About the Role
The Royalty Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of royalty calculations, payments, and reporting for authors, illustrators, and other stakeholders. This role requires a strong understanding of royalty agreements, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and timely processing of royalty statements.
Responsibilities
- Accurately calculate royalties based on contractual agreements.
- Process royalty payments in a timely manner.
- Ensure compliance with royalty terms and conditions specified in contracts.
- Prepare and distribute royalty statements to authors, illustrators, and agents.
- Maintain detailed records of royalty payments and calculations.
- Generate regular and ad-hoc royalty reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Review and interpret royalty clauses in publishing contracts.
- Ensure all royalty terms are correctly implemented in royalty calculations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for royalty-related inquiries from authors, agents, and internal teams.
- Provide clear and concise explanations of royalty statements and payments.
- Address and resolve any discrepancies or issues related to royalty calculations and payments.
- Assist with internal and external audits related to royalty payments.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and legal requirements in royalty processing.
- Act as the functional owner of the royalty software (currently IPM) and perform UAT for periodic software updates.
- Act as the subject matter expert for future system enhancements, including integrations with other key finance systems.
- Provide day-to-day supervision, training, and professional development for an entry-level Royalties team member.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment while ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of royalty operations.
- Manage and prepare off-system royalty calculations for brand licensors and key authors related to subrights revenue.
- Accurately calculate royalty earnings outside of the royalty management system in accordance with contractual agreements.
- Review and validate subrights income and supporting documentation to ensure accurate royalty reporting.
- Maintain detailed records and audit trails for all off-system royalty calculations.
- Collaborate with Finance, Contracts, and Subrights teams to resolve royalty discrepancies and payment questions.
- Ensure royalty calculations comply with contractual terms, internal policies, and reporting deadlines.
- Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for royalty payments and financial reconciliations.
- Identify opportunities to improve the accuracy and efficiency of off-system royalty processes.
- Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding royalty calculations and payment details.
- Support royalty audits by providing documentation and analysis related to off-system calculations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in royalty management, accounting, or finance within the publishing industry.
- Experience with IPM software preferred.
- Knowledge of current industry trends and best practices in royalty management.
- Strong understanding of royalty agreements and publishing contracts.
- Proficiency in royalty management software and financial systems.
- Excellent analytical and mathematical skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in data processing.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Skills
- IPM software
- Royalty management software
- Financial systems
- Analytical skills
- Mathematical skills
- Attention to detail
- Accuracy in data processing
- Organizational skills
- Time management skills
- Written communication skills
- Verbal communication skills
Location
- New York, NY
Work Type
- Hybrid
Experience Level
- 5+ years of experience
Education Level
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
Salary/Compensations
- $80,000 - $85,000 per year
Benefits
- Generous paid holidays
- Summer Fridays
- Company-paid year-end office closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
- Comprehensive health benefits, including short-term and long-term disability
- Retirement savings (401k)
- Life insurance
- Vacation time off
- Personal time off
- Sick time off
About the Company
- Founded in 1949 as the first U.S. publisher to specialize in art and illustrated books, ABRAMS has a long-standing reputation for publishing visually stunning, critically acclaimed, and bestselling works.
- ABRAMS continues to lead in the creation and distribution of high-quality books across a wide range of categories—including art, photography, design, fashion, entertainment, cooking, craft, and popular culture—as well as award-winning children’s and young adult titles under imprints such as Abrams Books for Young Readers, Amulet Books, and Abrams Appleseed.
- Headquartered in the creative heart of New York City, ABRAMS is home to a passionate team of editors, designers, marketers, and publishing professionals who bring bold ideas to life in collaboration with celebrated authors, artists, chefs, photographers, and cultural icons.
- Our books are distributed globally and have helped shape conversations in classrooms, kitchens, museums, and living rooms around the world.
- ABRAMS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—both in the stories we publish and in the culture we foster.
- Through programs like the ABRAMS Amplify Award, we uplift and support underrepresented voices in children’s publishing.
- Internally, we promote inclusive hiring practices and an environment where employees of all identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences are encouraged to bring their full selves to work.
- At ABRAMS, creativity, integrity, and collaboration are the foundation of everything we do.
- If you’re inspired by books that make a difference and want to be part of a team that values art, impact, and inclusion, we invite you to join us.
- Learn more at abramsbooks.com.
Equal Opportunity
- ABRAMS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—both in the stories we publish and in the culture we foster.
- Through programs like the ABRAMS Amplify Award, we uplift and support underrepresented voices in children’s publishing.
- Internally, we promote inclusive hiring practices and an environment where employees of all identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences are encouraged to bring their full selves to work.
