Assistant Managing Editor

Overview

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 a) Acquisition Editors and Production Editors and b) freelancers with respect to editorial assignments.

Provides backup to the Executive Managing Editor as requested, and provide backup to the Managing Editor for Academic and BibleGateway products as needed.

Our preference is to fill this position in Grand Rapids, MI or Nashville, TN but we are also open to qualified candidates that are located outside of the area. Travel may be required based on the need of the business.

Responsibilities

• Data Management & Integrity: 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.
• Editorial Support & Freelance Management: Perform editorial support tasks, such as format proofreadings, prepress checks, and small proofreading jobs. Manage the freelance assignments, including delivery, evaluation, and payment, monitoring and negotiating 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.
• Project & Special Initiatives Management: Manage the softcover conversion process for Reflective titles and other special projects as requested by the Executive Managing Editor. May set up and manage 5-10 schedules in Microsoft Project, including but not limited to softcover conversion and regular frontlist schedules. In collaboration with the Production and Content Design and Operations teams, manage the process for reprint corrections from beginning to end.
• Team Meeting & Catalog Support: 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, assisting the Executive Managing Editor with the comprehensive data check and post-sales conference web checks.
• Cover & Packaging Review and Distribution: 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. Requires limited office presence.
• Editorial Collaboration & Process Optimization: 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.
• CIP & Global Tools Management: Apply for CIP data as requested for Reflective titles, and map Reflective titles in the Global Works Tool.
• Financial Oversight: As requested by the Executive Managing Editor, manage APL (P&L) development and processing.
• Contract Management: As requested by the Executive Managing Editor, facilitate and track contract request forms (CRF) for Reflective titles, adhering to approval and process standards.
• Publishing Transitions: Process out-of-print or rights reversion requests as requested by the Executive Managing Editor.
• Stakeholder & Customer Relations: Act as a key contact for customer services inquiries, data questions, etc. for the Reflective titles.
• Manuscript Management: 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.

Qualifications

Knowledge: Advanced use of Microsoft Office required. High level of proficiency required with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Work Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of project management experience.  Work experience in publishing/editorial project management strongly preferred.

Education: B.A. in English or a related field; or equivalent job experience.  

Industry Knowledge: Clear understanding of publishing industry, editorial practices, and publishing operations preferred. 

Skills:

• 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.

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 TalentManagement@harpercollins.com. Note: we will only respond to accommodation requests.