Director of the University Press of ...

About the role

The University Press of Kentucky seeks an innovative and mission‑driven Director to lead a team of 15‑17 staff and set the strategic direction for the Press. The position is based in Lexington, KY and reports to the Dean of Libraries. Relocation assistance is available. Lexington is a bustling, culturally rich city ranked #15 by U.S. News & World Report among the Best Places to Live in America, and the University of Kentucky has been recognized as one of the nation’s Great Colleges to Work For. The Press has a dual mission: publishing academic books of high scholarly merit across disciplines and publishing significant books about the history and culture of Kentucky, the Ohio Valley region, the Upper South, and Appalachia. As the statewide nonprofit scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, it serves all Kentucky state‑sponsored institutions of higher learning, nine private colleges, and the state’s two major historical societies.

Responsibilities

• Administration and Leadership: Provide strategic and operational leadership; ensure publishing programs, policies, operations, and priorities align with the missions of the University of Kentucky and the statewide consortium; direct all publishing activities (acquisitions, editorial, production, marketing, sales, partnerships); assess 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; 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 (authors, scholars, cultural organizations, donors, 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.

Requirements

Graduate degree in a discipline related to the Press’s areas of publishing emphasis (humanities, social sciences, Kentucky history/culture, etc.) or in an operational department such as marketing or business, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides comparable knowledge and abilities.

Qualifications

Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience (see equivalency guide: UK HR equivalencies).

Skills

• 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.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance available.
• Position located in Lexington, KY – ranked #15 best place to live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report).
• University of Kentucky recognized as a Great College to Work For.