ABA Part-Time Member Relations Manager

American Booksellers Association is a national trade association that supports and advocates for the success of independent bookstores. We provide members with education, networking opportunities, advocacy, resources, and technology. In turn our members support local schools through book fairs, donations and author visits; promote literacy; provide inclusive community centers; connect readers and books; add character to neighborhoods; champion and center diverse and new voices; and contribute to the local economy. We feel honored to support them in their work.

ABA’s Member Relations Manager is part of the ABA Membership Team. Each member of this team is responsible for outreach and support of members in their assigned regions, acting as those members’ primary contact. Individuals on the ABA Membership Team work to ensure member engagement, satisfaction, and access to resources, education, and information. This role reports directly to the Director of Membership.

This part-time Member Relations Manager role is responsible for supporting ABA’s Associate (publishers, distributors, wholesalers, and other book industry vendors) members, as well as assisting with support for independent bookstore members in all regions and special projects as needed. The ideal candidate is a self-directed, outgoing people-person who loves books and bookstores. This position will require domestic travel at least 1–2 times/year for periods of 2–4 days, and 2 times/year for periods of 8–10 days. During those times some nights and weekends will be required.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Develop strong relationships with associate members, bookstores and booksellers.
• Manage a portfolio of associate member accounts as their primary liaison with ABA, as mentioned above but subject to change.
• Process new membership applications and corresponding data entry.
• Provide technical support to members and facilitate access to resources and activities.
• Respond to member inquiries about new and evergreen programs and services.
• Helping members access resources and activities
• Traveling to trade shows, forums, and conferences to represent the Membership Team and provide information about ABA to booksellers and industry staff.
• Additional job duties may be assigned.

Other responsibilities include:

• Assist in the organization, maintenance, storage, and presentation of ABA’s data.
• Prepare regular, periodic, and ad-hoc membership reports.
• Demonstrating a commitment to inclusion, equity, and access through continuous learning and development, and modeling inclusive behaviors

Job requirements include:

• Passion for independent bookstores and/or books
• Commitment to and experience supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
• Highly organized and able to independently and effectively manage short- and long-term projects; strong project management and self-direction
• Ability to work efficiently and handle tight deadlines and changing needs
• Demonstrated experience providing excellent customer service in a calm, compassionate manner
• Concise and clear communication skills via email, phone, and person-to-person
• Proficient computer skills with an emphasis on Microsoft and Google suite applications
• Bachelor’s or associate's degree, or equivalent (comparable nontraditional self-education, i.e. lifelong learner, certificates and/or classes, or work, volunteer, or internship experience equivalent)
• Close mental and visual attention required to perform work dealing primarily with preparing and analyzing data and figures, using a computer terminal, and/or extensive reading.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Must be able to do repetitive motion of hands or wrists, finger, grasp, handle, or feel; push and pull with arms; reach with arms and/or hands; crouch, bend, or kneel. Occasionally may need to climb.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.

Ideal qualifications include:

• Experience in the Publishing industry
• CRM or other database experience (CiviCRM preferred but please apply if others)

Location: Remote

Compensation: $26 per hour. This is a part-time position of 25 hours per-week broken into 5 hours per day, Monday - Friday. Our ideal candidate will be available to work between 11 am and 4 pm Eastern time, though there is some flexibility here.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter that speaks to why you want this job; your previous professional and/or personal experience supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the workplace and/or your community; and your interest in independent bookstores; as well as your resume to Ryan Quinn, Director of Membership through our application form. Applications will be accepted until the role is filled, with a projected start date in late March to early April (but will be dependent upon the candidate’s needs.) Please review ABA’s full values statement before applying.

Equal Opportunity:

ABA believes diversity and diverse perspectives make our organization stronger, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and an association that’s representative of all of our members and the customers they serve. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age; ethnicity; color; race; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity and/or expression; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; physical, mental, or sensory disability; national, social, or ethnic origin; neurodiversity; pregnancy; family or parental status; and/or genetic information (including family medical history).

Important Note:

If you are passionate about ABA’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.