Assistant Editor

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Central Administration seeks an Assistant Editor to provide administrative and editorial support to senior editors and contribute to scholarly publishing efforts. The role collaborates on backlist republication, rewrites copy, and develops metadata for selected titles, with training for special initiatives.

You will assist with coordinating peer review, managing manuscripts, and tracking deadlines while supporting design briefs, fact sheets, and related metadata tasks.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of related editorial experience.
• Bachelor's degree in English or related field preferred.
• Excellent writing and computer skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate peer review and manage manuscripts.
• Prepare title information sheets and design briefs.
• Maintain editorial databases and track project progress.
• Draft correspondence and assist with backlist projects.

Skills

Editing

Writing

Communication

Organization

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in English or related field

Tools

Biblio Publishing Management System

Digital Asset Management System

Job description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Reporting to the Editorial Director and the Director of Special Initiatives within the Harvard University Press Acquisitions Department, the Assistant Editor provides administrative and editorial support to designated senior editors while contributing to the successful development and publication of scholarly books. The role collaborates with the Editorial Director on select backlist republication projects, rewrites copy, develops metadata for selected backlist titles, and solicits forewords for new editions of classic works. Following a period of training, the Assistant Editor also assists the Editorial Director with special initiatives.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Assistant Editor supports all phases of the editorial process, including coordinating peer review, managing manuscripts and artwork, preparing title information sheets and design briefs, maintaining editorial databases, and handling a range of administrative responsibilities that support the department's editorial and publishing operations.

• Assists acquisitions editors with preparation of manuscript considerations packets for the Acquisitions Planner workflow.
• Assists acquisitions editors and Editorial Director to prepare for the monthly Syndics Meeting, Editorial Meeting, and Lookahead Meeting, and the triannual Marketing Launch Meetings.
• Assists editors with entire peer review process.
• Assists editors with preparation of fact sheets, design briefs, and solicit author questionnaires.
• May solicit advance endorsements for books. Coordinates with editors and Editorial Director to finalize back ads order and other metadata, as needed.
• May proofread front matter, descriptive copy, and jacket mechanicals.
• Coordinates and monitors deadlines, collaborates with authors, translators, mapmakers, and illustrators to ensure that final manuscripts and artwork meet HUP’s requirements; provides Editorial Director, editors, and other relevant colleagues in the Press with updates on project progress, expected dates, and manuscript elements.
• Tracks design elements and technical problems in manuscripts; works with authors, editors, and relevant Press staff to eliminate problems to keep books on schedule.
• In collaboration with editors, prepares manuscript for timely and complete transmittal to the copyeditorial department (using HUP’s "turnover" memo) in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Drafts correspondence as needed.
• Maintains book files; scans and saves material to servers; uses Biblio Publishing Management System and Digital Asset Management system to track seasonal lists.
• May prepare Contract Request Forms.
• May assist with travel arrangements and process travel expenses.
• May travel to scholarly conferences.
• Performs clerical duties, including processing departmental forms, mailing, photocopying, faxing, paying bills, as needed.
• Assists members of the Acquisitions Department as needed in support of the department goals as determined by manager.

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• Three or more years of related experience. Education beyond high school may count towards experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

College degree strongly preferred. Must have demonstrated excellent writing and computer skills. Must be organized, accurate, detail-oriented, diplomatic, and familiar with the Microsoft suite of products. Related acquisitions editorial experience, some knowledge of the book publishing industry, or related media, familiarity with academic journals, relevant language expertise, and proven academic research skills a plus.

Competencies: Written and verbal communication skills; proficiency with common business software (Word, Excel, Planner, PowerPoint, Adobe, etc.), ability to set priorities, multitask, and work independently.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings:Identity
• Other Information:
  • This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 054. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.