Offer summary

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree, advanced degree is a plus., 7-10 years of experience in publishing, self-publishing, or digital content sales., Strong knowledge of ebooks and audiobooks business models., Excellent communication and leadership skills..

Key responsibilities:

Oversee Kobo’s self-publishing and Originals strategy and business.

Lead growth initiatives for Kobo Writing Life and Kobo Originals.

Develop strategic plans based on market analysis and user research.

Manage and support global teams responsible for content sales and development.

Job description

Job Description:

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. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options and training opportunities.

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

Reporting to the SVP, Publisher Relations, Catalog & Content Sales , the Vice President, Self Publishing and Kobo Originals is responsible for overseeing Kobo’s self-publishing and Originals strategy and business. Responsibilities include delivering on objectives for growing Kobo Writing Life (KWL) and Kobo Originals global catalog and content sales.

KWL is Kobo’s platform for users to publish their books on Kobo and Kobo Originals is our in house Publisher. Both businesses have a geographic growth ambition on expanding the user base expansion, the brand and the business overall.

As Vice President, Self Publishing and Kobo Originals you are an advocate for the Kobo Writing Life and Kobo originals business. You will deliver ongoing competitive analysis of the self-publishing market and develop strategic plans based on it. You will lead the prioritization of the KWL/Originals development roadmap by incorporating user research, identifying business opportunities & innovations, and building business cases to support new platform features. You will foster cross-departmental collaboration to develop and implement strategies that drive growth in catalog and sales, highlighting the strategic importance of KWL and Originals to Kobo's overall success. Finally, you will lead, oversee and support the dynamic, global Kobo Writing Life and Originals business teams that are responsible for supporting all of the above.

The Person

University Bachelor’s Degree, advanced degree is a plus;
7-10 years business experience, with a focus in publishing, self-publishing, or digital content sales;
Strong familiarity with ebooks/audiobooks business models and operating practices;
You have a passion for Kobo Writing Life’s mission to create a best-in-industry self-publishing platform for writers around the world, and can balance authors’ needs with internal business goals;
You have a passion for developing the Originals program that sits between our global publishing partners and the content creation industry, and adds differentiating value to the Kobo content offering;
Experience building and managing a business P&L, budget and OPEX, tracking sales results, and strong attention to detail;
You have proven ability to lead a remote team and work cross-functionally across an organization, countries and cultures;
Foundational understanding of technical systems, enabling to align processes have and effective communication with cross functional teams.
You are a confident brand representative, comfortable presenting to internal and external groups as a subject matter expert;
Strong understanding of large-scale customer experience management is a plus;
Understanding of the publishing process, ranging from commissioning and acquiring rights to position a title and mounting an online marketing campaign;
Exceptional oral and written communication required.

The Perks:

Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
Subsidized in-office lunches
Full benefits starting from your first day
Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid (3 days a week in-office)
Extended long weekends in the summer
Lifestyle spending account
Talent and development training budget
Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
Maternity/paternity leave top up
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.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more: https://rakutenemploymentalert.com/

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