What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Publisher position at DAVID C COOK?
Shape the Stories That Shape the Church
David C Cook is looking for an accomplished Associate Publisher, Brand & Acquisitions to help shape the future of our publishing ministry, building influential brands, acquiring high-impact authors and content, and developing a publishing organization positioned for lasting growth and impact.
Partnering closely with the Executive Publisher, you’ll help shape and execute publishing and acquisitions strategy while taking significant ownership of key publishing portfolios and initiatives. You’ll identify opportunities, evaluate investments and risks, establish priorities, and translate our broader vision into publishing strategies that are actionable, commercially sound, and aligned with our mission to serve the global Church.
At the heart of this role is the opportunity to discover and develop content that matters. You’ll lead high-level acquisitions of authors, ministries, brands, and content platforms; evaluate author platforms and long-term brand potential; and build trusted relationships with authors, agents, and ministry partners. You’ll also help grow key publishing brands and categories, identify new audiences and partnerships, and position David C Cook as a preferred publishing partner.
Your impact will extend well beyond acquisitions. You’ll lead and develop our Books/Editorial and Acquisitions teams, mentor emerging leaders, strengthen publishing capabilities, and establish the structure, priorities, resources, and expectations needed for a high-performing organization. You’ll also collaborate closely with marketing, sales, editorial, and production to strengthen positioning, go-to-market execution, audience engagement, and product lifecycle success.
This is an opportunity for a publishing leader who wants to combine mission, strategy, creativity, and commercial leadership, helping bring culturally relevant, biblically grounded content to life while expanding its reach and impact around the world.
Qualifications:What You’ll Bring to the Role
We’re looking for a seasoned publishing leader with the experience, relationships, judgment, and theological grounding to help lead an influential Christian publishing portfolio.
A bachelor’s degree in Publishing, Theology, Business Administration, or a related field is required, with a master’s degree preferred. You should bring 8–12 years of leadership experience in publishing, acquisitions, or editorial, including demonstrated success acquiring and developing high-impact authors and content and contributing to and implementing publishing strategy.
You’ll bring deep expertise in acquisitions strategy and author platform development, a strong understanding of publishing industry trends across print, digital, and emerging formats, and familiarity with contracts, copyright, and intellectual property. Experience in Christian publishing or a ministry context is strongly preferred, along with a deep understanding of biblical theology and Christ-centered content development.
Just as important is how you lead. We’re looking for someone who can develop managers and professional teams, make thoughtful decisions about publishing opportunities and investments, steward significant author and partner relationships, and balance mission impact with audience, revenue, and profitability objectives. You should be equally comfortable mentoring an acquisitions team, negotiating a significant author relationship, contributing to financial and strategic planning, and representing publishing priorities in senior-level discussions.
Above all, you’ll bring a passion for developing people, strengthening publishing brands, and identifying content with the potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the global Church.
Benefits and Perks:
- Medical Plan: HDHP w/ HSA (All Staff) or Direct Primary Care Option (Colorado Employees Only)
- Dental Plan
- Vision Plan
- 401(k) w/ Company Match ($0.50 on the $1 up to 10% of eligible compensation)
- Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance Options
- Long-Term Disability
- Short-Term Disability
- Voluntary Accident
- Life Assistance Plan
Other Benefits:
- Adoption Benefit
- Benevolence Fund
- Service Recognition Leave
- Volunteer Days
- Holidays
- Sick Time
- Pet Insurance Discounts
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Maternity Leave
- Paternity Leave
- New Childbirth Assistance
Salary : $93,152 - $116,440