Ascension Publishing Group

SUMMARY As a Publishing Product Manager on the Books team, you are responsible for possessing a high level of professionalism, strong creative and editorial judgment, excellent relational skills, and the organizational ability to manage multiple titles simultaneously in the high-performing Consumer Products business unit. You are responsible for taking promising book concepts and developing them into well-positioned, market-ready products — owning the full journey from early concept refinement through author development, production, and launch. You work closely with senior leadership during initial ideation, then take the lead in shaping, validating, and executing on that vision. You bring genuine creativity and enthusiasm to the work, paired with the discernment to know what will resonate with readers and the discipline to see it through. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Participate in early concepting conversations with leadership and authors, and independently translate discussion notes into clearly articulated product concepts by defining the audience, naming pain points, differentiated angles, and articulating the commercial rationale for the projects.  - Drive the overall vision, positioning, and content direction of new book products from concept through launch. - Validate concepts with real readers through interviews, surveys, and community research, and utilize findings to confirm, sharpen, or challenge assumptions before development begins. - Own the author relationship from concept through launch by serving as the primary creative partner, maintaining trust and momentum throughout the development process, and ensuring authors feel supported throughout the entire publishing process. - Scout and cultivate relationships with prospective authors whose platform, expertise, and audience align with Ascension's product priorities. - Ensure that the manuscript, title, cover, and supporting materials remain aligned with the original concept scope by identifying drift early and working with authors to correct course. - Create a multi-year product plan that considers key target market segments and strategically focuses on product line growth and profitability. - Establish requirements and specifications for new products, and clearly communicate their vision and goals to all internal stakeholders. - Collaborating with the Associate Marketing Manager on go-to-market strategy through campaigns and launch plans with marketing, media, and production teams. - Determine product pricing by utilizing market research data, reviewing production and sales costs, and evaluating sales projections. - Develop metrics to assess product success and identify necessary enhancements or follow-on opportunities. - Lead and participate in planning meetings and provide guidance on product direction. - Manage contracts and project management of content writers, reviewers, and organizational partners for owned products. - Maintain an in-depth knowledge of Ascension's products, solutions, and offerings across all categories. - Assist the Associate General Manager in the review of new unsolicited submissions.

SUMMARY The Marketing Manager, Books is a strategic and hands-on marketing leader responsible for maximizing the revenue potential of every title on the Books list. This role owns the go-to-market strategy for the Books portfolio — developing sharp, audience-driven positioning for each book, identifying the right channels and tactics to reach and convert buyers, and executing alongside the Marketing Producer and external contractors to bring campaigns to life. The ideal candidate thinks like a strategist and works like a practitioner. They are energized by the challenge of finding the right audience for a book, crafting a compelling story around it, and building a disciplined plan to drive sales — from launch through the long tail. They are comfortable with data, fluent in digital marketing channels, and skilled at translating insights into creative direction and clear priorities for a small, agile team. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Portfolio Positioning & Go-to-Market Strategy - Develop and own the go-to-market strategy for each Books unit title — including audience targeting, positioning, messaging, pricing considerations, and channel prioritization — with the goal of maximizing conversion and revenue at every stage of a book's lifecycle. - Build a deep understanding of each book's target audience: who they are, where they engage, what motivates them to buy, and how to reach them most effectively. - Identify and evaluate the best mix of channels, placements, and tactics for each title, balancing investment against expected return. - Partner with Editorial and Product Development early in the product lifecycle to provide marketing input that shapes positioning and launch readiness. - Analyze market trends, competitor positioning, and category dynamics in Catholic publishing to identify opportunities and sharpen strategy. Campaign Development & Execution - Translate positioning strategy into integrated marketing campaigns across email, social media, paid advertising, organic content, and retail channels. - Write and contribute to compelling copy for marketing materials, including emails, website content, ad creative, and social posts — and provide clear creative direction to the Marketing Producer. - Manage and optimize paid advertising campaigns on Meta and Amazon, with a focus on audience targeting, creative performance, and return on ad spend. - Oversee campaign schedules, proactively identify risks and opportunities, and make timely decisions to maximize results. - Review and approve creative assets, copy, video content, and photography produced by the Marketing Producer and external contractors. - Lead product launches end-to-end, coordinating across internal teams and guiding authors through their marketing and PR plans. Amazon & Channel Strategy - Own the Books team's Amazon marketing strategy — including listing optimization, search visibility, advertising strategy, promotional planning, and performance measurement. - Identify and develop additional distribution and channel opportunities (e.g., DTC, wholesale, reseller partners) in collaboration with Operations, providing channel-specific marketing support where it drives meaningful sales impact. - Coordinate with Operations as needed to ensure marketing plans align with inventory availability, distribution timing, and channel requirements. Data, Analytics & Performance - Define success metrics for each campaign and title, and hold the team accountable to measurable outcomes. - Analyze campaign performance, consumer behavior data, and channel-level results to assess effectiveness and continuously optimize strategy. - Gather and interpret data from web traffic, ad platforms, Amazon, and e-commerce channels to surface actionable insights. - Design and analyze customer surveys to inform positioning, product development, and messaging decisions. - Report key results, learnings, and recommendations to leadership on a regular cadence. Team Direction & Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with the Marketing Producer to ensure Marketing and Creative are aligned to the creative vision and objectives for individual campaigns and overall team goals. - Manage and direct marketing contractors as needed — assigning work, setting expectations, reviewing deliverables, and integrating their output into broader campaign plans. - Collaborate cross-functionally with Editorial, Product Development, PR/Communications, Operations, and Technology teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution. - Steward the Books team marketing budget, allocating investment to maximize revenue impact across the portfolio. Author & Creator Collaboration - Serve as the primary marketing contact for authors throughout the product lifecycle, providing strategic direction and setting clear expectations for their role in marketing and PR. - Lead marketing kickoffs with authors, sharing go-to-market strategy, channel plans, and deliverable timelines. - Collaborate with authors and creators to develop marketing assets that support campaign goals and feel authentic to their voice and platform.

This description is a summary of our understanding of the job description. Click on 'Apply' button to find out more. Role Description The Marketing Intern will support both digital marketing initiatives and event coordination efforts for Ascension’s schools team. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, self-starter who is eager to gain hands-on experience in campaign execution, paid advertising, and trade show logistics. The intern will play a key support role in expanding brand visibility and generating qualified leads for the Catholic schools market through strategic digital marketing efforts, as well as managing logistics for conferences and exhibitor events. - Digital Marketing Support - Assist with email marketing setup, including building campaign flows - Draft and schedule social media posts across platforms - Support the setup, monitoring, and reporting of paid digital ads (Google, Meta, etc.) - Track basic campaign metrics and compile performance summaries - Track SEO of content marketing assets as well as website visits - Event Coordination & Logistics - Manage registration for exhibitor space, booth materials/service, and shipping/drayage - Coordinate travel and lodging arrangements for event staff - Ensure shipment of conference materials/supplies such as product samples, marketing collateral, banners, and booth backdrops - Assist with on-site event coordination as needed - Explore opportunities for sponsorships, ads, and session leads - Support post-event follow-up efforts (lead organization, emails, retro planning) Qualifications - Currently pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree - Strong desire to learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions - Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills - Proactive, positive, and motivated attitude - Exemplify and live core values of humility, passion, and integrity Requirements - Paid internship - Approx. 6 months (exact dates TBD) - Remote Benefits - Hands-on experience contributing to meaningful projects - Opportunities to develop skills that strengthen your resume - Experience in a supportive and collaborative company culture - Real-world experience to prepare you for your future career Application Requirements Submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your career goals, areas of interest, and what you hope to gain from an internship at Ascension. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected candidates will be contacted as opportunities become available.