University Press Director

University of Kentucky; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The University Press of Kentucky, based in Lexington, KY, seeks an innovative Director to lead a 15-17 person team and set the strategic path for the Press’s publishing program. The role reports to the Dean of Libraries and includes relocation assistance as needed.

Based in Lexington, the Director will oversee acquisitions, editorial, production, marketing, sales, and partnerships while ensuring financial performance and alignment with university missions and statewide initiatives.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in publishing, business, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of related experience in university press or scholarly publishing.
• Strong strategic planning and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, operations, and revenue-generating activities.
• Experience securing grants, gifts, or external funding.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University Press of Kentucky, aligning publishing programs, operations, and priorities with the university and statewide consortium.
• Develop and oversee budget, financial strategy, and revenue streams to support priorities and sustainability.
• Represent the Press and cultivate relationships with university, statewide, and national partners; advance fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Lead Press personnel, supervise reports, set expectations, and promote accountability and collaboration across departments.
• Maintain knowledge of scholarly publishing developments and participate in professional organizations and university committees.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Fundraising

Partnership development

Staff supervision

Communication

Education

MA

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title University Press Director

Requisition Number RE55849

Working Title Director

Department Name 88400:University Press

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 51

Salary Range $95,826-162,947/year

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education MA

Required Related Experience 8 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification None

Physical Requirements Sitting and/or standing at a computer for long periods of time; performing repetitive motion tasks; occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds; effectively communicating with individuals from various backgrounds and varied professional levels; and intermittent job-related travel.

Shift Weekdays with occasional nights and weekends.

Job Summary

The University Press of Kentucky has a dual mission—the publication of academic books of high scholarly merit in a variety of fields and the publication of significant books about the history and culture of Kentucky, the Ohio Valley region, the Upper South, and Appalachia. The Press is the statewide nonprofit scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, serving all Kentucky state-sponsored institutions of higher learning as well as nine private colleges and Kentucky’s two major historical societies. The Press now seeks an innovative and mission-driven Director to lead a dedicated team of 15-17 and set the strategic path for the Press going forward. The position is based in Lexington, KY and reports to the Dean of Libraries. Relocation assistance is available. Lexington is a bustling and culturally rich city, which was ranked #15 by U.S. News and World Report among the Best Places to Live in America, while the University of Kentucky has been recognized as one of the nation’s Great Colleges to Work For.

Primary Responsibilities

Administration and Leadership

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the University Press of Kentucky, ensuring that publishing programs, policies, operations, and priorities align with the missions of the University of Kentucky and the statewide consortium. Direct all publishing activities, including acquisitions, editorial, production, marketing, sales, and partnerships, while assessing program quality, financial performance, and emerging opportunities.

Financial and Business Management

Develop and oversee the Press’s budget, financial strategy, and revenue streams to support publishing priorities and long-term sustainability. Monitor financial and operational performance, evaluate new business and partnership opportunities, oversee major contracts, and ensure compliance with university policies and financial controls.

External Relations, Fundraising, and Statewide Engagement

Represent the Press and cultivate relationships with university, statewide, regional, and national partners, including authors, scholars, cultural organizations, donors, and publishing professionals. Advance fundraising, donor stewardship, and public support through collaboration with university and external stakeholders.

Personnel and Organizational Leadership

Lead and support Press personnel by supervising and evaluating direct reports, establishing clear expectations, and promoting accountability and collaboration across departments. Assess staffing needs and support recruitment, employee development, retention, succession planning, and a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.

Professional Development and Service

Maintain knowledge of developments and best practices in scholarly and university publishing through ongoing professional development. Participate in professional organizations and serve on relevant university, consortium, and industry committees.

Required Education

Graduate degree in a discipline related to the Press’s areas of publishing emphasis or to one of its operational departments, such as marketing or business, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Required Related Experience

8 years

Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Competencies/Skills/Requirements

• More than 8 years of experience in university press, scholarly, or academic publishing with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and organizational leadership.
• Experience managing budgets, business operations, and revenue-generating activities.
• Success securing grants, gifts, sponsorships, or other external funding.
• Experience building partnerships with external organizations and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams.

History & Organization

The University Press of Kentucky is the scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was organized in 1969 as successor to the University of Kentucky Press. Since then, the Press has represented a consortium that now includes all of Kentucky’s state universities, nine of its private colleges, and two historical societies. Each constituent institution is represented on a statewide editorial board, which supervises the University Press of Kentucky imprint. The Press serves:

• Bellarmine University
• Berea College
• Centre College of Kentucky
• Eastern Kentucky University
• The Filson Historical Society
• Georgetown College
• Kentucky Historical Society
• Kentucky State University
• Morehead State University
• Murray State University
• Northern Kentucky University
• Simmons College of Kentucky
• Spalding University
• Transylvania University
• University of Kentucky
• University of Louisville
• University of Pikeville
• Western Kentucky University

Current Operation & Areas of Focus

From its offices on the UK campus, the Press’s full-time staff of 15-17 publishes approximately 50 titles per year in print and electronic formats. The Press has over 2,100 titles in print with annual sales of approximately $1.75 million. University Press of Kentucky books are available through all major retail and wholesale channels, libraries, and online platforms, both domestic and international.

The Press’s editorial program focuses on the humanities and the social sciences. Its publications in film and military studies have earned the Press a national reputation in these fields, with reviews in such media as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and NPR . Notable awards for Press titles include: thirteen Frederick Jackson Turner Awards (history); six Weatherford Awards (Appalachian studies); three Lillian Smith Book Awards (African American studies); and the Lannan Literary Award.

Memberships & Partnerships

In 2007, the Press entered into a partnership with the Association of the United States Army ( AUSA ) to co-publish outstanding works in military history and to exhibit at the association’s annual conference. The Press also regularly exhibits titles and works to cultivate authors at the annual meetings of the Appalachian Studies Association, the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association, the the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, the Society for Military History, the Society for Cinema and Media Studies, and others. Current book imprints and series of note include: Screen Door Press, edited by Crystal Wilkinson; Fox Hill Books, edited by Silas House; Appalachian Futures: Black, Native, and Queer Voices; Asia in the New Millennium; Aviation and Air Power; Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century; Horses in History; New Directions in Southern History; New Poetry & Prose, in partnership with Centre College; Racing Royalty; Screen Classics; Topics in Kentucky History; and the AUSA American Warriors, Battles & Campaigns, and Foreign Military Studies series. The Press also publishes a large list in bourbon, spirits, and foodways.

The University Press of Kentucky is a longstanding member of the international professional group the Association of University Presses (AUPresses) . Over the years, Press staff have served in a variety of capacities on AUPresses committees and working groups. The Press has also collaborated on books and events with statewide and community partners such as the Kentucky Humanities Council (this collaboration produced the outstanding New Books for New Readers Series, titles designed to enhance adult literacy through Kentucky-based subjects); the Kentucky Arts Council; Kentucky State Parks; the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives; the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife; the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission; the Bluegrass Trust; and the Frazier History Museum, among others.

NOTE : The University of Kentucky Libraries has exclusively retained Jack Farrell & Associates ( www.jackfarrell.com ) to find the winning candidate for this important hire.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Ability to manage staff in various functions to produce a cohesive publishing effort.
• Evidence of innovative thinking in resolving publishing challenges and emerging trends.
• Understanding of current issues and trends in scholarly publication.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work well with faculty, students, and colleagues.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

• More than 8 years of experience in university press, scholarly, or academic publishing with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and organizational leadership.
• Experience managing budgets, business operations, and revenue-generating activities.
• Success securing grants, gifts, sponsorships, or other external funding.
• Experience building partnerships with external organizations and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams.

Deadline to Apply

10/23/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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