WAN-IFRA, based in Paris, France, and Frankfurt, Germany, with subsidiaries in Singapore and India, is the global organisation of the world’s newspapers and news publishers. It represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. Its core mission is to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity and the development of prosperous businesses.
To lead our DistriPress Community, we are looking for:
Director, DistriPress (full-time)
Location: Frankfurt (hybrid or remote working arrangement possible)
The lead expert for all international providers, products and services linked to the topic of distribution in magazine and news publishing, with a particular focus on physical print products. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, there is a dual focus on understanding the challenges of publisher and distributor members and leading the DistriPress team and community while ensuring the financial sustainability of DistriPress activities.
Responsibilities include:
- Preparing an annual business plan in line with WAN-IFRA and Community objectives
- Experience in managing an independent P&L
- Managing DistriPress events and related budget including the flagship annual Congress which includes location and venue sourcing, social event planning, sourcing sponsorship, coordinating design and gift bags, developing the speaker programme
- Running the administration and communication for the DistriPress Advisory Board including preparing agendas, meetings, minutes and setting up and monitoring working parties in line with strategic objectives
- Developing an annual program of relevant webinars, written content and reports focussed on distribution and related topics
- Developing DistriPress as a valued knowledge hub for circulation and distribution executives
- Actively developing connections across the community and other WAN-IFRA communities to enable new business opportunities for members
- Supporting the WAN-IFRA membership acquisition and retention through DistriPress activities.
- Providing value-added executive programmes for leading members of the DistriPress community to come together, share learnings and spur new ideas
- Augmenting the content for the annual Congress with suggestions of relevant case studies or speakers, and moderating as required
- Managing one part-time team member
Profile needed:
- Direct working knowledge and experience of international physical distribution in the publishing industry
- Knowledge of planning and delivering events would be an advantage
- Fundamental understanding of the challenges faced by distributors, publishers and service providers and how these vary by country
- Energy and new ideas to integrate the DistriPress community into WAN-IFRA and to expand the offer to members
- Proven experience working and communicating with C-level executives and ideally experience working with a Board
- Comfortable presenting or moderating at events whether live or online
- Excellent organisation and project management skills
- Marketing and sales acumen – able to convince members and future members of the value of the DistriPress community and WAN-IFRA.
- Strong distribution understanding – comfortable talking about international distribution for publishers
- Leadership skills to manage and motivate the DistriPress team, including self-motivation and the ability to collaborate with international teams on common projects and initiatives
- English is the working language at WAN-IFRA. Working knowledge of French or German beneficial
- Willingness to travel
Work Environment & Benefits:
WAN-IFRA offers excellent working conditions, in a friendly professional environment. We provide equal employment opportunities and values diversity.
- Competitive salary and benefits package, with flexible work arrangements.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic and mission-driven organization at the forefront of media advocacy and innovation
Please send your CV by 31 October 2024 to Dr. Matthias Huth, WAN-IFRA, Rotfeder-Ring 11, 60327 Frankfurt or by email at job@wan-ifra.org