Working for Highlights

For the various employment opportunities available at Highlights, and for a list of benefits, click here.

Available positions are listed below and are updated weekly.

Traffic Coordinator, Marketing Creative Services

Since 1946, Highlights for Children, Inc. has left an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of tens of millions of children. Highlights believes that children are the world’s most important people. We exist to help children become their best selves – creative, curious, caring and confident.

The Traffic Coordinator is responsible for logging and tracking all projects in, through and out of the Creative Services department to ensure projects are executed and delivered in a timely manner. The Traffic Coordinator keeps track of all project components and details, organizes and maintains files, samples, documents and art materials to keep the Creative Services department functioning efficiently.

Process

• Interact with Art Directors, Copy Manager, Graphic Designers, Graphic Services Coordinators and Creative Director to schedule all projects to meet deadlines.
• Develop, refine and manage the workflow planning tools and spreadsheets.
• Input, update and communicate schedules and project details utilizing schedule workflow tool.
• Provide input on workflow and resources to help balance internal and external resource usage.
• Support department’s use of the digital asset management system (DAM) including file labeling, file archiving, file sorting, and file retrieving.
• Maintain physical sample file room and system for adding and borrowing samples.
• Maintain all other centralized files for the Creative Services department, including contracts and other key documents.
• Order and maintain art and office supplies for the Creative Services department.
• Update Creative Services department members on regular basis and at weekly meetings on schedules and specific projects.
• Provide support services for Creative team.

Quality

• Assure that schedules are timely, professional, and accurate.
• Continually strive for more organization and processes to help department function more efficiently.
• Formalize workflow processes and inter-department communication of schedules and assignments.
• Continually analyze and take action to improve the environment, processes, technologies, resources, techniques, and skills associated with workflow, scheduling and files.
• Recommend continuous improvement in cross-functional matters that impact Creative Services

Requirements

• BS or BA, preferably with a major in business, art, writing, journalism, communications or related.
• 1+ years experience as a Traffic Coordinator, department assistant or similar role within an advertising agency or in-house creative function.
• Experience working on files for production a plus.
• Experience proofreading a plus.
• Experience in graphic design a plus
• Highly organized and process oriented.
• Energetic, with a positive outlook.
• Comfortable working in highly cross-functional team environment.
• Excellent skills in working with spreadsheets and charts.
• Understanding of design and production processes and terms.
• Knowledge of creative work flow processes and tools.

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 02/02/2012

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Traffic Coordinator" in the subject line.

Back to top

Creative Director

Since 1946, Highlights for Children, Inc. has left an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of tens of millions of children. Highlights believes that children are the world’s most important people. We exist to help children become their best selves – creative, curious, caring and confident.

The Creative Director is responsible for the creative output of all HFC marketing and communications, with oversight of the Creative Services department and their creative processes; the ideation, presentation and execution of branding and marketing communications; the creative quality of client projects, and the operational readiness of the Creative Services team, all in the fulfillment of our brand mission, vision and values.

Creative Services Functional Leadership

• Understand HFC strategic goals and brand and lead the Creative Services function aligned with and supportive of the HFC goals.
• Set expectations and standards (build a culture) for creative team attitude, behavior, teamwork and output.
• Direct the activities and professional development of Creative Services team members, including conducting staff reviews, mentoring professional development, and taking corrective actions if needed.
• Continually analyze the Creative Services team, environment, processes, technologies, etc., to determine areas for improvement, and enact continuous improvement plans and activities.
• Participate in company strategizing, and make recommendations for changes to the Creative Services function to meet market changes or to support strategic plans.

Creative Strategy

• Serve as the main contact for all new creative service needs within HFC. Meet with clients on initial requests and serve as the initial key liaison with other functions. Delegate projects to staff accordingly.
• Lead the collaboration with clients, staff and other cross-functional partners to develop sound creative strategies for key projects.
• Continually strive for better, more innovative creative strategies that are customer-centric, and that not only meet the project goals but also serve the greater strategic goals and the brand mission.

Creative Quality

• Mentor staff on the development of outstanding creative solutions, ensuring project objectives are met with verbal and visual clarity and impact. Provide feedback and approvals on work and make decisions on a daily basis that ensure creative quality and adherence to brand standards.
• Drive constant improvement in HFC creative quality and capabilities. Study creative trends and the marketplace, assessing where HFC work stands against trends and competitors’ creative work and make recommendations for improvement.

Creative Services Workflow

• Assure that creative work is on time, professional, engaging, persuasive and supported by a sound rationale.
• Assure that timely and informative communication takes place between the creative function, its clients and other functions (Editorial, Legal, Operations, etc.).
• Manage Creative Services department budget and provide timely reports as requested.

Requirements

• BA, or BFA, with a major in art, advertising, graphic design, writing, journalism, communications or related.
• 7+ years experience leading or managing a creative services function within an advertising agency or in-house creative function.
• 10+ years experience designing and developing marketing communications to the highest standard for a world-class consumer products brand.
• Proven ability in managing others; strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Experience working with children’s brands highly desired.
• Experience in direct marketing highly desired; minimally must possess firm grasp of B2C direct marketing principles; capable of using consumer insights in formulating creative strategies.
• Sharp strategic thinker; innovative.
• Keen creative sense, both verbally and visually.
• Comfortable working in highly cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to comprehend and apply formal brand standards.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Knowledge of creative work flow processes and tools (digital asset management, etc.).
• Competence in creative software usage (Photoshop, InDesign).
• Expertise in business software usage (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
• Understanding of financial terms and use of tools to manage a department budget.

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 02/02/2012

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Creative Director" in the subject line.

Back to top

Copy Manager

Since 1946, Highlights for Children, Inc. has left an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of tens of millions of children. Highlights believes that children are the world’s most important people. We exist to help children become their best selves – creative, curious, caring and confident.

The Copy Manager is responsible for writing and editing, as well as directing external resources in writing and editing, of marketing and communication materials for HFC. The Copy Manager works in tandem with the Art Directors to develop the verbal and visual creative strategy on a variety of B2C and B2B marketing pieces, all in the fulfillment of our brand mission, vision and values.

Process

• Serve as the key liaison with clients and other internal functions on writing-only or editing-only projects.
• Interact with Traffic Coordinator on the scheduling of projects and components to meet deadlines and provide input on workflow and resources.
• Collaborate with Art Directors to develop sound verbal and visual creative strategies on all projects.
• Personally write copy and/or edit copy on most projects.
• Hire and direct external copy writing and copy editing resources on projects as needed.
• Direct external design agencies on copy writing and/or copy editing portions of project.
• Work with Graphic Services Coordinators and other functions to ensure all copy is accurately represented, supplied and proofread prior to release.
• Update Director, Creative Services on direction and disposition on specific projects assigned.
• Manage costs for copy writing and copy editing projects and provide timely reports as requested.
• Update Creative Services department members on regular basis and at weekly meetings on specific projects and cross-functional teams assigned.
• Participate in cross-functional teams and meetings, representing specific projects or Creative Services function.

Quality

• Continually strive for better, more innovative creative strategies that are customer-centric, and that not only meet the project goals but also serve the greater strategic goals and the brand mission.
• Mentor partners and outside sources on the development of outstanding creative solutions, ensuring project objectives are met with verbal and visual clarity and impact.
• Further develop the brand voice and establish more formalized copy writing and copy editing standards for HFC marketing and communications.
• Provide feedback and approvals on work and make decisions on a daily basis that ensure copy quality and adherence to brand standards.
• Assure that copy presented is timely, professional, engaging, persuasive, accurate, and supported by a sound rationale.
• Drive constant improvement in writing and editing quality and capabilities. Study copy trends, assessing where HFC work stands against trends and make recommendations for improvement.
• Continually analyze and take action to improve the environment, processes, technologies, resources, techniques, and skills associated with copy writing and copy editing.
• Recommend continuous improvement in cross-functional matters that impact Creative Services

Requirements

• BA, or BFA, with a major in writing, journalism, literature, communications or related.
• 3+ years experience as a Copy Manger or similar role within an advertising agency or in-house creative function.
• 7+ years experience writing copy and copy editing, in the development of marketing communications to the highest standard for a world-class brand.
• Experience working with children’s brands highly desired.
• Experience in direct marketing highly desired.
• Sharp strategic thinker; innovative.
• Good mentor of people, especially writing resources.
• Comfortable working in highly cross-functional team environment.
• Ability to comprehend and apply formal brand standards.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills; strong verbal creative skills.
• Knowledge of creative work flow processes and tools.
• Competence in creative software usage (Photoshop, InDesign).
• Expertise in business software usage (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
• Capable of using consumer insights in formulating creative strategies.
• Grasp of B2C direct marketing and B2B marketing principles.
• Understanding of financial terms and use of tools to manage costs and budget.

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 02/02/2012

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Creative Director" in the subject line.

Back to top

Analyst Campaign Management

This position is responsible for the development and execution of direct marketing campaigns. The ideal candidate will be able to interpret data and segment performance and based on empirical findings and lead the planning, execution and performance interpretation of direct marketing campaigns in a multichannel environment. The Campaign Planning team is one of three core groups of Highlights for Children Analytics division that also includes Business Analytics and Performance Management.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and incorporate analysis that reaches across channels (online, direct mail response, call center, telemarketing) and customer segments and products (Magazine, Clubs, Merchandise, and others) in Campaign decision-making
• Execute a marketing campaign from segmentation, test strategy to execution to analysis including:
  • Pre campaign planning – available universe estimation, response forecasting, other scenario planning. Pre campaign estimates of response and financial impact
  • Campaign design – allocating quantities across test and roll out segments based on appropriate statistical methodologies
  • Campaign execution – List selection, random allocation, merge/purge, working with external vendors
  • Analysis – Including, but not limited to response projection, iterative and final quantifying of response and financial metrics, comparing to relevant benchmarks, test results
  • Maintaining all this in a timely fashion, presenting plans and results to key internal stakeholders
• Design data driven contact and segmentation strategies
• Support research monitoring the competitive landscape and keep abreast of trends within database marketing, media sources, advertising channels, etc.
• All output must maintain department standards for being accurate, timely and user-friendly

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in quantitative Business field or quantitative fields such Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Quantitative Social Sciences or related field preferred
• Experience in retrieving, summarizing and presenting data
• Experience in a direct marketing organization or similar CRM environment
• 2+ years executing and analyzing direct marketing campaigns
• 2+ years experience of regular use of SQL, SPSS, SAS or similar software
• Experience and strong ability to communicate to all levels of business, analytical and technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to use experimental design in a direct marketing environment and derive incremental performance metrics from the results
• Experience developing business relevant hypotheses, designing the appropriate testing and experiment strategies, execution of the tests, interpretation of results for business significance and implementation of key findings from the tests in the business
• A curiosity that will drive to critical questioning and the development of solutions based on data
• Strong critical thinking and abstract problem solving skills
• Experience in working with large volumes of data from disparate sources
• Strong sense of data to business relevance, and translating into clear, concise presentations
• Demonstrated knowledge of foundational direct marketing concepts
• Knowledge of data concepts, structures, formats
• Expert in Microsoft Excel as evidenced by use of functions, pivot tables and visual basic
• Ability to present quantitative information in a clear way to stakeholders from diverse technical backgrounds

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 10/27/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Analyst Campaign Management" in the subject line.

Back to top

Digital Product Manager

The Digital Product Manager is responsible for developing and executing the business models for the profitable distribution of digital products. This visionary position manages the strategic planning and implementation of marketing approaches and looks for new marketing opportunities for the products. Responsible for long-term and short-term financial performance, the Digital Product Manager sets goals and works collaboratively with others, acting as a digital mentor in evaluating, prioritizing, and executing opportunities in order to optimize reach and profitability.

Customary duties include:

• Bringing digitally focused business opportunities from ideation to execution/launch
• Bringing web and mobile products to market and delivering results utilizing industry knowledge and industry contacts
• Collaboration with Editorial team to determine, execute and communicate publishing/business plans
• Alignment of existing and new digital content with optimal business models and development of new business models that support digital products when warranted
• Formulation of business requirements and articulate concise and accurate identification of product objectives and requirements
• Driving the optimal marketing strategy for digital products, working closely with iMedia and web market teams
• Supporting business development opportunities for digital partnerships
• Driving the business models of both stand-alone digital products as well as the models for digital add-ons to existing products
• Responsibility for the financial aspects of the digital product line
• Assessing and integrating customer feedback, market trends, competition, and internal perspectives to determine new or enhanced product enhancements that positively impact our customer experience
• Effective development, communication and execution of digital contracts

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field or equivalent experience
• Proven ability to successfully execute responsibilities and duties, i.e. minimum of 5 years experience in digital product management; experience with digital models (mobile, e-books/tablet/I-pad/virtual worlds); experience working with digital sales/distribution channels; ability to manage multiple projects
• Established relationships/contacts within the digital industry
• Keen understanding of the digital competitive environment and emerging digital trends
• Keen understanding of technical side of digital products/support requirements – systems architectures
• Experience with contract negotiations
• Visionary, strategic, creative, innovative thinker
• Collaborative style – a strong team player that works well with other areas of the company

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 10/27/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Digital Product Manager" in the subject line.

Back to top

Director of Supply Chain Management

The Director of Supply Chain Management is a new position and will focus on advancing supply chain management philosophy for Highlights for Children. The successful candidate would optimize the design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities for the provision of promotional activities, services, and products to create net value, build a competitive infrastructure, leverage logistics, synchronize supply with demand and measure performance.

Supply chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of delivery to customer. This position assumes a lead role in leveraging all available logistics options and relationships both domestically and internationally as well as identifying best practices and metrics to drive continual improvement.

This position is also responsible for managing overall logistics operations and direct leadership of the inventory planning and management team.

Requirements:

• BS in supply chain management or similar Working knowledge of inventory planning systems
• 10+ years experience in supply chain management - Direct to consumer and business to business, Retail and Trade, Domestic and International
• 5+ years in senior level inventory management role - Direct to consumer, business to business, and Retail
• 5+ years process analysis / mapping / enhancement preferred
• 5+ years leading continuous improvement efforts preferred
• Proven leadership ability to recruit, develop, motivate and lead others
• Strong critical thinking skills, i.e., analytical problem solving, decision making, sound judgment
• Able to generate creative ideas to improve business effectiveness
• Strong financial understanding
• Proven ability to identify and execute improvement opportunities
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills; able to build collaborative relationships
• Must be detailed oriented
• Periodic travel required
• APICS certification preferred

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 09/20/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Director of Supply Chain Management" in the subject line.

Back to top

Executive Assistant - Finance

This position provides administrative support for the Finance and Legal Departments. Duties also include accounting functions including preparation and maintenance of spreadsheets, preparation of general ledger journal entries, account reconciliation, preparation and processing of census & tax returns and shareholder relations/transactions.

* Position requires a high degree of discretion due to the confidential nature of the information processed.

Requirements:

• Distribute materials (i.e., reports, prepared books, etc.) to internal management and Board of Directors
• File specified accounting and legal files ensuring staff access to up to date information
• Communicate with stockholders in an approved manner; organize and retain stockholder certificates; prepare dividend checks; prepare and file 1099-DIV forms; and enter and maintain stockholder database
• Process tax returns and maintain tax return files
• Calculate and file quarterly estimated corporate tax payments
• Prepare and file applicable sales tax forms, annual report filings and census reports
• Update lease agreements annually to reflect revisions of contract terms; track monthly/quarterly billing of rent
• Maintain contract files to include tracking contract receipts, retrieving and copying filed contracts
• Maintain insurance binder files to ensure up to date documents are retained
• Open mail, prioritize correspondence, screen calls and take messages
• Coordinate meetings and travel arrangements
• Perform daily cash management duties including monitoring of bank balances, movement of cash among accounts as appropriate, and preparation and drop off of bank deposits. Prepare associated journal entries
• Reconcile investment-related General Ledger accounts and other investment accounting related activities
• Reconcile Highlights credit card activity: Run reports, prepare spreadsheets and prepare journal entries
• Verify Accounts Payable checks accuracy against invoices; route to appropriate recipients
• Order office supplies and reconcile and code packing slips; periodically shop vendors for prices
• Research and authorize assigned vendor invoices
• Create and/or maintain (keep current) various spreadsheets and correspondence

Other Functions:

Miscellaneous duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

Two years college with emphasis in accounting preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience:

Minimum of three years of similar experience

Other (Knowledge, Skills or Abilities):

• Customer service orientation
• Excellent problem solving, analysis, decision making, and sound judgment critical thinking skills
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to prioritize
• Attention to detail
• Initiative in stream lining and improving procedures
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Willingness to work as a team member and assist others when able
• Able to work with all levels, i.e., Board Member to internal staff
• Proficiency in Excel (or similar spreadsheet), Word, and Access
• Type 45 wpm and proficient with 10 key
• Discretion in handling confidential matters
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 01/03/2012

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Executive Assistant - Finance" in the subject line.

Back to top

Manager of Purchasing, Children's Books and Related Products

This position manages the sourcing, purchasing and related reporting for consumer products that include books and hard goods in support of Highlights' businesses including Magazines, Clubs, Books and Merchandise. The key functions of this position are to cultivate sources, both domestic, near shore and offshore; ensure that purchasing functions are executed within company policy and in line with industry best practices; obtain competitive pricing, ensure product conformance to quality and safety requirements and execute timely delivery of the product in order to ensure continuous service to our customers. This position reports to the Director of Procurement for the Highlights Consumer Products Group. Managers of Production/Distribution, Book Manufacturing, and Product Purchasing report to this position.

Requirements:

• Develop knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes and regulatory/safety requirements that govern the children's product industry continuously
• Collaborate with Marketing, Editorial & Operations Teams on product development concepts
• Cultivate a diverse cross-section of suppliers both domestic, near shore and offshore, able to meet current and future product needs
• Partner collaboratively with Corporate Safety Compliance Department to ensure the enforcement of corporate and CPSC safety standards in the manufacturing and labeling of products
• Prepare and submit requests for quotations to suppliers; determine purchase quantities assuring prices reflects overall best value; directly or through others, execute procurement decisions
• Create and manage purchase orders and audit and prepare invoices for payment
• Oversee documentation of procurement process and decisions to meet audit requirements
• Ensure that appropriate cost reporting is developed and maintained
• Participate in weekly Source Team meetings

Other Functions:

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in business or related area and/or equivalent experience

Experience:

• Five plus years experience in Book production, preferably in a buying position
• Working knowledge of ink on Paper Production
• Five plus years product sourcing experience
• Two plus years logistics experience
• Five plus year vendor management experience
• Working knowledge of CPSC safety standards
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Project management experience strongly preferred

Other (Knowledge, Skills or Abilities):

• Self motivated & detail oriented
• Strong mathematical and analytical aptitude
• Excellent quantitative and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and the ability to solve ambiguous problems
• Creative and resourceful
• Ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping timetables and a high level of organizational and project management skills to meet deadlines
• Ability to act at both the tactical and strategic level
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 01/03/2012

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Manager of Purchasing, Children's Books and Related Products" in the subject line.

Back to top

National Account Manager

The National Account Manager, located in Columbus, Ohio, represents books across mass merchants such as Walmart® and Toys "R" Us®, and through distributors such as Levy®. In addition, this position identifies revenue opportunities; cultivates new and existing relationships with retail and wholesale partners; and manages the independent sales representative network. All responsibilities are performed within the established mission, vision and values of the Highlights organization.

Key Responsibilities include:

Account Management:

• Function as frontline executive for key accounts to achieve specific annual product and channel sales, revenue and profitability goals
• Proactively pursue and establish new relationships; Maintain/strengthen existing assigned account relationships with appropriate national distributors, wholesalers, and retailers
• Strive to secure optimal retail display and distribution for products and implement specific product-driven marketing objectives
• Prepare reports and present information regarding: forecasts and budgets of key accounts; useful sales reports; and industry reports such as market share, comparisons and competitive reviews
• Identify, analyze, and present business reviews and sales presentations to independent sales representatives and client accounts.
• Attend and represent company at key industry trade shows and conventions

Business Strategy:

• Establish relationship with other parts of the sales organization including outside sales team, customer service, and other intra company teams
• Creatively and strategically identify and prioritize opportunities across a major account base, including the development of channel specific strategies for each product
• Work collaboratively with other internal teams to engage new accounts as part of an over-arching business development mindset
• Provide market information insight to editorial group
• Manage initial orders and reprint process; Manage book distribution orders and allocations
• In conjunction with business leader, collect and analyze data and develop, recommend, and initiate marketing goals to achieve financial and distribution objectives

Requirements:

• Proven National Account Manager experience with expertise in children's publishing and customer-focused orientation. Mass merchandise account, chain bookstore, and/or national wholesale experience strongly preferred
• Experience managing independent rep groups strongly preferred
• An open, proactive and entrepreneurial approach to business and the ability to offer new and creative solutions and seize opportunities
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with ability to understand and impact financials as well as prepare and deliver insightful reports; Ability to problem solve and execute to business plan; Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
• Superior interpersonal skills, including verbal, written, and listening skills, with ability to collaborate with others internally and across the customer base; enthusiastic communicator of company products
• Bachelor's degree – Business preferred
• Ability to travel up to 70% of time

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 10/27/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "National Account Manager" in the subject line.

Back to top

Senior Analyst – Campaign Planning

This position is responsible for providing leadership within the Campaign Planning team, which is one of three core groups of Highlights for Children Analytics division which also includes Business Analytics and Performance Management.

Day to day activity may include, but is not limited to:

• Develop and incorporate analysis that reaches across channels (online, direct mail response, call center, telemarketing) and customer segments and products (Magazine, Clubs, Merchandise, and others) in Campaign decision-making
• Supervise analyst for a marketing campaign from segmentation, test strategy to execution to analysis including:
  • Pre campaign planning – available universe estimation, response forecasting, other scenario planning. Pre campaign estimates of response and financial impact
  • Campaign design – allocating quantities across test and roll out segments based on appropriate statistical methodologies
  • Campaign execution – List selection, random allocation, merge/purge, working with external vendors
  • Analysis – Including, but not limited to response projection, iterative and final quantifying of response and financial metrics, comparing to relevant benchmarks, test results
  • Maintaining all this in a timely fashion, presenting plans and results to key internal stakeholders
• Supervise the design data driven contact and segmentation strategies
• Monitor competitive landscape and keep abreast of trends within database marketing, media sources, advertising channels, etc.
• Interface with key stakeholders in the company and present findings and recommendations in a clear comprehensive fashion that is understandable to audiences of varying technical backgrounds
• Professional mentor and train analyst
• Supervise telemarketing campaign segmentation, inserts and other direct to consumer contacts
• All output must maintain department standards for being accurate, timely and user-friendly

Required Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree in quantitative field of Business or quantitative fields such Economics, Statistics, Engineering or quantitative Social Sciences
• 2+ years of experience in retrieving, summarizing and presenting data
• 2+ years of experience in a direct marketing organization or similar CRM environment
• 2+ years managing direct marketing campaigns
• 2+ years experience of regular use of SQL, SPSS, SAS or similar software
• Experience and strong ability to communicate to all levels of business, analytical and technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to use experimental design in a direct marketing environment and derive incremental performance metrics from the results
  • Experience developing business relevant hypotheses, designing the appropriate testing and experiment strategies, execution of the tests, interpretation of results for business significance and implementation of key findings from the tests in the business
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and direct peers or experience managing
• A curiosity that will drive to critical questions
• Strong critical thinking and abstract problem solving skills
• Fundamental understanding of all key business performance indicators, relationships and drivers
• Ability to work accurately with large volumes of data from disparate sources
• Strong sense of data to business relevance, and translating into clear, concise presentations
• Demonstrated knowledge of foundational direct marketing concepts
• Demonstrated leader in thought, knowledge and ability to transfer knowledge and skills
• Experienced in managing multiple direct reports
• Intermediate knowledge of data concepts, structures, formats
• Expert in Microsoft Excel as evidenced by use of functions, pivot tables and visual basic

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 10/27/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Senior Analyst – Campaign Planning" in the subject line.

Back to top

Senior Analyst Performance Management

This position is responsible for providing comprehensive analysis across all of Highlights for Children's consumer business products. The ideal candidate will serve as a conduit for thought, data discovery and research, supporting product, marketing and operational groups within Highlights. The Performance Management team is one of three core groups of Highlights for Children Analytics division which also includes Business Analytics and Campaign Planning.

Responsibilities:

Day to day activity may include, but is not limited to:

• Develop and incorporate new analysis that reaches across channels (online, direct mail response, call center, telemarketing) and customer segments and products (Magazine, Clubs, Merchandise, and others) in Campaign decision-making
• Identify trends and interpret their impact on the business
• Indentify new metrics that need to be developed into standard reporting
• Develop response models as needed
• Develop and support long range forecasting
• Serve as internal analytical consultant to business partners
• Support ad hoc analysis
• Identify and structure hypotheses to be tested and develop the experiment to test them
• Analytical support for new business and emerging technology
• Take raw unstructured data and questions and turn them into actionable business relevant answers
• Support research monitoring the competitive landscape and keep abreast of trends within database marketing, media sources, advertising channels, etc.
• Present results to audience of varying technical backgrounds in a clear and understandable fashion
• Execute consumer behavior research
• All output must maintain department standards for being accurate, timely and user-friendly

Requirements:

• Masters Degree in quantitative field of Business or Master's Degree in quantitative fields such Economics, Statistics, Engineering, Quantitative Social Sciences or related field preferred
• 4+ Experience in retrieving, summarizing and presenting data
• 5+ years experience of regular use of SQL, SPSS, SAS or similar software
• Experience and strong ability to communicate to all levels of business, analytical and technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to use experimental design in a direct marketing environment and derive incremental performance metrics from the results
• Experience developing business relevant hypotheses, designing the appropriate testing and experiment strategies, execution of the tests, interpretation of results for business significance and implementation of key findings from the tests in the business
• A curiosity that will drive to critical questioning and the development of solutions based on data
• Strong critical thinking and abstract problem solving skills
• Experience in working with large volumes of data from disparate sources, experience in model building including linear and logistic regression, and CHAID or other decision tree modeling
• Strong sense of data to business relevance, and translating into clear, concise presentations
• Knowledge of data concepts, structures, formats
• Expert in Microsoft Excel as evidenced by use of functions, pivot tables and visual basic
• Ability to present quantitative information in a clear way to stakeholders from diverse technical backgrounds

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 10/27/2011

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Senior Analyst Performance Management" in the subject line.

Back to top

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Reporting to the Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer, lead the sales and marketing functions for Highlights consumer businesses. Directly responsible for the development of the strategic direction for promotion, advertising, and sales. Plan, prioritize and oversee the implementation of the company's sales and marketing strategies, including product and market optimization, market development, pricing, and offer development. Monitor and analyze sales and marketing activity against goals. Benchmark to relevant outside sources. Manage a team of 16, including product directors, marketing directors and national account manager. Participate as a member of the consumer businesses executive leadership team. Responsible for achievement of revenue goals and objectives. Work within Highlights' Mission, Vision and Values.

Requirements:

• Responsible for fiscal performance of company sales and marketing functions. Develop and manage sales and marketing budgets, and oversee the development and management of internal operating budgets
• Direct and oversee the company marketing function, optimizing the business performance across all Highlights' products and services and channels
• Develop a team of national account managers and independent sales reps
• Identify and develop new customers for products and services and determine the best ways to reach them
• Working with appropriate editorial and business teams to lead the evolution of our business and publishing plans to ensure it covers emerging businesses and changing needs
• Effectively communicate the right sales and marketing information to the right people at the right time
• Provide leadership and expertise to carry out the necessary business strategies
• Develop a high performing team of strategic and tactical contributors – evaluating needs, setting expectations, providing support, holding people accountable and rewarding them as appropriate
• Participate as a member of a high performing executive leadership team
• Research, develop and propose strategies and plans which identify business opportunities and new project development
• Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of sales, methods, costs, and results
• Create and interpret business metrics reports, develop plans to optimize approach based on findings
• Directly manage major and critical developing client accounts, and coordinate the management of all other accounts
• Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures
• Promote positive relations with partners, vendors, and distributors. Work with other departments as needed to set strategies and initiate and negotiate contracts, vendor payments and budget reconciliation
• Use external resources to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices
• Work with department managers and corporate staff to develop five year business plans for the company

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related concentration or equivalent work experience
• MBA or other advanced degree, preferred

Experience:

• Ten+ years of related professional experience in a senior-level marketing and/or sales position
• Five years of progressive demonstrated leadership experience overseeing marketing strategy development, marketing communications, pricing strategy development, marketing research, and business intelligence
• Successful business examples of running a full P&L, including budgeting, sales/revenue and profit
• Multi-media, with an appreciation for direct to consumer marketing
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team
• Management of a large consumer brand
• Publishing experience, preferred

Other (Knowledge, Skills or Abilities):

• Performance-driven, results-oriented
• Visionary and strategic, with proven ability to deliver
• Analytical, strong critical thinking and reasoning
• Negotiating, contract management
• Change management
• Knowledge of structuring sales quota goals and revenue expectations
• Professional written and verbal communication, presentations and public speaking
• Interpersonal skills, collaborative, flexible
• Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects
• Participative and facilitative

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 12/29/2011

Position is located at Highlights for Children business headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Please send résumé and cover letter to: jobs@highlights.com. Place "Vice President, Sales & Marketing" in the subject line.

Back to top

Executive Producer, Media

This position reports the Sr. Vice President of Product Development. The Executive Producer, Media (EPM) works with the SVP and Directors to conceptualize, develop, execute, and maintain quality digital products, including web-based applications and related multimedia products. The EPM makes technological recommendations on how proposed instructional content can best be represented in a digital project to ensure instructional and market success. This position requires significant collaboration with outside vendors, Product Managers, field Sales Representatives, and other contributors to develop digital stand-alone product and digital product to support print products.

Major Responsibilities

Media Development and Implementation

• Develop product requirements with input from Directors of Product Development, Product Managers, Sales field reps, and market research, including detailed proposals, RFPs, budgets, and schedules, as required
• Monitor developments in the market place to be aware of cutting edge applications
• Identify user needs and technical innovations relevant to product lines and to suggest ways to use this knowledge to strengthen products
• Prepare content management guidelines based on product development needs
• Determine appropriate level of quality assurance and ensure that the product has been tested before Gold release

Project Management

• Work independently, set priorities, organize, and control work flow
• Monitor schedule and budget throughout production process and provide updates to Director, Product Development Operations
• In concert with Director, Product Development Operations assess risks, identify and resolve conflicts, and negotiate with vendors to sustain schedule
• Manage local and off-shore development vendors

Communication, Teamwork, and Leadership

• Provide constructive feedback and leadership
• Effectively interact across all levels and departments to develop the most market appropriate and technically accurate product as well as clarify and streamline processes and procedures
• Provide training in software, processes and overall project development. Anticipate project problem areas, identify solutions, and implement same to maintain schedule and budget requirements
• Provide clear, timely, and complete status to team members via correspondence, status reports and recurring team meetings throughout project development

Requirements:

Training

• Understanding of media tools such as: Flash, JAVA, iOS, Quicktime, HTML
• Ability to leverage understanding to develop and deploy educational products
• Ability to support and adjust products once deployed
• Proficiency with office software (including Microsoft Word and Excel), Macintosh and PC desktops, ftp, basic graphics manipulations, file management.
• Knowledge of Learning Management Systems a plus
• Knowledge of relevant funding sources a plus
• Computer Skills (including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Acrobat)

Education: B.S. or B.A. degree (M.A. or M.S. in Educational Technology a plus)

Experience

• 6 to 8 years experience in educational media publishing, Grades K-12, including instructional design implementation
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Curriculum (i.e., K-8 reading/language arts) knowledge
• Strong computer literacy, including knowledge of industry initiatives and the ability to learn new software quickly, particularly with regard to content organization, management, and taxonomies
• K-12 teaching experience a plus

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Columbus, OH

Date added: 11/28/11

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jobs@zaner-bloser.com by December 31, 2011. Place "The Executive Producer, Media" in the subject line.

Back to top

Managing Editor, Children's Books

Boyds Mills Press (BMP) was launched in 1990 to publish books that enlighten and entertain, reaching children primarily through bookstores, libraries, and schools. As the trade division of Highlights for Children, Inc., we publish our books under several imprints: Boyds Mills Press, Calkins Creek, and Wordsong.

We believe in and are committed to publishing and exposing young readers to the best literature available in other countries, cultures, and languages. We believe books should be beautiful to look at and to hold. We have an immediate opening for a Managing Editor, Children's Books.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

Keep the VP fully updated on program status via the following activities. Work closely with Graphics to create and maintain smooth work flow processes:

• Maintain and update scheduling documents on an ongoing basis. Serve as key liaison among editorial, design, graphics, and production departments, as well as with external resources to ensure that titles stay on schedule
• Oversee copyediting and proofreading of titles, utilizing both in-house and external resources
• Become knowledgeable of internal systems: Filemaker, CATS, to understand how they can effectively be utilized to streamline and improve our processes
• Oversee timely and appropriate management of CIP and ISBN information
• Oversee creation of Title Fact Sheets
• Interact with marketing personnel in Columbus as appropriate
• Interact with authors and illustrators as appropriate
• Special projects as required

Key Deliverables:

• Develop a scheduling document to track progress of all titles and programs. Utilize existing resources (e.g. Filemaker) where possible to avoid duplication and maintain consistency of information
• Develop and maintain a list of external copyediting and proofreading resources

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2-4 years' experience in a related role
• Expert copy-editing and proofreading skills
• Excellent software skills with ability to learn our existing software(CATS)
• Mac and PC skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to easily take on new tasks as they arise
• Self-motivated and able to develop a strong understanding of Highlights products and file formats in a short amount of time
• Relocation to Northeastern Pennsylvania

We are an EEO/ Affirmative Action Employer

Location: Honesdale, PA (Click for more information about Honesdale and the surrounding area.)

Date added: 12/02/11

Send résumé in either Microsoft Word or PDF format to: resumes@highlights.com. Place "Coordinating Editor, Book Publishing" in the subject line.

Back to top