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Job opportunity: Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

ASSOCIATION OF BOOK PUBLISHERS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Books BC is seeking a dynamic leader with experience in not-for-profit management and publishing to serve as its next Executive Director. This is a full-time position, based in Vancouver, BC. All Books BC staff currently work a hybrid schedule (mix of in-person and remote). More details on location and hours of work can be found below.

ABOUT BOOKS BC

Established in 1978, Books BC is a provincial association of BC-owned and controlled book publishing companies. Books BC works to support the long-term health and success of BC’s independent publishers through advocacy, marketing, building awareness and business development. Our work is driven by a volunteer board of directors and committees that respond to the needs of our membership.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

  • Senior-level publishing or non-profit leadership
  • Group facilitation and consensus building, ideally including board work
  • Human resources including recruiting, managing, and developing staff, consultants, and contractors
  • Financial management including budgeting, managing cashflow, and financial reporting
  • Industry advocacy and government relations
  • Grant writing and reporting, as well as identifying funding opportunities
  • Program oversight and strategic management
  • Communications and public relations

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the publishing industry and desire to support BC’s vibrant and diverse book publishing community 
  • Resourcefulness, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving abilities
  • Strong time management, project management, and organizational skills
  • Dynamic public speaking and presentation skills with media training considered an asset 
  • Interpersonal communication skills and exceptional writing and editing abilities
  • Desire to support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and industry 
  • Familiarity with collaboration tools (including Google Workspace and Asana) and current marketing and social media platforms
  • An understanding of the Canadian and/or BC book-publishing industry and marketplace; an awareness of new publishing technologies, trends, and practices will be considered a  significant asset

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Executing the organization’s operational plan in line with the strategic priorities set by the board and membership
  • Managing the organization’s finances, including working with an external bookkeeper and coordinating  an annual review
  • Representing the organization to government, other industry and community organizations, and the public
  • Managing an office of three additional staff, and reporting to the board and the membership 
  • Engaging with the membership, board, and other stakeholders through regular meetings and communications
  • Responding to emerging issues and trends in the industry, helping to develop policy objectives and positions, and serving as an industry advocate
  • Exploring funding opportunities and writing grant applications and reports
  • Ensuring that the association’s practices, activities, and decisions are consistent with its constitution and bylaws, mission, and other policies, and respect the Association’s legal and regulatory obligations
  • Providing oversight, as needed,  to our programs, such as Read Local BC, Poetry In Transit and our Books for Schools database

LOCATION & HOURS OF WORK

We maintain an office in downtown Vancouver and observe standard working hours. Currently, staff are operating in a hybrid on-site/remote capacity. The incumbent will be required to reside in British Columbia and to be available to travel to the Vancouver office. Some evening and weekend work may be required, as well as occasional travel to Victoria and to other parts of the province as needed. Some out-of-province travel may be required. 

COMPENSATION

$70,000–$80,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include a comprehensive extended health plan, professional development opportunities, a monthly allotment of personal time, and a hybrid work schedule. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please email a cover letter and resume to careers@books.bc.ca by Feb 9, 2026. Applications and queries will be kept confidential. Please do not contact the Books BC office by phone or by email. 

Interviewing will take place mid-February. We are targeting a start date of March 2nd or 9th, 2026 to provide overlap with our outgoing ED.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Books BC is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. We particularly encourage applicants who identify as being from diverse communities, including those who are Indigenous, people of colour, people with disabilities, people identifying as LGBTQ2S+, and people facing economic barriers.