Guidebook Project Manager

 

IWM is looking for an experienced publishing project manager to manage a project to develop and produce a suite of new guidebooks for IWM so that they effectively promote IWM and our brand values, and continue to be commercially successful.

It’s an exciting time to be joining us as we have just re-opened our IWM London branch after a £40 million transformation to coincide with the centenary of the First World War. Your priority will be to project manage a children’s guidebook for IWM London for completion by summer 2015 as well as working on our main branch guidebooks.

The ideal candidate will need relevant experience of publishing project-management, strong editorial skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders. The part-time nature of the role means that we are looking for a well-organised and efficient person with the ability to juggle competing priorities with tight deadlines. Previous experience of project managing children’s books would be an advantage.

Key responsibilities will include: managing the relationship with stakeholders, authors and designers; planning and managing schedules, content and structures of the new guidebooks; overseeing market testing and research; image research and commissioning of new photography; clearing copyrights; copy-editing text and overseeing all elements of production.

14.5 hours per week

Fixed term until 30 June 2015

For more information and to apply please visit our website iwm.org.uk

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 29 September 2014

 

 

We are one of the world’s leading authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives – from 1914 through to the present day and beyond. Our collections are filled with personal stories and experiences, inspiring powerful and often conflicting emotions. We aim to share these stories with as many audiences as possible across the world in a way that engages and challenges them increasing understanding of why we go to war and the effect that conflict has on people’s lives. In other words, we expect our stories to change the way people think about war.

 

We rely on our staff to help us achieve this aspiration. You should be able to demonstrate the skills and competencies set out below, but equally we are looking for people that believe in what we do and who we are, and can treat every colleague, customer or visitor with respect, courtesy and honesty.  We expect our staff to work flexibly and with enthusiasm. These are the qualities that make IWM such an extraordinary place to work.

 

Purpose of the job

 

To manage a project to develop and produce a suite of new guidebooks for IWM so that they effectively promote IWM and our brand values and continue to be commercially successful. The main focus of the role will be to produce a children’s guidebook for IWM London for summer 2015.

 

Your duties

•      Project-managing all aspects of the production of guidebooks

 

•      Costing projects to establish commercial viability and profitability, including staff time and ensuring

        that unit costs and budgets are not exceeded

 

•      Managing the relationship with stakeholders (e.g. Retail, Design, Branch Directors, Digital Media,

        Marketing, Historians), ensuring that deadlines and publication dates are met.

 

•      Organising and chairing project board meetings and working group meetings to update

        stakeholders on progress, seek decisions and resolve any issues

 

•      Managing schedules for each guidebook, taking into account guidebook sell-out dates,

        stakeholder availability and deadlines such as launches of new galleries or exhibitions

 

•      Planning and overseeing market testing and research, working closely with the Marketing

        Department who will provide guidance in this area

 

•      Managing the relationship with authors and designers (in-house and external), ensuring that

        material reflects the IWM brand and tone of voice

 

•      Producing design briefs, obtaining design quotes, briefing in-house and external designers and

        liaising with them through all stages of design and production

 

•      Planning the pagination, content and structures of the new guidebooks

 

•      Image research and ordering and commissioning of new photography (briefing the Publishing &

        Licensing Content Researcher to assist with this as necessary)

 

•      Copy-editing and proof-reading text to ensure that it reflects the new brand and tone of voice,  that house-style is adhered to and that content is literate, accessible and accurate

 

•      Liaison with IWM historians to plan and schedule historical checking

 

•      Checking the status of copyright and clearing copyright if necessary, keeping an accurate record of permissions

       

•      Working closely with the Print Production Co-ordinator to identify the most economical size of guidebook to print, to obtain estimates from printers in line with IWM’s procedures and to ensure best value for money and to manage the production of the guidebooks

 

•      Communicating effectively with the Publishing & Licensing Officer who will be overseeing the current guidebook reprints and who will be the point of contact on days when the Guidebook Project Manager is not in the office

 

•      Working with Digital Media to ensure efficient content commissioning across guidebooks and multi-media guides

 

•      Following the IWM’s financial procedures and procurement rules

 

•      Raising purchase orders and invoices, keeping accurate records

 

•      You must be aware of and abide by IWM's information security and data protection policies regarding the handling of all sensitive and personal data

 

This job description is not all encompassing.  Over time the emphasis of the job may change without changing the general character of the job.  Your duties may be reviewed from time to time and revised and updated in consultation with you to reflect appropriate changes.
Person Specification:           Professional / Level 1          

 

 

Essential criteria

How this will be assessed

1

Educated to at least A level standard, preferably in subjects related to the post (e.g. English or History)

Application form

2

Relevant and up-to-date experience of publishing project-management

Application form and Interview

3

An experienced administrator with strong attention to detail

Application form and Interview

4

 Strong editorial skills

Application form

 

Desirable criteria

 

5

Experience of publishing for children

Application form

 

Key competencies

 

6

Continuous Improvement

 

 

A flexible, evolving and solution-focused approach that delivers a genuinely value-added service to internal and external customers

Application form and Interview

 

Takes a proactive approach to problem-solving

Application form and Interview

7

Results Drive

 

 

Well-organised and efficient: able to meet deadlines and to juggle competing priorities

Application form and Interview

 

Results-driven self-starter:  demonstrates initiative and imagination

Application form and Interview

8

Teamworking Collaboration

 

 

A valued member of the team who provides support to others and contributes to creating an open culture and productive working environment.

Application form and Interview

9

Customer & Communication Skills

 

 

Effective and persuasive negotiator: able to work productively and creatively with a wide range of internal and external contacts (including directors, curators, administrators, sales and business staff)

Application form and Interview

10

Promoting Diversity

 

 

Recognises and values the benefits of diversity amongst staff and customers

Application form and Interview

11

Communicating Effectively 

 

 

Communicates confidently and precisely when speaking and writing

Application form and Interview

 

Changes the style of communication to match the needs of those present

Application form and Interview

 

Listens carefully and gets to the key issues quickly

Interview