Overview
Packt's mission is to help the world put software to work in new ways, through the delivery of effective learning and information services to IT professionals. We are one of the most prolific and fast-growing tech publishers in the world with over 8000 books and videos published.
Community Relations Specialists in the Packt Expert Network team add value to the team, and all our products, by acquiring expert Technical Reviewers (TRs), Authors and developing and maintaining a strong community on Discord. Each Community Relations Specialist specializes in specific area(s) and builds a network around the specific area. This role involves negotiating contract terms with the TRs and explaining the work involved. They look for leads for potential authors, try to build a relationship with them and connect them with the Senior/Publishing Product Managers for onboarding them for upcoming titles. They also support the Senior/Publishing Product Managers to conduct peer reviews on Expert Network books by helping them with leads for User Insights. This is a lead generation and acquisition role to build a user database and a deep network in the community.
As a Community Relations Specialist, you will build a professional network and make decisions that impact Packt Expert Network’s product quality. You’ll get the experience of connecting and working with people across the world. You’ll also have a key role in the company that millions of software developers recognize and rely on.
Although you don’t need to be highly technical, you will need to build an understanding of software developers and their needs and how the products assigned to you fulfill their daily needs. You’ll need strong negotiation/communication skills, an inclination towards community building/engagement and the ability to inspire authors to do an excellent job.
ResponsibilitiesCore
- Own the acquisition of expert Technical Reviewers as per the demands of the book pipeline, acting as the key point of contact to nurture relationships and build a pool of expert reviewers.
- Author Lead Generation: Connect with the developer community and generate expert author leads from within the community who are interested in writing books for Packt
- Work towards expansion of the Discord Community and ensure regular engagement with the members
- Ensure regular activity on the Discord Server alongside the Senior Publishing Product Manager
- Onboard Tech Advisory Board (TAB) members and generate tech insights through them
Additional
- Managing Potential Author Pool: Build and manage a pool of potential authors who are interested in working with Packt. Periodically engage with the pool to keep the relationship intact for future projects
- Working alongside Development Editors and Project Managers, be responsible for ensuring technical feedback is delivered effectively and addressed appropriately
- Take responsibility for meeting both acquisition and tech quality targets and to ensure tech reviews are complete, valuable and incorporated into our books
- Project manage the supply of author leads and technical reviewers for both books and book proposals when required
- Communicate daily with editors, authors, and reviewers to facilitate the technical review process for your team
- Compile information on the performance of technical reviewers to identify poor performance
- Work with the Senior/ Publishing Product Managers to improve reviewer acquisition methods
Responsiveness and Improvement
- Consider and suggest ideas for improvements, sharing this feedback with others in a constructive manner
- Conduct regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project successful and make on- going improvements
Decision Making
- Examine complex information and obtain further information to make accurate decisions
- Explain clearly, verbally and in writing, how a decision has been reached
- Provide advice and feedback to support others to make accurate decisions
Growth
- Take ownership of your individual development by identifying capability needs and consistently achieving development objectives
- Take responsibility for the quality of your own work and seek opportunities for improvement through continuous learning
- Encourage and be open to developmental feedback from others
Delivering at Pace
- Take ownership of problems in your own area of responsibility
- Remain positive and focused on achieving outcomes despite setbacks
- Check your own performance against outcomes, make improvements or take corrective action when problems are identified
Key Areas:
- Successfully onboarding and retaining high quality Technical Reviewers
- Generating high quality 1E Author Leads
- Increasing Engagement in Disco