Programming and Events Coordinator

Haymarket Books is looking to fill a full-time position working jointly on organizing our annual Socialism Conference and coordinating our presence at other conferences, events, and book fairs across the country. This role will play a crucial part in our efforts to directly connect with our current readers, reach potential new readers, and in helping grow one of the most important political conferences on the left. Candidates outside of Chicago, but within the US, will be considered, provided they are willing and able to travel as needed.

About Haymarket

Haymarket Books is a radical, independent nonprofit publisher and political education institution based in Chicago. We aim to publish books that contribute to struggles for social and economic justice. Haymarket also anchors several political education projects: the annual Socialism Conference, regular event programming at Haymarket House in Chicago, and an extensive program of virtual events.

About the Role

The person filling this position will join the Socialism Conference organizing committee, where they will assist with event planning/production, speaker and organization relations, and marketing (email and social media).

They will also represent Haymarket at book fairs, political conferences, and related events involving traveling to these events, handselling Haymarket’s books, developing and maintaining relationships with partner publishers, and various administrative duties related to this work area. Extensive travel is required to an average of 2-3 events a month, the exact pace of which will vary at different times of the year depending on the schedule of the Socialism conference.

We are looking for someone adept at both working in close-knit team environments and self-directing their own work, and who will be willing to learn new skills through the work. An ideal candidate for this role will be very organized, collaborative, and eager to interact with new people. Above all, we’re looking for someone who will thrive in a collegial and political environment and is committed to our shared goal of connecting people with the radical ideas needed in the struggle for a better world.

This position will report to the Socialism Conference coordinator and the Bookfairs/Events coordinator and will work as part of Haymarket's programming team.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). The person in this role will need to have some flexibility regarding when they work their hours. In some cases, evening and/or weekend work will be required, and in-person presence for the full extent of the Socialism Conference in Chicago is also required.

Socialism Conference Responsibilities include:

• Fielding inquiries and emails from the public in a prompt, professional manner
• Assisting with guest speaker invitations, relations, and follow up
• Developing long-term organizational partner relationships through collaboration and negotiation with a variety of left-wing organizations
• Providing logistical support booking flights and lodging for speakers and other guests
• Recruiting and coordinating staffing for various aspects of the Socialism conference
• Assisting with activity and entertainment plans for the Socialism conference
• Assisting with on-site conference A/V and tech support
• Assisting with online ticketing page for Socialism conference
• Assisting with digital Marketing, including producing materials for and managing social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and email (Mailchimp) communications

Book Fair / Events Responsibilities include:

• Attending ~20 book festivals and conferences per year to sell Haymarket’s books and build our readership among new audiences
• Reporting on contacts, sales, and other relevant information after each event attended
• Coordinating the logistics of Haymarket's presence at book festivals, conferences, and similar events. This includes reserving space, working with marketing and editorial to determine book lists, arranging shipments, booth setup, reaching out to potential partner presses, and assigning staff for each event
• Deciding, in consultation with marketing, editorial, and programing teams, which book festivals and conferences Haymarket should attend
• Maintaining, updating, and expanding Haymarket's internal database of conferences and events
• Updating and maintaining conference and events listing on Haymarket's website

Skills and experience should include:

• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of Haymarket’s project of connecting activists, critical scholars, and general readers with the radical ideas they need in their struggles to change the world, both through the books we publish and the various programing we organize.
• Very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with authors, organizers and others in and around the left. Confidence and comfort regularly meeting and interacting with new people in public settings.
• A background in activist event planning and familiarity with the left media and organizing ecosystem of which Haymarket is a part
• Flexibility and ability to shift priorities quickly given changing circumstances. Able to work to deadlines accurately and on time
• Ability to collaborate with team members on shared projects as well as work independently
• Well-organized and able to manage multiple projects at the same time
• Resourceful and confident with on-the-fly problem solving
• Willingness to travel for events
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Drive, facility with learning new software
• Ability to lift and move boxes up to 40lbs
• 2-5 years relevant professional and/or political organizing experience (could include conference or event organizing, bookselling, and/or a wide range of other work or political experience involving the above skills)

Exceptional candidates may also have experience with the following:

• Familiarity with Haymarket’s extensive backlist of books
• Experience in email and social media marketing (Tiktok is a plus)
• Live sound and related A/V
• Graphic design
• Bookselling experience

Start date: Asap

Salary: starting salary of $57,013 - $62,904, depending on experience and according to Haymarket’s staff salary schedule.

Benefits: 100% of employee and dependent health insurance covered and 50% of partner’s, 401k contribution, 4 weeks paid vacation plus 16 holidays, 2 weeks paid sick leave, 12 weeks paid parental leave, as well as short-term and long-term disability and life insurance

To apply: Submit a response online, attaching a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please address:

• Why you are interested in working for Haymarket Books and in this job in particular
• What about your experience makes you an ideal candidate for this position?
• This job requires a candidate who is comfortable both directing their own work and collaborating closely with a team on a shared project. Explain what about your experience makes you suitable for both styles of work.

Applications will be accepted until November 17th.

Depending on logistics and scheduling, our hiring process generally takes about 4–5 weeks from the job closing to a job offer. We let candidates know after each step in the process, once we’ve made a decision, whether they are moving forward to the next stage or not, so candidates know the status of their application.

We are committed to furthering racial and economic justice in our industry. We will prioritize applications from members of historically oppressed and marginalized groups and strive to foster a work culture in which new hires feel supported and valued. Haymarket Books does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a US veteran.