Authority & Accountability* Authority to collaborate, plan, develop, acquire, and market a range of Cokesbury Kids products to meet editorial, financial, and sales objectives* Authority to maintain knowledge of customer segments and marketplace trends and to cultivate specific segments in order to increase the customer base* Authority to develop, implement, and/or review annual strategic plans and individual product-line business plans in consultation with appropriate team members and leaders to support overall UMPH operational objectives* Accountability for collaborating, developing, and implementing an annual plan to achieve objectives for revenue, expenses, cost of goods, inventory values, inventory turn, net contribution, and other key operational and financial objectives* Accountability for collaborating with marketing and sales as they develop and implement marketing and promotional plans to achieve financial budgets, targets, and objectives for Cokesbury Kids programs* Accountability for meeting the editorial, financial, and sales objectives of Cokesbury Kids programs## Regular Contacts & Stakeholders### *INTERNAL** Cokesbury Kids team members and other UMPH cross-functional personnel from various units; Business/Buyer team; Marketing team; Sales team; Allied Products team; Digital Production Services; Core Function Managers – provides indirect direction to the Cokesbury Kids leads, media editor, editors, production and design managers, business manager/buyer, and marketing manager### *EXTERNAL** Contract writers, editors, content developers, and producers; internal and external reviewers/evaluators; United Methodist Curriculum Resources Committee; other external partners and teams as assigned# JOB REQUIREMENTS## Education, Experience, & Certifications### *REQUIRED** Bachelor’s degree in business, English, journalism, communications, education, religion, or a related field* At least five (5) years of experience in publishing, religious education, business management, product development, marketing, or a related field### *PREFERRED** Master’s degree* Current or previous participation in Christian education programs within a local congregation## Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities### *REQUIRED** Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of children’s ministry programs and Cokesbury Kids resources.* Strategic leadership* Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to manage a large cross-functional team.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to make presentations and lead workshops.* Excellent organizational and planning skills.* Excellent personal computer skills and intermediate proficiency with word-processing and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Word and Excel preferred).* Ability to travel as needed, with number and duration of trips to be determined.### *PREFERRED** Working knowledge of media and the incorporation of video, social media, and web-based programs in children’s ministry, marketing, and communication.* Working knowledge of sales and marketing practices and techniques.## AI-Enabled WorkplaceThe United Methodist Publishing House is committed to maximizing the impact of artificial intelligence by adopting and integrating AI tools across our work. These technologies are vital to enhancing productivity, fostering creativity, and strengthening decision-making. All staff members are expected to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with AI as part of their professional responsibilities. Core expectations include:* **Responsible AI Integration** – Leverage AI tools strategically to streamline workflows, generate actionable insights, and deliver exceptional outcomes that advance our mission.* **Critical Evaluation & Oversight** – Apply professional judgment and critical thinking when reviewing, refining, and validating all AI-generated content and recommendations to ensure accuracy and alignment with our standards.* **Continuous Learning & Innovation** – Maintain curiosity and adaptability toward emerging AI technologies, actively contributing to innovative practices within your area of expertise while supporting organizational growth.* **Ethical & Secure Practice** – Uphold UMPH’s commitment to ethical, transparent, and secure AI usage, ensuring all applications align with our mission, values, and community standards.**Equal Employment Opportunity**UMPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.