Director of the University of Utah Press

The University of Utah Press is located at the J. Willard Marriott Library, at the heart of the university’s academic community, on a growing campus with an expanding student population. The Press publishes and disseminates scholarly books and other printed and recorded materials of significance to Utah, the region, the country, and the world. To further its mission, the University of Utah Press seeks a dynamic leader to advance its award\-winning program and to advocate for the Press in a rapidly\-changing scholarly publishing environment.

The successful candidate will provide strategic direction, fiscal oversight, and forward\-looking executive leadership to the Press. The director manages six full\-time staff and reports to the Alice Sheets Marriott Dean of Libraries; works with the senior editor and acquisitions staff to set publication priorities and monitor the development of new book projects; and as a member of the library’s Executive Committee and the Dean’s Cabinet, helps develop and approve library strategies and policies. Business savvy, political acumen, and diplomacy will be essential in all aspects of this role.

Work Location: Relocation to the Salt Lake City, Utah, area is required and will be financially supported by a moving allowance. This position is currently designed as a hybrid of on\-campus and local remote work. The telecommuting arrangement will be based on the position’s needs and authorized at the discretion of the Dean of Libraries.

Join our community: We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including those who may not have followed a traditional career path. We are particularly interested in identifying and interviewing candidates with experience and expertise that will contribute to advancing our mission of publishing significant books with global reach.

Working at the University of Utah Press offers an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the intellectual life of the University, surrounding community, and beyond. We enjoy many partnerships on campus and across the state, including the Marriott Library’s Division of Special Collections, the University of Utah’s Center for Middle East studies, and the Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment. We publish the annual volume of The Tanner Lectures on Human Values in partnership with the internationally renowned program. The University’s Environmental Humanities program recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary, making it one of the oldest such programs in the country; we annually support one of their graduate assistants at the Press, giving us the opportunity to work with and form long\-term relationships with their students. Other notable relationships we value include the Division of State History, Utah Westerners, BYU Museum of Peoples and Cultures, the Wasatch Festival of Books, the Entrada Institute, the many nonprofits working on issues related to Great Salt Lake, and with the many local independent bookstores that enliven Salt Lake City’s literary landscape. We are proud to award our own biennial Don D. and Catherine S. Fowler Prize and to partner in awarding the annual Agha Shahid Ali Prize in Poetry.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision, strategy, and long\-term planning for all aspects of the Press’s publication program and communicates these to internal and external stakeholders Leads the work of the Faculty Advisory Committee. Serves as the outward facing presence of the Press and develops strong relationships with the campus and community.
• Oversees the editorial direction of the Press. This includes setting publication priorities and scrutinizing manuscripts and budgets for acquisitions program. Requires familiarity with publication disciplines and the ability to assess markets and potential sales.
• Manages a \~$1\.1M annual budget; reviews monthly financial statements and makes decisions to maximize profitability of Press operations.
• Oversees grant writing, publishing initiatives, fundraising, negotiating co\-publishing agreements and distribution agreements. Drafts publication agreements and other legal instruments.
• Establishes editorial, design, and production guidelines and processes that reflect the Press’s overall publication standards. Manages the team to ensure that standards are met.
• Develops a marketing strategy and sales decisions with regard to conference travel, seasonal catalogs, and budgets and strategies.
• Maintains strong relationships with the executive director of the Association of University Presses and in the collegial environment of other university press directors.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCYSTATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree \= 4 years of directly related work experience).

Director, Operations Management – Division/Business Unit (Non\-Executive): Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) \+ 12 years or a master’s (or equivalency) \+ 10 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Master’s degree, preferably in a field related to the Press’s publications program (including anthropology, archaeology, Mesoamerican studies, American Indian studies, linguistics, natural history, nature writing, Utah and Western history, and Mormon studies). Five years’ prior publishing experience either at the director or senior staff level, preferably at a scholarly press. Ability to assess manuscripts for suitability for publication. Understanding of academic departmental budgeting and cost control along with the economics of book publishing. A successful track record in strategic planning, financial management, and nonprofit organizational leadership. Demonstrated human relations and exceptional communication skills.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

All applications received by March 8, 2026 will receive full consideration.

Required documents to upload:* Cover Letter

* Resume or CV

* List of 3 Professional References

Additional Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy\-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106\. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

Director/ Title IX Coordinator

*Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA)*

383 University Street, Level 1 OEO Suite

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801\-581\-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at *oeo.utah.edu*

*For more information:* *https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/*

*To inquire about this posting, email:* *employment@utah.edu* *or call 801\-581\-2300\.*

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801\) 581\-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post\-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801\) 366\-7770 or (800\) 695\-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801\) 581\-7447 if you have questions regarding the post\-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security\-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

• ------------------------------

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (\*).

\ What is your highest level of completed education?

+ None

+ High School Diploma or Equivalent

+ Associate Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree

+ Doctorate Degree

\ How many years of related work experience do you have?

+ Less than 2 years

+ 2 years or more, but less than 4 years

+ 4 years or more, but less than 6 years

+ 6 years or more, but less than 8 years

+ 8 years or more, but less than 10 years

+ 10 years or more, but less than 12 years

+ 12 years or more, but less than 14 years

+ 14 years or more

\ Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

+ Yes

+ No

\ Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H\-1B status)?

+ Yes

+ No

Applicant Documents

• -----------------------

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Open Date 02/14/2026

Requisition Number PRN44271B

Job Title Operations Management \- Division/Business Unit (Non\-Executive)

Working Title Director of the University of Utah Press

Career Progression Track M00

Track Level M6 \- Director

FLSA Code Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday\-Friday between 8am and 6pm.

Some evenings and weekends may be required.

VP Area Academic Affairs

Department 00338 \- University Press

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $120,000 to $150,000

Close Date 05/15/2026

Priority Review Date (Note \- Posting may close at any time) 03/08/2026