Job Description

Associate Publisher

Hancock House Publishers | Surrey, BC

About Hancock House Publishers

Incorporated in 1975, Hancock House Publishers is one of Western Canada's longest running independent publishing houses. Specializing in non-fiction content with a regional focus on the Pacific Northwest, we have developed a strong catalogue of genres ranging from natural history guidebooks to history, memoirs, conservation, folklore and a wide array of Indigenous content. Our sister organization, the Hancock Wildlife Foundation, also operates from our offices and is dedicated to the promotion of wildlife education and stewardship.

Position Summary

We're looking for an experienced Associate Publisher who can juggle the many hats required in independent publishing - and ideally, do it with a smile. As our Associate Publisher, you'll be integral to our operations: helping guide editorial and acquisition decisions, managing production workflows, and leading our digital marketing efforts to connect readers with books they'll love. You'll also support our day-to-day business needs and occasionally lend a hand to our sister charity, the Hancock Wildlife Foundation.

You're probably our person if:

You have a genuine passion for regional publishing and natural history

You bring entrepreneurial energy, creativity, and a strong work ethic

You can move comfortably between the creative side of publishing and the analytical world of digital marketing

You've got the interpersonal skills to navigate the wonderfully diverse personalities in the writing world

You're not fazed by challenge and can keep your sense of humor when things get hectic (because in publishing, they inevitably will)

You bring entrepreneurial hustle, creative mojo, and the kind of work ethic that makes things actually happen

This role requires someone ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the various aspects of North American book publishing. We're looking for a collaborative partner who's genuinely excited about what we do and ready to help us grow our reach in the digital marketplace.

What You'll Actually Be Doing

You'll be part detective, part diplomat, and part book champion. You'll help us find great manuscripts that align with our mission, work closely with authors (both the established ones and the exciting new voices), and make strategic calls about which titles deserve our energy and resources. You'll keep editorial timelines on track, coordinate with our production team, and help manage the practical realities of print orders and inventory.

Here's where you get to be part creative storyteller, part data nerd. You'll develop and execute marketing campaigns that actually get people excited about our books, manage our digital presence across platforms, and work with distribution partners to make sure our titles show up when readers are looking. You'll craft email campaigns, experiment with digital advertising (Google Ads, Amazon, social media), and help grow our community of readers who genuinely care about what we publish.

This is the "making it all happen" part. You'll coordinate between editorial, design, and production teams to ensure books are both beautiful and on time. You'll contribute to budget planning, help with distribution and inventory decisions, and participate in strategic planning for where we're headed next. You'll also help manage our team and contractors, keep production schedules humming along, and support grant applications. When time allows, you'll contribute to industry initiatives through organizations like Books BC and ACP.

What We Need From You

Multilingual or bilingual proficiency in English 5+ years in book publishing with solid experience in at least two areas (editorial, marketing, or production) A proven track record in digital marketing and/or book production Real understanding of how publishing works - the workflows, the distribution channels, the whole ecosystem The ability to juggle multiple projects without dropping the ball (or at least being able to triage which one to drop first!) Excellent communication skills - you can write, you can talk, you can explain things clearly- to a diverse group of audiences. Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Publishing, Marketing, or something related (or equivalent real-world experience) Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) You have the patience level of at least a godmother

The Nice-to-Haves:

Genuine interest in or experience with natural history, Indigenous culture, regional history, or related subjects (bonus points if you can tell a crow from a raven) Knowledge of Pacific Northwest and Western Canadian markets Experience with small to mid-sized independent publishers (you understand the indie publishing hustle) Understanding of e-book production and distribution Experience managing direct-to-consumer sales Proficiency with digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, email platforms, and social media management tools

What We're Offering

Compensation:

$54,000-$65,000 annually, based on experience and aligned with current Canadian publishing industry standards

Benefits:

Health and dental coverage Vacation and paid time off Professional development opportunities (we want you to keep growing) Flexible work arrangements with hybrid options (we trust you to get the work done) Potential profit sharing based on how well we do together as a team

Work Environment:

You'll be based at our Surrey, BC office with the flexibility of hybrid work. You'll collaborate closely with our team and occasionally travel for industry events and book fairs.

About Our Reach:

Hancock House titles are distributed through trade and rack accounts along the Pacific coast and into BC, Alberta, and Alaska. You'll work with a publisher that has genuine regional impact and international reach through our partnerships with University of Toronto Press Distribution and Gazelle Book Services.

To Apply

Send us your resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample of some past work you have done or been involved with (marketing copy, editorial memo, or something comparable that shows how you think and write).

In your cover letter, we'd love to hear about:

Your experience with the publishing or related industries What draws you to our publishing focus areas (natural history, Indigenous culture, regional history) Why working at a small, independent press appeals to you Three references who can speak to your qualifications and experience
If this sounds like the kind of challenge you'd actually enjoy tackling, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us a PDF of the above items to employment@hancockhouse.com

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $54,000.00-$65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Designated paid holidays Flexible schedule On-site parking Paid time off Store discount Vision care
Education:

Secondary School (preferred)
Experience:

Publishing: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Surrey, BC