Politics and Prose

This position is responsible for developing and executing a broad marketing and communications strategy to promote all that P&P does and ensure vigorous engagement internally with other P&P departments and externally with customers, media organizations, and partners. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), exempt position that reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This position is based at the Connecticut Ave. location with the expectation that this individual also will work closely with the branch locations.  

The duties include but are not limited to: 

• Managing the marketing and communications team; 
• Conceptualizing and executing company messaging including P&P’s website, newsletters, e-mail marketing, promotional ads, social media platforms, and videoing efforts; 
• Overseeing print and graphic design projects and collaborating on creative store signage and floor and window displays; 
• Promoting and tracking P&P membership and helping to conceive ways to increase membership numbers; 
• Coordinating with all departments to identify their marketing and communication needs and execute strategies to meet those needs; 
• Identifying and forging strategic relationships with external partners to increase event audiences, class and trip participation, in-store purchases, and online sales; 
• Cultivating and expanding opportunities to promote P&P with local and national media; 
• Engaging with P&P staff to keep them informed of departmental activities, hear their ideas, and collect information about the store that can be highlighted on social media or in internal newsletters; 
• Coordinating community donations; 
• Managing holiday catalog production. 

The ideal candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and management skills. A minimum of three years of related experience is required.

Compensation and benefits:The salary range for this position is $42,000 to $47,000 annually depending on relevant experience.

• The salary range for this position is $50,000 to $52,000 depending on relevant experience.
• Full-time exempt employees accrue 15 days of paid leave and six days of paid sick leave a year.
• Health insurance including dental and vision available for employees who work more than 30 hours a week.
• Full-time employees have the option to invest in an IRA that the company will match up to 3%.  
• Full-time employees can load a portion of their paycheck onto a Smart Trip Card pretax via the Smart Benefits program.
• All employees receive a discount on books and merchandise.

P&P’s mission, as articulated by co-owners Brad and Lissa, is this: “Politics and Prose is a DC-based business devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas. We’re committed to exceptional customer service and to the values of independence, inclusion, and diversity.” P&P does more than just sell books; we also offer a range of programs. We sponsor dozens of classes on various literary topics and host book groups. We sponsor week-long trips to such countries as France, Italy, and Cuba, as well as shorter day visits to places closer to home. And our coffeehouse, dubbed The Den, has a reputation for serving some of the best coffee in Washington. However, our greatest strength may be our staff who are known for their knowledge of literature and their ability to help customers find just the right books. Through the years, P&P has continued to imagine, innovate, and adapt while remaining true to the mission.