Editorial Assistant, Timber Press

Hachette Book Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Hachette Book Group is seeking an Editorial Assistant in Portland, Oregon to support our Executive Editor and Senior Editor. This entry-level role offers learning opportunities within a hybrid environment with three required days in the office.

Responsibilities include metadata management, manuscript support, author onboarding, contract drafting, and coordinating with editorial, design, publicity, and sales teams. The role emphasizes organization, teamwork, and a passion for nonfiction books.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Deliver timely, accurate work with good follow-up.
• Able to work effectively within a team setting and with colleagues at every level of seniority.
• Passionate about nonfiction books and curious about a range of nonfiction subjects.
• Self-directed and able to work independently.
• Highly organized, capable of multi-tasking, and detail oriented.
• Demonstrates understanding of and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Interact professionally with authors, agents, and internal departments (design, publicity, marketing, production, sales).
• Enter, maintain, and track metadata and title information in the central management system.
• Assist in manuscript reviews and production handover activities.
• Assist with onboarding new authors and executed contracts.
• Process and track payment requests and invoices.
• Support photo research and procurement, including licenses and permissions.
• Draft independent contractor and commissioned art agreements.
• Draft descriptive copy and fact sheets.
• Attend editorial, marketing, and sales meetings as required.
• Manage the editorial inbox and unsolicited proposals.
• Research book sales using internal and external databases.
• Assist in departmental projects like prize submissions and rights lists.
• Manage and order complimentary copies of books.
• Apply titles for Cataloging in Publication records through the Library of Congress.
• Perform other administrative duties.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Self-direction

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

SUMMARY:

Timber Press publishes nonfiction books, illustrated and narrative, in the categories of gardening, nature, science, craft, and lifestyle. We are seeking an Editorial Assistant to support our Executive Editor and Senior Editor. This is an entry-level role in our editorial department, but one with opportunities for learning and growth. This is a hybrid position, with three required days in the office, that is based in Portland, Oregon.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interact professionally with authors and their literary agents, as well as internal departments, including design, publicity, marketing, production, and sales
• Enter, maintain, and track metadata and other key title information in our central management system throughout the life of a book
• Assist in manuscript reviews and production handover preparation, image program and art log reviews and creation, and other book-related company tasks for projects acquired and assigned by the senior editorial staff
• Assist with onboarding new authors and executed contracts
• Process and track payment requests and invoices
• Support authors, editors, and design with photo research and procurement for specific books, including assistance with photo licensure and permissions
• Draft independent contractor and commissioned art agreements for specific books
• Draft descriptive copy and fact sheets
• Attend editorial meetings, as well as marketing and sales meetings as required
• Manage the editorial inbox, including unsolicited proposals
• Research book sales using internal and external databases
• Assist in ongoing departmental projects, such as book prize submissions, maintenance of rights lists, and metadata optimization for backlist books
• Manage and order all complimentary copies of books
• Apply titles for Cataloging in Publication records through the Library of Congress
• Perform other administrative duties

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

The successful candidate will:

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in addition to solid computer skills
• Deliver timely, accurate work and demonstrate good follow-up and follow-through
• Have demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team setting and with colleagues at every level of seniority
• Be passionate about nonfiction books and curious and open-minded about a range of nonfiction subject areas
• Be self-directed and able to work independently
• Be highly organized, capable of multi-tasking, and detail oriented
• Demonstrate imagination, creativity, and original thinking
• Be proficient with email, calendar management, and file management tools, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrate understanding of and appreciation for the ideas of diversity, equity, and inclusion

As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.

Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The compensation for this position is $48,300. The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.