Managing Editor, Trade & Academic

Job Title: Managing Editor, Trade & Academic

Department: Trade & Academic Production

Reporting to: Production Director

Temporary Maternity Cover Contract

Full Time – 35 hours per week

Salary Range: Depending on experience

Start date: July 2021

Job Summary

Experienced Managing Editor with art direction/co-ordination experience required to manage the copyediting and jacket design processes for Yale University Press London’s award-winning Trade & Academic list. Must demonstrate exceptional desk editorial skills, an ability to manage schedules, budgets and freelancers, and a strong collaborative and team ethic.

Purpose of job

To manage the copyediting process from final manuscript to files ready for typesetting for all Trade & Academic books including but not exclusively History, Current Affairs, Economics, Philosophy, Religion, Popular Science, Literature and Music. May also be called upon to work on our more trade-focussed Art & Architecture titles.

To review final book text files before a book is sent to press.

To work to editorial schedules and ensure the efficient processing of books to deadline, providing related information and updates in an accurate and timely fashion company wide.

To manage the jacket design process for Trade & Academic books in the context of overall critical path and key scheduling moments, brief freelance designers and coordinate their work, enable innovation and best practice as well as excellence in design and brand identity.

To lead the weekly jacket meeting, taking in briefs from acquisitions, presenting jacket roughs and communicating colleagues’ ideas and feedback to designers.

To advise on editorial issues within the department.

To manage freelance costs to stay within budget and maintain a database of freelancers including ongoing evaluation of suppliers and review of costs.

About Us

Originally founded in New Haven Connecticut in 1908, Yale University Press has a unique position as the only American university press with a full-scale publishing operation in Europe, publishing serious non-fiction and fiction in translation, that contributes to a global understanding of human affairs. Our diverse and prize-winning list includes numerous prestigious museum and gallery partnerships, the Pevsner architectural guides series, and books by globally respected authors including Carmen Bambach, John Carey, Terry Eagleton, Nicholas Kenyon, Yasmin Khan, Geoffrey Parker, Thomas Piketty, Griselda Pollock, David Rieff, Zeynep Tufekci and Can Xue.

Equal Opportunities

Yale University Press London is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We value, promote and seek diversity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the copyediting process for all Trade & Academic books, as well as the occasional Art & Architecture book. With particular responsibility for preparation of text for copyeditors, assignment of freelancers, resolution of queries in a timely and cost-efficient manner; also personally copyediting and/or proofreading individual titles when required.
• Responsibility for final signoff on books including text and plate sections, providing feedback to the Desk Editor, Production Executive and Production Director.
• Responsibility for the entire production process of jackets and covers from initial briefs to print-ready files.
• Advise on editorial issues related to text and plate section design.
• In close consort with the Desk Editor, Production Executive and Production Director, ensure books are on schedule to meet their delivery dates.
• Update company database where required, feeding data to the wider company in an accurate and timely manner.

Person Specification – Key knowledge & skills

Essential

• Exceptional project management skills
• Proven expertise in editing and proofreading texts with acute attention to detail
• Proven ability to manage schedules, budgets and a roster of freelancers
• Experience of briefing jacket and cover designers and managing the design process all the way through to final artwork
• Solid understanding of typesetting
• Computer literate and skilled user of the Adobe packages, particularly Acrobat and InDesign
• Highly organised, proactive and adaptable strategic thinker
• Efficient, with strong time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• A team player with good interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable

• Experience designing books
• Ability to manipulate databases
• Print production knowledge
• Knowledge of non-fiction crossover market

What we can offer:

Yale University Press London offers a generous package of benefits including accommodation deposit and travel loans, a generous pension scheme, a cycle purchase scheme, book allowance, and a lively social scene. Our staff enjoy access to the beautiful Bedford Square gardens at lunchtimes throughout the summer months.

The Location:

The role will be based in our offices on Bedford Square in Bloomsbury WC1, with convenient access to the Northern and Central lines as well as many bus routes.

Please send your CV and supporting covering letter outlining your interest in and suitability for this role, (including availability, notice period details and salary expectations) to:

Robert Owen (Head of People & Office Operations):  robert.owen@yaleup.co.uk

Closing date: Wednesday 26th May 2021 at 5.30pm

Processing and safeguarding your data - Please see YUPL’s candidate privacy notice https://www.yalebooks.co.uk/pid/page/jobs