Author Engagement Manager (12 month contract)

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported.
If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role: 

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is looking for an Author Engagement Manager to join the Kobo Writing Life team on a 12-month contract. Reporting to the Director, Kobo Writing Life (English language), the Author Engagement Manager will focus on author care and support, community growth, and marketing initiatives for Kobo Writing Life. This role is pivotal in enhancing the author experience, managing the Help Centre, and driving engagement through social media and digital marketing. 

Kobo Writing Life is Rakuten Kobo’s self-publishing platform, empowering independent authors worldwide. We pride ourselves on being the most author-friendly platform, helping authors reach readers globally. This role is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to supporting and growing the indie author community. 

Responsibilities: 

Author Care & Support 

• Oversee support to authors via Zendesk, ensuring timely and effective responses to their queries and concerns. 
• Maintain and update the Help Centre with new articles, guides, and video tutorials to streamline the self-publishing process and empower authors with self-service resources. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to enhance workflows for author care, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for authors. 

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Community Management 

• Develop and nurture strong relationships with the indie author community, acting as a trusted point of contact and advocate for their needs. 
• Organize virtual events, webinars, and other initiatives to engage and support authors, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. 
• Act as a liaison between authors and the KWL team, gathering feedback to inform platform improvements and ensure the author community's voice is heard. 

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Marketing & Social Media 

• Oversee KWL’s social media channels, working with content creators to curate engaging and relevant content to build a vibrant online presence. 
• Develop and execute digital marketing campaigns aimed at growing the author audience and increasing platform visibility. 

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Required qualifications: 

• College/university diploma or equivalent course study, ideally with a focus on publishing or book selling programs, a college/university diploma or work/project experience in the realm of digital media/content, or other books related experience (for example: experience working at a bookstore, running a book blog/Bookstagram/BookTok)  
• 3-5 years relevant experience in operations and/or marketing. 
• Hands on experience in Zendesk or similar support software, experience working with collaboration and work management tools (eg. ClickUp, Jira, Asana) and/or knowledge of social media advertising platforms. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven track record of working collaboratively with different teams to solve problems. 
• Flexibility and ability to juggle many projects and priorities simultaneously.  
• Creative thinker with ideas on how the platform can further develop and diversify.  
• Bonus: An interest in writing is a plus. 

Nice-to-haves: 

• We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual who thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in bookselling, e-commerce, and digital reading, with a particular enthusiasm for self-publishing and supporting indie authors. Here’s what we’re looking for: 
• You have experience in customer service and are adept at handling questions and concerns gracefully, while constantly asking, “How can we improve?” 
• You are meticulous and detail-oriented, ensuring that all aspects of author care and support are handled efficiently and effectively. 
• You are comfortable working independently and taking initiative in a team that values a “DIY” approach. 
• You have experience working with Excel and Google Sheets, and an interest in analytics to inform decision-making and improve processes. 
• You are confident in your computer skills and are agile in learning new programs and tools. 
• You have experience in social media management and digital marketing, with a knack for creating engaging content that resonates with the target audience. 
• You are passionate about building and nurturing relationships within the indie author community. You enjoy organizing events and initiatives that foster engagement and collaboration. 

The Perks:   

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment 
• Subsidized in-office lunches 
• Talent and development training budget 
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook 
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions 
• Dog friendly office 

About Rakuten Kobo Inc. 

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.  

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.  

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.  

#RKIND 

Please submit a cover letter along with your resume when applying.