Job Description

The Council for Professional Recognition is the nation's leading credentialing organization for early childhood educators and the home of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, the most widely recognized certification in early childhood education. For more than 45 years, the Council has advanced the professionalization of the ECE workforce by establishing rigorous standards that ensure educators have the skills and knowledge to support the healthy development of children from birth to age five.
We are seeking an innovative, operationally strong Director of Product Publishing to lead the full lifecycle of the Council's publishing portfolio and bookstore operations. This leader will oversee content development, product strategy, production, digital publishing, and merchandise expansion, ensuring our products remain mission-aligned, financially sustainable, and responsive to the needs of early childhood educators nationwide. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of the Council's publications and digital resources and strengthen the impact of materials relied on by tens of thousands of CDA candidates annually.
About the Role
The Director of Product Publishing leads a multifaceted portfolio that includes print and digital publications, e-books, audiobooks, supplemental materials, and the Council's online bookstore. This leader is responsible for product strategy, development, optimization, and financial performance, ensuring high-quality, accessible resources that advance educator success and support the Council's broader product ecosystem.
The role oversees publishing operations, vendor management, team leadership, product innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to meet quality, efficiency, and revenue goals.
Position Details
Location: Remote
Reports to: Vice President, Products
Salary Range: $135,000 - $140,000 (commensurate with experience)
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Travel: Approximately 20% as needed for vendor meetings, conferences, and product-related initiatives
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end publishing pipeline, managing content development, product updates, production, distribution, and product retirement across print, digital, and audio formats.

• Oversee the Council's online bookstore to ensure an efficient, user-friendly, and mission-aligned customer experience, including catalog curation, merchandise expansion, pricing, promotions, and inventory management.

• Conduct financial and performance analysis of publications and bookstore sales to identify opportunities for optimization, margin improvement, and product innovation.

• Partner with ECE experts to ensure content accuracy, relevance, and alignment with best practices; collaborate with marketing, IT, finance, and operations to support product launches and continuous improvement.

• Manage vendor relationships with authors, editors, designers, printers, and distributors; negotiate contracts and oversee production workflows to ensure quality and efficiency.

• Supervise publishing and bookstore staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation; establish KPIs to monitor performance, growth, and customer satisfaction.

Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is a strategic yet hands-on publishing leader who understands both the creative and operational sides of product development. The strongest candidates will bring:

• 10+ years of experience in publishing, product management, or bookstore operations, ideally within education, credentialing, or the nonprofit sector.

• Proven success managing publishing pipelines, launching new print and digital products, and driving product performance through data and financial analysis.

• Experience overseeing e-commerce operations, inventory management, and merchandise strategy.

• Strong vendor management skills with a track record of leading relationships with authors, editors, designers, printers, and distribution partners.

• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities with an ability to balance multiple complex projects and deadlines.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally across marketing, IT, research, and product teams.

• A commitment to equity, accessibility, and quality in educational resources.

• Bachelor's degree required in publishing, communication, marketing, business, or related field; master's degree preferred.

• Proficiency with publishing tools, digital content platforms, and e-commerce systems.

Why Work at the Council
The Council for Professional Recognition is more than a workplace; it is a mission-driven community where people stay, grow, and thrive. We are proud to be Great Place to Work Certified, with 96 percent of employees reporting that the Council is a great place to work. We invest deeply in the people who advance our mission and offer a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package designed to support well-being, work-life balance, and long-term success.
What We Offer:

• Remote-first environment with flexibility and trust

• 35-hour work week

• Highly competitive health benefits with 90 percent employer-paid premiums and full deductible coverage

• Dental, vision, and life insurance

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 10 percent employer contribution after one year

• 16 weeks of parental leave after one year

• FSA options for healthcare and dependent care

• Generous PTO including 13 holidays, 15 vacation days, and 12 sick days

• Professional development opportunities to support growth

At the Council, you will join a high-impact organization where your work directly influences the quality of early childhood education resources used nationwide.
Equal Opportunity
The Council for Professional Recognition is committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visas at this time.

Skills Required