Production Manager

The Stage Media Company Ltd is a long-established media business based in London Bridge, serving the performing arts and book publishing industries through two distinct brands: The Bookseller and The Stage. Our vision is to be the most authoritative and essential guide for helping people get in touch, get involved and get ahead in these key arts sectors.
The Bookseller, the leading trade magazine and website for the publishing industry in the UK, has an excellent full-time opportunity for an experienced, talented and multi-skilled production sub-editor who is highly proficient working across print and web and confident supervising a busy, fast-moving production desk.

Reporting to the head of production, we require an eagle-eyed, meticulous and SEO-savvy sub with strong InDesign and Photoshop skills, and experience of web publishing platforms, to supervise The Bookseller’s team of sub-editors, as part of a wider production department also responsible for The Stage, the weekly title for the UK theatre industry.

Applicants must have excellent layout skills, solid experience of using web publishing platforms (eg, WordPress), a forensic eye for detail and previous experience of working as a production editor or senior sub-editor. 

A journalism qualification, including media law, is essential, as is an interest in, and knowledge of, the UK books industry. This role would suit an accomplished sub-editor with extensive experience of working on established publications (trade/consumer/nationals) who enjoys web publishing as much as print layout work and supervising a busy team in a fast-paced environment.

Main purpose of the role:

• To plan and oversee the weekly production schedule for The Bookseller, allocating work as required and ensuring that deadlines are met.
• To lead, motivate and support sub-editors working on The Bookseller on a day-to-day basis.
• To sub and publish content across The Bookseller's web and print publications, ensuring that quality meets the highest levels of accuracy and house style.
• To edit and publish web stories, features and columns, as well as lay out magazine pages using InDesign, with both flair and attention to detail.
• To oversee and uphold the quality and efficiency of the production process across The Bookseller's web and print publications.
• To support the head of production with the recruitment, training and development of sub-editors to ensure quality across all platforms: including (but not limited to) online, digital, e-newsletters and print.
• To support the head of production in the planning of The Bookseller’s future publications as required.
• To identify and encourage opportunities for team members to work on The Stage’s web and print publications where feasible, informing the head of production of potential capacity.

Key responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Line management of sub-editors working predominantly on The Bookseller, with support from the head of production as required
• Contribute to editorial production, following quality, house style and speed of delivery requirements
• Sub and post copy to the website using The Bookseller's web publishing platform
• Sub and lay out pages for weekly magazine using Adobe InDesign
• Create/develop page templates as required
• Locate/source pics when necessary
• Create and publish eye-catching social media posts
• Uphold accepted style, standards and legal requirements
• Proof copy and ensure quality/layout of colleagues’ pages
• Ensure smooth delivery of weekly magazine print deadline and daily online deadlines
• Assist the head of production to train freelancers and other staff
• Assist the head of production with updating and upholding the house style guide as required
• Keep the head of production informed of any current or anticipated hardware, HR or resources requirements

Skills required for the role:

• First-class copy-subbing, proofreading and layout skills
• Excellent working knowledge of InDesign and Photoshop
• Experience of managing production schedules and flatplanning
• Extensive experience of web publishing platforms, eg Wordpress
• Excellent written, verbal and organisational skills
• Experience of people management or being accountable for team members
• Social-media savvy, able to craft eye-catching posts and tweets
• Proven experience of meeting production deadlines
• Strong working knowledge of SEO
• Journalism qualification including media law
• Proven experience as a senior sub-editor
• Strong Illustrator skills (desirable)

Attributes required for the role:

• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail
• Organised, cooperative and able to contribute positively to a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Ability to lead a team
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to work calmly under pressure
• Ability to work independently and also as part of a team
• Willingness to participate in continual learning
• Intuitive to business needs

This list is non-exhaustive and may be amended from time to time depending on the requirements of the role. 

Home working is supported, but the role will primarily be based in the office (at least 3 days a week)

The deadline for applications is July 12, 2024.

The Stage Media Company welcomes people from a range of backgrounds, and with different perspectives. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities.

Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the application and/or recruitment process.