[Hiring] Assistant Managing Editor @HarperCollins Publishers

Role Description

This position primarily interfaces with the Publishers and team members for Zondervan and Thomas Nelson Reflective. Communication and prioritization skills are critical must-haves to keep things moving, organized, and on track for multiple publishing groups. Overall job duties include heavy metadata management, project coordination, and facilitation of processes.

• Assists the Executive Managing Editor in overseeing and managing new titles from Publishing Board acceptance through editorial process management to printer-ready files.
• Manages the relationship with and serves as liaison between:
  • Acquisition Editors and Production Editors
  • Freelancers with respect to editorial assignments.
• Provides backup to the Executive Managing Editor as requested, and provides backup to the Managing Editor for Academic and BibleGateway products as needed.
• Preference to fill this position in Grand Rapids, MI or Nashville, TN, but open to qualified candidates outside of the area. Travel may be required based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced use of Microsoft Office required.
• High level of proficiency required with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Minimum 3-5 years of project management experience.
• Work experience in publishing/editorial project management strongly preferred.
• B.A. in English or a related field; or equivalent job experience.
• Clear understanding of publishing industry, editorial practices, and publishing operations preferred.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Proven project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and problem solve.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Team player with ability to facilitate effective team meetings.
• Proven grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, manage resources across multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Able to distill numerous pieces of information and communicate key points to others.
• Quickly learn new software applications and maintain awareness of new and emerging technologies.

Requirements

• Perform title setups in MDM and manage changes to product records for Reflective titles.
• Resolve and/or escalate metadata issues in a timely manner, logging Jira tickets as necessary.
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and archived appropriately.
• Perform editorial support tasks, such as format proofreadings, prepress checks, and small proofreading jobs.
• Manage freelance assignments, including delivery, evaluation, and payment.
• Monitor and negotiate freelancer rates in consultation with the Publishers.
• Seek out and keep a file of potential new freelancers, test and evaluate their potential, negotiate rates, and initiate/complete the process for enlisting them as Independent Contractors.
• Approve invoices as requested.
• Manage the softcover conversion process for Reflective titles and other special projects as requested by the Executive Managing Editor.
• Set up and manage 5-10 schedules in Microsoft Project, including but not limited to softcover conversion and regular frontlist schedules.
• Collaborate with the Production and Content Design and Operations teams to manage the process for reprint corrections from beginning to end.
• Facilitate Pub Board and Sales Conference preparation, including agenda/schedule/action items and documentation of meeting notes.
• Oversee Sales Conference catalog development for Reflective and Academic titles.
• Oversee the cover routing process in RSuite for Reflective titles, ensuring editorial excellence by proofreading product packaging, front and back cover copy, and product labels.
• Receive/distribute advance covers received from printers and advance copies of printed books of Reflective titles.
• Attend bi-weekly production rounds with Production, Comp, and Content Design and Operations, providing information and feedback as needed.
• Participate in Managing Editorial meetings, gleaning training and information related to process, systems, and data.
• Create and update best tools, processes, and practices by interfacing with all team members as well as shared service areas of the company.
• Apply for CIP data as requested for Reflective titles, and map Reflective titles in the Global Works Tool.
• Manage APL (P&L) development and processing as requested by the Executive Managing Editor.
• Facilitate and track contract request forms (CRF) for Reflective titles, adhering to approval and process standards as requested by the Executive Managing Editor.
• Process out-of-print or rights reversion requests as requested by the Executive Managing Editor.
• Act as a key contact for customer services inquiries, data questions, etc. for the Reflective titles.
• Convert manuscript files and place in Bookswip directory; field/screen all staff requests for manuscripts with appropriate disclaimers, watermarks, and password security.
• Process requests for digital copies of manuscripts, subject to Publisher's approval.

Benefits

• HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an equal opportunity employer.
• HarperCollins Christian Publishing is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, in our job application and/or interview process.
• If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application, due to a disability, email us at [email protected].
• Note: we will only respond to accommodation requests.