Job Description

An Unlikely Story is a premier Independent Book Store founded by Jeff Kinney, renowned author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! It's truly a magical space with retail, cafe, gifts and ample meeting and event space that hosts famous authors, celebrities and more!

They have a newly created role to fill as a Community Relations Manager working out of their Plainville location.

This position will be a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and would require being on site on occasional evening and weekend events.

Compensation of 70k base salary plus bonuses.

You will work with a creative, thoroughly passionate and engaged team in this amazing environment.

This role will manage a Marketing Coordinator and an Event Coordinator. Seeking a resourceful, outgoing and sales oriented person. This will involve outreach to corporations, school systems, non profits, etc. to make them aware of the B2B offerings of An Unlikely Story including meeting/event space, library sales, corporate books/training materials, etc.

Position Title: Community Relations Manager

Reports to: General Manager Job Category: Exempt

Job Summary:

The Community Relations Manager is responsible for shaping and managing the public image of An Unlikely Story. This role involves media relations, event promotion, community engagement, and reputation management to ensure our brand remains a cornerstone of the community and beyond.

The Community Relations Manager is responsible for overseeing planning, executing, and promoting company events to generate brand awareness, customer engagement, and lead generation, often by overseeing all aspects of event logistics, marketing campaigns, and post-event analysis, while aligning with the overall marketing strategy to achieve specific business goals.

The Community Relations Manager plays a key role in connecting the bookstore with our community and authors with readers by supervising the efforts of the marketing and events team (marketing coordinator and event coordinator).

The Community Relations Manager is responsible for establishing and nurturing relationships with local businesses and schools. They will create and manage sales initiatives and develop additional strategies to maximize outreach and engagement. This person will oversee the revenue stream generated from these initiatives.

This person is responsible for overseeing the design and creation of marketing and publicity materials for promoting events and the store, including but not limited to press releases; in-store flyers, signs and displays; websites, social media and print advertising, and community outreach. The Manager is also responsible for overseeing the timely submission of claims for co-op reimbursement based on store marketing and publicity. This role involves media relations, event promotion, community engagement, and reputation management to ensure our brand remains a cornerstone of the community and beyond. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator with a passion for storytelling, community outreach, and the literary world.

This is the perfect job for a book lover who is well organized, a good writer, comfortable speaker, and strong enough to lift some books!

Key Responsibilities:

Event Planning and Execution (with the Event Coordinator)

* Assume a dynamic public relations role on behalf of An Unlikely Story that contributes to consistently positive and mutually beneficial relationships with publishers, authors, media personnel, the local community and other key contacts.

*Propose and effectively pitch ideas to publishers and authors to ensure that the Store offers events that are timely, engaging and set An Unlikely Story apart from its competitors. Utilize Edelweiss, publisher catalogues and grids to develop ideas for events and seek bookseller input.

* Select appropriate settings and locations that contribute to successful events and generate positive responses from attendees and authors. Determine how an event should be ticketed and utilize Eventbrite or other ticketing methods.

* Oversee the execution of all pre-event activities: from working with the event coordinator to prepare related orders of event book and backlist books; establish book quantity counts before and after events; create event tickets; coordinate email invitations and notifications; and notify booksellers of events and any ticketing procedures. Direct event staff and recruit volunteers when volunteers are needed.

* Identify community events that may have an impact on the store or need store assistance.

*Coordinate with the managers to ensure staffing is adequate for the event, bookstore and café. Coordinate and direct staff and volunteers to ensure that events run smoothly.

* Present events in a style that provides a unique customer experience - inspiring loyalty and return visits from our current customers and attracting new visitors to An Unlikely Story.

* Oversee the staff coverage, including appropriate hosts for the venue, and all set-up procedures to ensure that customers' service expectations are met. Host and introduce authors or ensure that the host is appropriately trained and prepared to introduce the author. Oversee all wrap-up procedures from overall clean up, to ringing up offsite sales to the collection of books for return or display.

Marketing & Promotion (with the Marketing Coordinator)

*Strategize, develop and execute PR campaigns to maximize attendance at major book releases, author event or seasonal promotions .

*Collaborate closely with the events team to ensure cohesive messaging and outreach. Work with the social media team to ensure consistent and engaging messaging across platforms.

*Market and promote all events by writing and distributing press releases; creating flyers and in store marketing materials using Adobe InDesign; distributing flyers; creating in-store monthly calendars; posting events to our website; creating email event blasts using Constant Contact and social media; and reaching out to specific groups & organizations as appropriate.

*Build and maintain strong relationships with local and national media outlets.

*Coordinate media coverage and secure interviews for authors, staff, and key events.

*Design and create print advertising as needed for holiday catalogues, sponsorships and other general advertising.

*Assist in the design and creation of in-store signage for marketing promotions.

* Submit all event documentation to publishers to receive co-op credit and track credit received when needed.

* Re-confirm events with publishers, determine all author needs, coordinate autograph requests and collect customer data for marketing purposes, as generally required or may be necessary for specific events. Manage book inventory for events in conjunction with the event sign ups, and order additional books as needed.

Community engagement

*Represent the store at public forums, panels and local business associations.

*Partner with schools, libraries, and other organizations to create outreach programs and foster community connections.

*Monitor public perception of the store and address issues proactively.

*In collaboration with the General Manager: respond to reviews or customer inquiries that impact brand image, develop and implement plans for handling emergencies or sensitive situations, and serve as the spokesperson during crises when necessary.

Team Building and Management

*Lead and direct the Marketing and Events Team consisting of the Marketing Coordinator and the Event Coordinator. Providing coaching, training, and conducting reviews.

*Keep bookstore staff informed about store accomplishments, events and updates to maintain morale and cohesion.

* Provide constructive feedback on how the Store might be improved; be a positive contributing member of the management team; attend or initiate meetings, as required; volunteer support, whenever possible.

Post-Event Analysis and Reporting

* Report event results to the publisher and managers. Track and report monthly event metrics including sales, attendance, and staffing.

*Gather attendee feedback through surveys and post-event communications.

*Analyze event data to identify successes and areas for improvement.

* Assist customers and co-workers on the sales floor when needed.

REQUIREMENTS

_______________________

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably with a concentration in communications, marketing, business administration or a related field.

• Must have experience in PR, Marketing, Sales or Event Planning, preferably within the retail, publishing or related industries.

• Must have two to four years of experience in community relations, sales, business development or public relations.

• Must have two to four years of experience as a supervisor or manager.

• Experience in outside sales or B2B selling preferred.

• Must have graphic design experience, an eye for design aesthetics and be attentive to details.

Knowledge, Ability and Skills

• Proficient in MS Word; Excel; Social Media; Constant Contact and Adobe InDesign and highly skilled in the use of social media.

• Must possess exceptional writing and verbal communication skills.

• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an emphasis on written communication skills and professional presence.

• Must have outstanding organizational, time management and problem-solving skills and be attentive to details.

• Must be able to think creatively and select or recommend events independently of outside requests.

• Skills in managing one’s own time and the time of others.

• Ability to coordinate, organize and plan with extreme attention to detail.

• Ability to deal tactfully, appropriately and effectively with the public.

• Ability to attend and oversee events that occur at night or on weekends.

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