Company overview:
BookNet Canada is a small non-profit dedicated to supporting Canada's book industry.
So what does that mean? We partner with people from all different layers of the industry. From independent booksellers to multinational publishing houses, our relationships with industry players allow us to develop strategies to keep the Canadian publishing industry healthy and happy. We provide training and education to help publishers and retailers adapt to new technology, as well as software solutions (for example, SalesData tracks 85% of the Canadian trade print market, while CataList allows publishers to create robust e-catalogues).
The opportunity:
The software development team supports BookNet’s mandate by building and maintaining the various software platforms and tools that we provide to the Canadian publishing industry.
As a Software Developer, you’ll be a key part of our small, nimble development team and will:
- Participate fully in all aspects of the software development life cycle, from idea generation through to implementation and maintenance.
- Build thoughtfully designed software, with quality over quantity as the benchmark.
- Work alongside a collaborative, multi-functional team team to develop and maintain applications and tools.
- Work with the development team to improve processes.
- Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to turn ideas into complete solutions.
- Maintain and manage products that have been defined by and built for our stakeholders.
- Recommend ideas that you think will improve our products and then help to make them happen.
- Seek opportunities to learn and apply it to everyday work.
- Thrive with autonomy.
What we’re looking for:
We believe in professional development and lifelong learning. If you have some or all of the selected skills and experience we believe are valuable for this position, please share in your cover letter. Don't know something yet? We're hoping you'd be prepared to learn!
We’re looking for:
- Experience working as a software developer
- Experience developing Web and Windows applications along with REST APIs, using C# and the .NET framework
- Experience with HTML/CSS/JavaScript
- Experience developing database-driven applications using SQL Server, including writing and interpreting database queries and stored procedures
- Experience with MongoDB
- Experience with managing code with source control systems (e.g., Git, Bitbucket)
- Someone who collaborates well in a team environment
- Good organization and documentation skills with attention to detail
Your own unique talents: If you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications outlined above, tell us why you’d be a fit for this role in your cover letter!
Nice-to-haves (don’t let these hold you back from applying):
- Verbal and written proficiency in English and French
- Specific experience with the latest .NET versions and Blazor
- Experience working with XML files and JSON
- Experience with DevOps, server management and configuration
- Experience working with with e-commerce platforms APIs like Shopify, Square, etc.
- Experience working with big data sets
- Experience with search tools like Elasticsearch
AI
At BookNet Canada we have adopted a cautious approach to AI use in software development. It has been our experience that deep knowledge of the software we create is much more valuable long term then generating things quickly. We remain dedicated to the craft of software development and AI tool use will be evaluated as a group.
What we can offer:
- Salary: $75,000-85,000 per year
- Benefits package: Group health/dental/insurance benefits program with spouse & family coverage
- Group RSP program through a socially responsible fund (staff-driven initiative)
- Wellness program allowance
- Remote work allowance
- 15 vacation days per year to start
- 3 paid employee-sponsored volunteerism days
- Paid office closure between December 25 to January 1
- Actively encouraged and budgeted professional development
- Flexible hours and summer hours
- Equipment to do your job provided at our expense
Other perks:
We have a small, dedicated team of great people and transitioned to a fully distributed/remote workplace in March 2023. Our core hours are aligned to the Eastern time zone, and though there are limited evening feature and maintenance releases throughout the year, you can use time in lieu to get that time back! We have a serious commitment to work/life balance and our employees are given the autonomy to manage their schedules — maybe that's why current and former employees have given us 4.9/5 on Glassdoor.
We're also fond of fun. We have several optional activities throughout the year with colleagues. Some of these have seen us trying curling and axe throwing, going to baseball games, playing board games, virtual craft-along lunches, and Netflix parties. We always welcome new ideas for our social events, as well!
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion statement:
At BookNet Canada we are committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We were founded in 2002 to address systemic challenges in the book industry. As we promote diverse voices in the industry, we also promote the same internally and focus on building an inclusive team environment that is welcoming to the authentic you. We believe that, just as every page contributes to the making of a story, every member of our team contributes to our vision and makes the work we do possible.
We recognize that to build the best products and services for the Canadian book industry, we have to work with the best. We recognize our work is improved by working with a diverse group of people with expansive skills and experience under their belts. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, Indigeneity, colour, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, abilities, or other legally protected identities.
The other important bits:
This position will be available for a June 2026 start date.
If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@booknetcanada.ca with the subject line “Software Developer position”. We'll consider applications from qualified candidates of all professional backgrounds, but make sure that you tell us why working at the intersection of books and technology is interesting or matters to you.
Please note that BookNet Canada will not accept applications that contain AI-generated content. If your application includes AI-generated content, your application will be disqualified.
