Manager, Virginia Festival of the Book
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council, dedicated to helping Virginians share their stories and connect through history, culture, and ideas. The Virginia Center for the Book-part of Virginia Humanities-serves as the Commonwealth's affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book and fosters statewide literary culture, reading, and community engagement through year-round programming, partnerships, and the annual Virginia Festival of the Book.
Position Summary
The Manager of the Virginia Festival of the Book supports and reports to the Director of the Virginia Center for the Book in developing and delivering high quality literary programming to the Virginia Festival of the Book and other Festival lead-up initiatives including statewide events throughout the year, as well as the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. This role requires strong communication skills, project management abilities, statewide relationship building, and familiarity with the publishing ecosystem. The Manager organizes key projects and activities related to the Festival, including logistics, assisting with managing partnerships and statewide engagement, and implementing programs. The Manager also represents the Center independently at select statewide events and meetings and contributes to overall Virginia Humanities initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Development
Collaborate with the Center for the Book Director, Virginia Humanities' staff, and other stakeholders to curate authors and programs for the Festival as well as year-round Center for the Book events. Assist the director in creating and scheduling panel discussions and programs based on book themes or other literary ties for Festival events. Manage venues, AV, and other logistics for the Festival other year-round lead up events. With the director and other Virginia Humanities staff, determine interlocutors to interview authors and special guests. Oversee author needs such as hotel bookings, comp tickets, and participation in special events. Stay informed on publishing developments via Publishers Weekly, Publishers Marketplace, and related industry sources.
2. Partnerships & Community Engagement
Help build and sustain partnerships with nonprots, publishers, bookstores, communitygroups, and statewide literary collaborators. - Manage offsite and onsite sales with booksellers for all Center for the Book events.
3. Submission & Selection Management
Oversee the annual book submissions process for authors and publicists, including outreach and ensuring submission completeness. With the director, conduct initial review of all submissions and oversee managing review committees and evaluations.
4. Communications & Media Coordination
Manage bulk and individualized author, moderator, and special guest communications, including media requests for author interviews. Assist with identifying authors to feature in Virginia Humanities or Center for the Book interviews; conduct or assign interviews as needed. Create e-newsletters and coordinate with VH Communications team for social media posts
5. Data, Reporting & Evaluation
Deliver post program reports to publishers and publicists, including attendance, bookseller data, and other metrics. Plan and implement strategies for collecting survey, participant, and event evaluation data to measure and report the Center for the Book's metrics and impact. Support and rene internal program databases.
6. Statewide Outreach & Public Representation
Support the director in representing the Center independently at statewide events, meetings, and community engagements to expand Festival visibility and partnerships. Assist with conducting statewide outreach-virtually and in person-to strengthen relationships across the Commonwealth and bring attention to the Festival.
7. Volunteer Coordination
Oversee recruiting, scheduling, training, and supporting volunteers, interns, and event ambassadors, as well as all volunteer communications.
8. Program Administration, Budget Support & Technology
Oversee budget tracking, program expenditures, and documentation. Work with VH nance team to ensure all payments are made in a timely fashion. Maintain organized, accurate program records, evaluation materials, and administrative documentation. Learn and effectively use agency technology platforms, including CVENT and other event management, communication, and data systems.
Required Qualications
Education
Experience
3 years experience in one or more of the following: Literary programming, book festivals, or cultural event planning Publishing (editorial, publicity, author relations) Public library or statewide humanities based program work Nonprot program management or community partnership development
Preferred:
Bachelors or higher degree in Library & Information Science, Literature, English, Creative Writing, Public Humanities, Communications, or a related eld. Deep understanding of the current publishing and literary landscape and a thoroughknowledge of ction, poetry, and non-ction, including youth literature. Experience developing partnerships with libraries, educators, and literacy organizations. Experience coordinating statewide initiatives or representing an organization publicly.
Additional Requirements
Strong communication and organizational skills. Comfort with public speaking and communicating with audiences of varied sizes. Ability to be exible, adaptive, and solution-oriented when facing setbacks or quickly-changing program needs. Some frequency of weekends will be required for events and special projects fall-spring. In addition, must be available for the Virginia Festival of the Book each spring and National Book Festival each August or September. Valid driver's license (due to statewide travel) Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
To Apply:
External applicants Apply here. Internal applicants may search for R0085095 and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website. Complete an application online with the following required documents:
Create a hypothetical Virginia Festival of the Book panel discussion involving three books that have been published or that are coming out in 2026 or 2027. Write a program description and title in the style of the event descriptions on the 2026 Virginia Festival of the Book Schedule, located at vabook.org. Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. This position reports to Virginia Humanities' Director, Center for the Book. Compensation Range: $65,000 - $70,000 commensurate with education and experience. This is an Exempt level, beneted position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
Working Conditions
Virginia Humanities maintains a hybrid work environment, with offices based in Charlottesville. Charlottesville site visits and other needs in town will be required with some frequency. Requires statewide travel and evening/weekend work, especially fall through spring. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
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The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia
$65,000 - $70,000 commensurate with education and experience.
Jul 08, 2026