Production Editor, Publishing Operations (Hybrid Work Model)

Production Editor, Publishing Operations, Augsburg Fortress Publishers (Hybrid Work Model)

Augsburg Fortress Publishers (AFP) is a multimedia company composed of five vital, creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books and Broadleaf Books. We create resources for spiritual growth and development, for Christian worship and faith formation, and for academic study and professional development. AFP strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply. 

The Production Editor works across Fortress Press, Broadleaf Books, and Beaming Books, organizing the production of content from handover to manufacturing and release in print and digital formats such that products are available to the market at the right time, cost, and quality.

The Production Editor reports to the Director of Contracts, Rights, and Book Production and will be part of our hybrid work model. This position requires the employee to reside in the Twin Cities and work onsite at our corporate office in Minneapolis 2+ days a week.

The Production Editor holds these responsibilities: 

• Business continuity and communication
  • As required, communicate with project partners and internal/external stakeholders accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner, so that project status and Production team requirements are clear, expectations are managed in line with cost and schedule considerations, partners in the publication process can perform their duties effectively, and authors report a positive experience of working with the Production team.
  • Continuously improve Production team processes and documentation by identifying and escalating gaps in process and expectations to line management, and engaging critically with documentation to suggest, implement, and brief out clarifications and additions where appropriate.
  • Ensure AFP systems are accurate and current according to requirements.
  • Assist the manager in mentoring, training, and supporting junior colleagues.
• Supplier/freelancer management
  • Commission, brief, monitor, and manage the conversion of content by freelancers or prepress suppliers into the appropriate formats for publication in print and digital editions, so that published content complies with budget and schedule requirements and meets quality standards, as confirmed by quality control measures. Devise and implement efficient, cost-effective solutions to issues that arise, collaborating with line management and internal colleagues as necessary.
  • Brief, monitor, and manage vendors for frontlist print procurement. Supervise and track vendor performance so that books meet quality standards and are received on time. Maintain and enhance internal systems and communications to track purchasing progress, keep projects on schedule, and ensure printers have accurate specs and schedule information.
  • Work to reduce repeated errors in print as well as digital formats through regular escalation to line management when quality issues are found. 
  • With manager support, where performance discrepancies arise, conduct root cause analysis, address with the freelancer/supplier, and ensure that lessons are learned for future projects.
• Scheduling
  • Understand standard schedules for individual production tasks and full book projects, and create schedules for book projects based on these standards.
  • Work to meet agreed project schedules, reducing slippage by anticipating and proactively managing potential delays.
• Budgeting
  • Understand and enforce standard rates for production services on a project-level basis, escalating to line management any forecasted/proposed spends that do not align with team norms.
  • With manager support, obtain quotes for cost of goods sold (COGS) and place purchase orders with print vendors. If specs or print runs change, track changes in COGS and notify team as necessary.
  • With manager support, where individual projects exceed budget in one area, consider how to flex costs in other budget areas of that project, so that project margins are maintained where possible.
• Business process transformations
  • Critically engage in the adoption of new workflows by closely following the workflow requirements and ensuring that issues are understood, resolved/mitigated, or escalated as appropriate, so that Production team workflows continue to adapt to the changing publishing environment and offer the best possible value to the business.
  • With manager support, document new workflows to a high standard and deliver briefing/training to internal and external stakeholders, so that implementation is successful, and the full value of the transformation is realized.
• Ethical standards
  • Actively uphold the ethical standards and behaviors expected by AFP.

Required education and experience:

• BA or equivalent experience in a related field
• 2-3 years in book production, or other related field
  • Ability to empathize, support, and collaborate with others on problem resolution

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Flexibility, creativity, and initiative in problem solving along with an ability to get the root cause and facilitate path to success
• Excellent prioritization and organization skills, including ability to manage a busy workload with strict and often conflicting deadlines in a fast-paced project management environment
• Good experience and understanding of print and digital production processes and project management in a content-centric publishing environment
• Good experience and understanding of copyediting and proofreading and indexing processes; knowledge of and experience with Chicago Manual of Style
• Ability to build relationships, influence, and negotiate with key stakeholders (up to Director/Publisher level), including authors, often through difficult situations requiring skills in advocacy and diplomacy
• Excellent understanding of the English language and structure
• Precision in written and verbal communication along with good attention to detail
• Good numeracy with the ability to learn to create budgets in a content creation context
• Good IT skills, including standard Microsoft Office package, and ability to learn new technologies
• Commitment to AFP mission, vision, and values

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Experience managing external prepress suppliers and editorial personnel
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $56,000 annually. The offered starting salary will be based on the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data for this position. 

Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave. 

To be considered, include your resume, cover letter, and references with your application. Apply using the specified link: https://bit.ly/3EfF3Oz