Circulation Manager

CS Monitor - Circulation

SUMMARY
Responsible for day-to-day management of circulation activities for The Christian Science Monitor, Journal, Sentinel, and Heralds; and assist Director with development and execution of plans to meet established goals and maximize profit and or demand as established in the budget.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage the day-to-day circulation activities for subscription-based products.

· Execute and develop mail strategies including list selection, testing and analysis.

· Analyze pre and post response-mailing analyses to identify strategies to improve overall response rates for assigned programs.

· Gather historical data to assist in preparation of list selects and identify opportunities.

· Prepare reports, including charts and graphs, and assist with presentations to management on recommendations for actions plans.

· Manages communications with list brokers, merge/purge house and lettershop for direct mail list work.

· Work with circulation director and other key players to coordinate sub opportunities and assist in executing affinity partnerships online.

· Manage external vendors for list procurement, list management and the merge/purge process and make recommendations for vendor improvement as necessary.

· Manage retention strategies, including invoicing, renewals, and customer service policies.

· Manage marketing strategies for new subscription products, esp. Internet-based products, including promotion, pricing, and forecasts of circulation, revenue, and expenses.

· Special projects as required.

· Maintain an in-depth understanding of circulation rules and regulations, and educate/collaborate with customer service, sales and marketing teams to ensure programs are appropriately documented and comply with circulation guidelines.

· Oversee maintenance of price lists, billing and renewal copy.

· Perform ongoing quality control tests to validate accurate functioning of marketing program and response data being reported from the fulfillment system.

2. Assist Director with strategic planning.

· Identify innovative marketing and distribution programs and business growth opportunities, including feasibility studies and recommendations.

· Assist Director with development of annual financial plan for fulfillment, circulation, revenue, and expenses, including re-forecasts and what-if scenarios.

· Assist Director with execution of fulfillment conversion plans.

3. Planning and Budgeting

· Works with staff to develop realistic, aggressive goals and holds team accountable

· Ensures that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives

4. Management

· Maintains a climate that attracts, retains and motivates top quality personnel

· Ensures effective management within team with provision for succession

· Supports and oversees cross-functional teams

· Keeps informed of developments in circulation marketing and fulfillment operations and uses this information to help the organization operate with initiative and innovation

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS

Reporting Relationships

Supervision: Reports to the Director of Circulation Marketing, CSPS

Supervises: Direct Marketing Manager, The Monitor and Direct Marketing Manager, JSH

Regular Contacts: Employees, managers, vendors, professionals, subscribers, and the public

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience: College degree in business or equivalent and 4+ years circulation experience and 3+ years fulfillment or customer service experience.

Knowledge/Skills: Experience managing staff. Ability to understand, interpret, and write about complex circulation systems information. Expertise in direct marketing, periodical distribution, financial modeling/forecasts, production, and statistical analysis. Excellent communication and creative skills. Computer (word processing, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing), and organizational skills.

Technology Skills: Above average computer literacy; particularly database and spreadsheet experience required.

Work Environment: Highly motivated self-starter who is analytical, detail-oriented, and able to manage several departments simultaneously. Ability to adapt traditional marketing/distribution principles to the Monitor and JSH unique business models, as well as to the organization’s operational and mission-related requirements.

Christian Science Information: Membership in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Primary class instruction are preferred.