Scholastic
Publishes, distributes children's books via schools
Senior Contracts Manager
At least two days per week in the SoHo office; some teams may require additional in-office attendance.
About the job
- Significant experience negotiating brand license agreements with large intellectual property holders; experience with toy and media companies is a plus.
- Experience with author, illustrator, and creative contributor agreements.
- Strong understanding of intellectual property and publishing rights structures.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to balance legal risk with business priorities.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with editorial, licensing, and business teams.
- Ability to translate deal terms into agreements, work independently, solve problems, and draft contract language where no precedent is available.
- Excellent business judgment and practical decision-making.
- Ability to manage multiple agreements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with 10 or more years of contract drafting and negotiation, preferably within publishing, media, entertainment, or consumer products licensing.
- Independently draft, review, and negotiate brand and intellectual property license agreements.
- Draft, review, and negotiate publishing agreements with authors, illustrators, work-for-hire agreements, and agreements with other contributors.
- Prepare and negotiate amendments, renewals, and related contract documentation.
- Negotiate contracts with major brand partners, licensors, agents, and rights holders.
- Communicate with business stakeholders across departments to resolve contract issues.
- Provide practical, business-oriented guidance to editorial, licensing, and product teams.
- Advise in-house staff on contract interpretation, industry custom, and practice.
- Ensure agreements align with company business objectives while protecting legal and commercial interests.
- Identify contractual risks and propose commercially reasonable solutions during negotiations.
- Maintain contract templates and support the development of standardized agreements.
- Track contract status, key terms, and obligations in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate with legal counsel when necessary on complex or high-value agreements.
- Mentor and collaborate with junior contract department staff and provide second-level review of agreements.
- Support rights management and compliance with license terms.
- Experience negotiating brand license agreements with toy and media companies.
- Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree.
- Business-friendly, solutions-oriented approach.
- Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.
- Collaborative and responsive partnership with internal stakeholders.
About the company
Scholastic creates and distributes children's books and learning content through direct-to-school channels that connect publishers with students. Its products include classroom books, magazines, and reading programs sold via book clubs and in-school book fairs, enabling teachers and schools to purchase directly. The company grows by acquiring other publishers and building strong franchises, such as Grolier and series like The Hunger Games and Captain Underpants. Its goal is to maintain a kid-focused media ecosystem by delivering affordable reading material directly into schools and classrooms through a school-based distribution network.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1977
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 23, 2026 results showed adjusted EBITDA rose 4% to $151.5 million.
- Scholastic returned $288.6 million to shareholders and raised the quarterly dividend to $0.25.
- Tezuka deal on August 19, 2026 expands Graphix into five global manga franchises.
What critics are saying
- Fiscal 2026 revenue fell 3% to $1.58 billion, with Education down 14%.
- Scholastic cut its employee base, and 6,905 employees cannot mask shrinking demand.
- ERISA case Masnjak v. Scholastic and AI copyright exposure threaten cash and management attention.
What makes Scholastic unique
- Scholastic Book Fairs still drove $576 million fiscal 2026 revenue, outlasting digital rivals.
- Graphix keeps winning classroom readers with Tezuka, Unico, and Ground Zero adaptations.
- Scholastic's school-channel distribution reaches students directly through teachers, fairs, and clubs.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Generous Parental Leave Program
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Company News
Marine Toys for Tots and Scholastic are expanding access to books for children in need. Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the power of a book, and our partnership with Scholastic is helping make that possible for thousands of children across the Nation." - LtGen Jim Laster, President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots TRIANGLE, VA, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - As the Marine Toys for TotsLiteracy Program's Operation Turn the Page initiative continues throughout September, the Program is shining a spotlight on a partnership that is helping put thousands of books and educational resources into the hands of children who need them most. Helping turn that mission into reality is Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, a valued partner since 1998, whose unwavering commitment to literacy has helped the Toys for Tots Literacy Program reach millions of students, teachers, and families nationwide. Together, Toys for Tots and Scholastic are giving children more than stories to read. They are opening doors to imagination, building confidence in young readers, and creating opportunities that can last a lifetime. One of the most impactful examples of this partnership can be seen in its support of Title I funded schools. where the partnership is helping address the critical need for access to books. Through collaborative efforts between the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic, 146 Title I funded schools have received book donations so far in 2026, distributing 79,070 books to students and classrooms. For many children, these books represent an opportunity to explore new worlds, strengthen reading skills, and develop a love of learning that can influence the trajectory of their education and future success. Through Scholastic's support, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has also partnered with the Kids In Need Foundation to support 3,800 teachers this year in Portland, Oregon; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Wichita, Kansas; and Little Canada, Minnesota. Together, the organizations provided 4,021 educational resources, including 2,100 books and 1,921 teacher supplies, helping educators create engaging learning environments where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Beyond these large-scale initiatives, the partnership also collaborates on projects that are tailored to the needs of individual communities. At Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, 250 books were provided to students, expanding access to educational resources and supporting academic achievement. In another community-focused effort, 210 books were distributed through a partnership with the Tucson Police Department, demonstrating how literacy can build stronger connections between children, families, educators, and their communities. "Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the power of a book, and our partnership with Scholastic is helping make that possible for thousands of children across the Nation," said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, U.S. Marines (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Together, we are doing far more than distributing books. We are expanding access to literacy in underserved communities, supporting educators, and creating opportunities that can shape a child's future. When a child turns the page of a book, they also turn the page toward new possibilities in life." The continued success of the partnership demonstrates what is possible when organizations unite around a common purpose. Behind every book distributed is a child discovering a new possibility, a teacher gaining another tool to inspire learning, and a family building a stronger foundation for the future. Together, the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic are helping disadvantaged children across America Turn the Page Toward Opportunity - one book, one child, and one future at a time. To learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program or to donate, please visit toysfortots.org/programs/literacy-program. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Grand opening of nation's largest free bookstore for low-income families held in Baltimore. Sep 08, 2026, 10:00 ET BALTIMORE, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Our Kids Read celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Baltimore Literacy Hub on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 418 E. 33rd Street in Baltimore. The new Hub is designed as a unique community literacy "3rd space" where children and families can access free books, literacy support and a reading lounge, all at no cost. Funded through the generosity of local foundations and donations from the public, the Baltimore Literacy Hub will offer more than 60,000 free diverse books for Baltimore families and close to 200,000 free books shipped to children nationwide. Thanks to a generous $3 million in-kind donation of over 300,000 books to Our Kids Read, low-income families across the country will benefit from books at Our Kids Read events. At the grand opening, families were invited to tour the new space, meet community partners, learn about Our Kids Read programs, and celebrate the organization's growing impact across Baltimore. Children attending the event received up to 10 free books each, helping families build home libraries and strengthen access to reading materials. Thanks to a partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation, the first 75 families also received a free backpack filled with school supplies. The impact of the Baltimore Literacy Hub will extend well beyond Baltimore. With expanded inventory and distribution capacity, Our Kids Read expects to be able to ship over 100,000 additional books to children and communities across the country, allowing the organization to support schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and families far beyond the Hub itself. In an exciting late-breaking partnership, Our Kids Read has teamed up with international film star/Grammy Award-winning recording artist and philanthropist Chris "Ludacris" Bridges to promote the importance of literacy in our communities. Courtesy of a gift from Scholastic, Our Kids Read launched a campaign to give over 2,000 copies of Ludacris' children's book, "Daddy and Me and the Rhyme to Be," to families across the country. Guests at the Baltimore Literacy Hub were also greeted by a video of Ludacris welcoming them to the Hub. Media Contact: Jahmal Lake Executive Director, Our Kids Read [email protected] 917-686-3629 www.ourkidsread.org SOURCE Our Kids Read Association
Scholastic to publish kids 9/11 comic, Ground Zero, next September. Scholastic Graphix are to publish the middle grade 9/11 comic book adaptation of Ground Zero, *next* September Published Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:57:11 -0500 Article summary. * Scholastic Graphix will publish Ground Zero: The Graphic Novel in September 2027, bringing a 9/11 story to comics. * Alan Gratz's bestselling 9/11 novel is being adapted by Syd Fini for middle-grade readers through Scholastic Graphix. * Ground Zero follows Brandon in the World Trade Center on 9/11 and Reshmina in Afghanistan years later. * The 9/11 graphic novel adaptation aims to expand Gratz's classroom reach with vivid historical storytelling. Ground Zero: The Graphic Novel is an adaptation of Alan Gratz's 2021 middle-grade novel by Syd Fini, and world rights have been sold to Scholastic's Graphix, edited by Aimee Friedman, for publication in September 2027, for the 21st anniversary of 9/11. Of course, the 20th anniversary is upon Bleeding Cool this week. Originally published by Scholastic for the twentieth anniversary in 2021, Ground Zero was an instant New York Times bestseller, remains Amazon's #1 Best Seller in Children's Middle East Books and received the following accolades. * A Junior Library Guild Selection * Golden Sower Award, 2014-2015 Winner Nebraska * Isinglass Teen Read Award, 2014-2015 Winner New Hampshire * Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2014-2015 Winner * Junior Book Award, 2015-2016 Winner South Carolina * Grand Canyon Reader Award, 2015-2016 Winner Arizona * Truman Readers Award, 2015-2016 Winner Missouri * Reader's Choice Awards, Winner 2015-2016 Virginia * Volunteer State Book Award Winner, 2015-2016 Tennessee "Acclaimed storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear - and the stunning links between the past and present. September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive - and escape? September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz - and put herself and her family in mortal danger? Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same." Adapting the novel into graphic novel form offers clear visual opportunities to contrast the setting of Lower Manhattan in 2001 with more contemporary Afghanistan. Alan Gratz has built a substantial reputation in middle-grade literature for tackling difficult historical and contemporary subjects with clarity and accessibility. Titles such as Refugee and Grenade, as well as Ground Zero itself, have found wide readership among students and educators, often used in classrooms to introduce complex events through the eyes of young characters. Bringing Ground Zero to Graphix extends that reach into the comics format, where visual storytelling can make the dual narratives even more immediate. Scholastic Graphix has a strong track record with both original graphic novels and adaptations that address serious themes. Under the broader Scholastic umbrella, the imprint has helped normalise comics as a vehicle for historical fiction, social issues, and emotionally resonant middle-grade stories. Agents Holly Root of Root Literary represented Alan Gratz, while Alex Gehringer of the Bright Agency represented Syd Fini in negotiating the deal.
Back to Hogwarts to reach more readers and listeners this year than ever before. This year's Back to Hogwarts global celebration will be the biggest yet, with new ways for readers and listeners around the world to experience the story that started it all, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. The annual September 1 celebration will reach more fans than ever before as anticipation for the forthcoming HBO Original series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, builds ahead of a Christmas 2026 premiere date. As part of the celebration, more than 200,000 print books and full-cast audiobooks of the first Harry Potter story will be donated to schools, libraries and hospitals across the U.S., UK and multiple international territories. This initiative is supported by Harry Potter publishers Scholastic, Bloomsbury, and Pottermore, alongside Audible and other international publishing partners. In the U.S., Scholastic will give away 100,000 copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone through its school channels including underserved communities. In collaboration with Audible and Pottermore, Scholastic will also distribute Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Full-Cast Edition audiobook to 100,000 Book Clubs-affiliated teachers nationwide. Other global initiatives include books donated by Bloomsbury to charities and partners across the UK, free books and audiobooks available to fans attending the London Back to Hogwarts event at Old Billingsgate Market, and expanded access to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone through UK libraries. From September 1 through Halloween, fans will be able to enjoy the original audiobook editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone narrated by Stephen Fry and Jim Dale on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel, with no paid subscription required. The YouTube release will mark the first time listeners outside North America can access the Jim Dale edition on YouTube. These special initiatives, alongside a few surprises that have yet to be revealed, will inevitably bring the magic of storytelling to communities around the world and introduce a new generation of readers and listeners to Harry Potter.
Back to Hogwarts to reach more readers and listeners This year than ever before. WEBWIRE - Thursday, August 27, 2026 This year's Back to Hogwarts global celebration will be the biggest yet, with new ways for readers and listeners around the world to experience the story that started it all, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. The annual September 1 celebration will reach more fans than ever before as anticipation for the forthcoming HBO Original series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, builds ahead of a Christmas 2026 premiere date. As part of the celebration, more than 200,000 print books and full-cast audiobooks of the first Harry Potter story will be donated to schools, libraries and hospitals across the U.S., UK and multiple international territories. This initiative is supported by Harry Potter publishers Scholastic, Bloomsbury, and Pottermore, alongside Audible and other international publishing partners. In the U.S., Scholastic will give away 100,000 copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone through its school channels including underserved communities. In collaboration with Audible and Pottermore, Scholastic will also distribute Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Full-Cast Edition audiobook to 100,000 Book Clubs-affiliated teachers nationwide. Other global initiatives include books donated by Bloomsbury to charities and partners across the UK, free books and audiobooks available to fans attending the London Back to Hogwarts event at Old Billingsgate Market, and expanded access to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone through UK libraries. From September 1 through Halloween, fans will be able to enjoy the original audiobook editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone narrated by Stephen Fry and Jim Dale on the official Harry Potter YouTube channel, with no paid subscription required. The YouTube release will mark the first time listeners outside North America can access the Jim Dale edition on YouTube. These special initiatives, alongside a few surprises that have yet to be revealed, will inevitably bring the magic of storytelling to communities around the world and introduce a new generation of readers and listeners to Harry Potter. WebWireID359593 This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted. Distribute your news. * Every day, hundreds of individuals and companies choose WebWire to distribute their news. * WebWire places your news within numerous highly trafficked news search engines generating leads and publicity. * Submit Your Release Now!