Figure 1, a leading Canadian publisher of illustrated books, is seeking an experienced, full-time Manager of Author Relations and Community Outreach. This is a newly created role that is critical to the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to partner-focused publishing. 

As we operate in a hybrid publishing model (which you can learn more about here), our work is highly collaborative in nature, and we aim to harmonize our trade publishing strategy with our authors’ goals. We also work with many first-time authors. The Manager of Author Relations and Community Outreach will serve as our author’s advocate throughout the promotional process: supporting them as we navigate publicity and events, aligning our online calls to action, exploring new opportunities to spread the word about our books, and providing proactive updates on campaign progress throughout.

While we have a preference for a candidate with professional expertise and contacts, above all, our priority is someone who brings enthusiasm and curiosity to the work: a willingness to try out new approaches, engage in creative problem-solving, seek out advice, and grow as part of a small but accomplished and ambitious team.

About us

We work with storytellers, artists, curators, designers, chefs, and other creatives to make books of the highest quality, in the areas of art + photography, architecture + design, Indigenous art + culture, and food + drink.

Our values

• Passion for books: We have a shared love for well-written, beautifully designed books, and we seek to celebrate that in everything we do.
• Respect for our team: We treat our staff and freelancers with fairness, respecting their ideas, expertise and unique contributions, and compensating them equitably.
• Service-driven: We work hard to earn our clients’ trust and respect, taking time to listen to their publishing goals and ensure they are taken care of every step of the way.
• Pursuit of quality: We strive to produce exceptional books in collaboration with extraordinary publishing partners, always pushing to reach higher levels of excellence and to do better with every project.
• Collaborative: We believe in the positive impact of teamwork and knowledge sharing among our Figure 1 staff, clients and publishing partners to produce books that benefit all stakeholders.
• Disciplined: We are dedicated to regularly assessing and improving our systems, communications, client services, industry knowledge, business strategy and individual performances.

Key responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Director of Sales and Marketing, this pivotal role drives awareness of our titles and retail sell-through via the following functions:

• Leading strategic publicity campaigns for ~20 frontlist titles each year, and supporting backlist titles:

• • • Crafting compelling and timely pitches and following up to secure coverage from print, broadcast, and online media, as well as non-traditional outlets (including podcasters, content creators, and sponsored content outlets)
    • Nurturing strong interpersonal relationships with media and other promotional partners, and keeping on top of changes with media personnel and outlets
    • Monitoring media hits and compiling media summaries and review quotes for stakeholders
    • Engaging and supervising freelance publicity support when needed

• Providing support for author and publisher objectives:

• • • Coordinating author events, festival participation, press materials, and awards submissions
    • Providing high-level guidance to our authors on how to best leverage their own platforms for promotion
    • Administering author questionnaires and scheduling promotional meetings

• Managing our online platforms, including the company website, newsletter, and social media channels:

• • Developing creative content and calls to action for these platforms, with the support of other team members
  • Monitoring performance metrics and engagement to help refine our strategy

Preferred qualifications

• Interest in books and the publishing process as a whole – an appreciation for arts, culture, design, food, and lifestyle topics is a plus
• Certification and/or training in book publishing is beneficial, though not a requirement
• Experience working on effective media campaigns and building relationships with media and promotional partners
• A strong understanding of the current North American media landscape, as well as its relative influence on book sales – a working knowledge of major international media is a bonus
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute events
• Superior verbal and written communication, with skill at adapting messaging for different contexts and audiences
• Fluency with social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook primarily, along with TikTok and Bluesky) and awareness of current digital marketing trends
• Familiarity with collaboration tools (Dropbox, Google Suite, Asana), online marketing applications (WordPress, Loomly, Mailchimp, Canva, Google Analytics), and production and design programs (Adobe Acrobat and InDesign)
• Ability to prioritize, stay organized, and to work both independently and as part of a team
• Customer service / client-facing experience is an asset

Location and hours

We are a fully remote workplace. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, in the traditional, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, with other staff residing outside the region. We will consider applications from individuals who reside anywhere in Canada and are legally entitled to work in Canada. 

This is a full-time, salaried position with a targeted start date of early September 2025.

Regular work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PT, including a one-hour lunch break. Some flexibility in working hours can be accommodated, especially for those working in other timezones. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, in particular for events.

Occasional travel will be required, including to in-person team meetings in Vancouver.

Compensation and benefits

• Salary range: $65,000–$72,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Three weeks’ paid leave annually, in addition to the office closure between Christmas and New Year’s
• Annual healthcare spending account
• Participation in annual bonus program 
• Half-day Fridays in July and August
• Professional development opportunities 
• Copies of Figure 1 publications

Application process

Please fill out our application form, where you’ll be asked to upload your cover letter and résumé as a single PDF or Word document. 

Cover letters can be addressed to Heidi Waechtler, Director of Sales and Marketing – and we encourage you to let your personality shine.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning the week of July 28, 2025. As long as the application form is active, we are still accepting applications. As noted above, we are targeting an employment start date in early September 2025 or sooner.

We are committed to diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including those individuals who identify as BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ2+, and others who face barriers to employment. We ask applicants who require accommodation throughout the hiring process to connect by contacting heidi@figure1pub.com (however applications should be made using the form linked above).

We will advise all applicants once the position has been filled.