Editorial Assistant

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous time off (vacation & sick)

Retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Michigan Press, a part of UM Library’s Michigan Publishing, is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support two acquisitions editors in scouting, developing, and acquiring scholarly monographs, trade books, and textbooks. You will manage author communications and ensure accuracy, timeliness, and workflow efficiency across multiple stages of publication.

This two-year term position offers exposure to the book lifecycle, collaboration across departments, and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Experience writing to and speaking with scholarly authors.
• Experience handling a high volume of email.
• Strong time management with consistent deadlines.
• Demonstrated history of attention to detail.
• Ability to work and track tasks independently.
• Demonstrated interest in using technology for process improvement.
• Ability to enter data or text quickly and accurately.

Responsibilities

• Assist two editors by tracking projects throughout the publication process and maintaining records, files, and the press database.
• Communicate between departments about active projects and keep track of the details of these conversations.
• Move around 40 titles into production annually.
• Assist editors in seeking and querying reviewers and ensuring reviews are submitted in a timely manner.
• Help to draft, assemble, and proofread memos about potential projects for internal and external meetings.
• Prepare preliminary budget plans for potential and current projects.
• Draft and process contracts for new books and book series and send them to authors for initial review.
• Process and send reader payments, invoices for title subventions, and complimentary copies of books.
• Work closely with authors to prepare manuscripts for production, confirming that all necessary elements of the manuscript are in-house and formatted according to UMP submission guidelines.
• Work with other departments at the U-M Press to create and implement workflows and procedures for born-digital publications and related media.
• Work with acquisitions editors and other press departments on special projects and activities related to book acquisition, such as grant writing and travel to conferences.

Skills

Scholarly author communication

Email management

Time management

Attention to detail

Independent work

Technology for process improvement

Data entry

Job description

The Editorial Assistant assists two acquisitions editors in their efforts to scout, develop, and acquire scholarly monographs, trade books, and textbooks. As the Editorial Assistant you will have more than a support role; you will have responsibility for author communication and for accuracy, timeliness, and troubleshooting at different stages in the life of a book. You will also serve as one of the authors' regular contacts, helping them navigate the details of the publication process. This job offers a great opportunity to learn the book acquisitions process at a major university press. This is a two-year term position.

The University of Michigan Press is a vital component of UM Library's Michigan Publishing, which is the primary academic publishing division of the University. In partnership with our authors and series editors, the Press publishes around 100 peer-reviewed books a year in a range of humanities and social science disciplines.

You will report directly to the Editorial Director under the Associate University Librarian for Publishing.

Responsibilities*

• Assist two editors by tracking projects throughout the publication process and maintaining records, files, and the press database
• Communicate between departments about active projects and keep track of the details of these conversations
• Move around 40 titles into production annually
• Assist editors in seeking and querying reviewers and ensuring reviews are submitted in a timely manner
• Help to draft, assemble, and proofread memos about potential projects for internal and external meetings
• Prepare preliminary budget plans for potential and current projects
• Draft and process contracts for new books and book series and send them to authors for initial review
• Process and send reader payments, invoices for title subventions, and complimentary copies of books
• Work closely with authors to prepare manuscripts for production, confirming that all necessary elements of the manuscript are in-house and formatted according to UMP submission guidelines
• Work with other departments at the U-M Press to create and implement workflows and procedures for born-digital publications and related media
• Work with acquisitions editors and other press departments on special projects and activities related to book acquisition, such as grant writing and travel to conferences

Required Qualifications*

• Experience writing to and speaking with scholarly authors
• Experience handling a high volume of email
• Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines consistently
• Demonstrated history of attention to detail
• Ability to work and track tasks independently
• Demonstrated interest in using technology for process improvement
• Ability to enter data or text quickly and accurately

Desired Qualifications*

• Previous experience in book, journal, or magazine publishing, whether professional, extracurricular, or volunteer
• Interest in digital scholarship and alternative (e.g., open access) business models

Why Work at Michigan?

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (12 vacation days per year, and 15 sick leave days a year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments' retirement benefits are available.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Organizational Group

Univ Library

Department

Mich Publishing-Acquisitions

Posting Begin/End Date

10/13/2026 - 10/20/2026

$47,500.00 - $50,500.00

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