Administrative Assistant, Editorial Coordinator

Smith College; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College invites applications for the Editorial Office Assistant for Meridians, a journal on feminism, race, and transnationalism. You will be the first contact for authors, reviewers and the press, supporting editorial operations and communications with professionalism and integrity.

The role splits across editorial workflows, publicity, and administrative support, coordinating with editors, contributors, and the publisher.

Qualifications

• BA - Fields: WGSS, Area Studies, Race & Ethnicity, Cultural Studies, or similar
• Minimum of 2 years experience in publishing and/or academia
• Areas: Operational and transactional experience within an academic or intellectual enterprise.
• Experience with budget management and communications via print, web and social media.
• Minimum two years working with undergraduates and faculty to support their learning, teaching, and/or research preferred.
• Knowledge of: Editorial Content Management Systems, preferably ScholarOne; Google Suite; Microsoft Suite; Wordpress or similar; Canva; Mailchimp; Zoom/webinar platforms; social media platforms.
• Skills: Excellent time management and attention to detail required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate workflow and communication between contributors, editor, guest editors, editorial board, and publisher; manage submissions, peer review, and copyright agreements.
• Support publicity: webmaster duties, publicity and recruitment materials, newsletters, and social media content.
• Provide executive assistant support to the Editor: scheduling, managing calendars, and event setup.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

BA - WGSS / Area Studies / Race & Ethnicity / Cultural Studies or similar

Tools

ScholarOne CMS

Google Suite

Microsoft Suite

Wordpress

Canva

Mailchimp

Zoom/webinar platforms

Social media platforms

Job description

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [e-mail].

Department Sociology Job Description

Job Summary

Support the work operations of the journal Meridians: feminism, race, transnationalism Editor(s), partnering in the timely and professional production of each issue. As the Editorial Office Assistant for the journal, serve as its first point of contact with authors, reviewers and the press, representing the journal, Smith College, and the college’s academic mission with professionalism and integrity. Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Editorial Operations (50%): Assist the Meridians Editor and the Administrative Manager in the publication of the journal. Coordinate workflow and communication between contributors, editor, guest editors, editorial board, and publisher. Coordinate all aspects of the submissions and publication process including intake, peer reviewer assignments, dispositions, auditing of Scholar One, issue content development and management, copy-editing, proof-reading, fact-checking, and copyright agreements, to ensure excellence in the quality of the publication and a high degree of professionalism in its operations. Respond to inquiries and provide general information for publishers, editorial board, guest editors, reviewers, and contributors. Perform related tasks as needed.

Communication (20%): Support the Meridians Editor and the Administrative Manager of the Editorial Office in sustaining the flow and quality of double-anonymized peer review, timely dispositions, issue content development, issue marketing and branding, as well as communication and collaboration with the publisher. Office-based communications, including dissemination of event notices across multiple platforms; serve as webmaster for the Meridians website, overseeing production of publicity and recruitment materials, including graphic design of event flyers and posters. Oversee the production, copyediting, and proofreading of monthly Meridians newsletter and social media content. Partner with other campus departments and offices in intercampus and alumnae communications.

Administrative Support (20%): Support the Meridians Administrative Manager in the day-to-day operations and coordination of workflow of the Meridians Project, including: Coordination of space use, including scheduling, general maintenance, catering, set up for events, and external booking requests through 25Live. Hiring, training and supervising student workers as needed, including facilitation of weekly student intern meetings, in coordination with the Administrative Manager, ensuring that events are appropriately scheduled in the shared calendar, and taking notes of items presented and decided at each meeting. Providing coordination and administrative support for programs, events, and workshops of the Meridians Project. Coordination with other departments and programs on campus as appropriate and assist with college-wide events as necessary. Provide executive assistant support to the Editor as needed: arrange meetings, coordinate calendars, campus space, take minutes of meetings as needed; support photocopying, printing or other document publication needs for meetings; assist with provision of technical support, including supplies, equipment, and set up for events and online programming.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%): Projects that support the overall direction of the journal and its integration with the college. Perform other duties as assigned by management.

MINIMUM REQUIRED Qualifications

BA - Fields: WGSS, Area Studies, Race & Ethnicity, Cultural Studies, or similar

Minimum of 2 years experience in publishing and/or academia

Areas: Operational and transactional experience within an academic or intellectual enterprise.

Experience with budget management and communications via print, web and social media.

Minimum two years working with undergraduates and faculty to support their learning, teaching, and/or research preferred.

Knowledge of: Editorial Content Management Systems, preferably ScholarOne; Google Suite; Microsoft Suite; Wordpress or similar; Canva; Mailchimp; Zoom/webinar platforms; social media platforms.

Skills: Excellent time management and attention to detail required.

Preferred Qualifications

MA/MFA/pursuing Ph.D. - Fields: WGSS, Area Studies, Race & Ethnicity, Cultural Studies, or similar.

Knowledge of: Languages beyond English.

Skills: Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, ScholarOne CMS or equivalent, Wordpress, Mailchimp, Canva.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive benefits package, pay for this role is typically between $22.30 - $27.26 hourly covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications.

Position Type Regular

Review of applications will begin October 5, 2026

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination. Smith College seeks to attract individuals who are committed to our mission of providing the highest quality education to women. Smith College enjoys the reputation as one of the finest colleges in the country. This reputation, tempered by time and challenged by change, holds strong because of the dedicated work of our staff, faculty and administration. We are a diverse group bringing to our community different talents, perspectives and experiences. Our strength arises from this diversity and is sustained by a community value of providing an outstanding educational environment for our nearly 2,700 students.

Smith at a Glance https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/smith-glance