Executive Editor

University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UCLA International Institute, through the James S. Coleman African Studies Center, seeks a Director of Publications to oversee African Arts and Ufahamu.

The role involves securing articles, editing texts, and managing production with faculty editors while handling contracts and funding considerations. You will supervise production tasks, collaborate with ASC staff, and represent UCLA publishing initiatives to the academic community.

Qualifications

• Strong writing and substantive editing, including knowledge of editing conventions.
• Knowledge of formal academic writing conventions.
• Proficiency with Adobe CS publishing software and Photoshop for editing and production.
• General knowledge of African art history or related field.
• Experience in grant writing, resource development, and securing external funding for journals and publishing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and edit production of African Arts and Ufahamu publications.
• Coordinate art direction, layout, proofs, and vendor communications.
• Supervise student assistants and advise editors on schedules and production standards.
• Represent ASC publishing initiatives within UCLA and to international academic communities.

Skills

Editing

Project management

Communication

Copywriting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Department Summary

The UCLA International Institute educates students, supports scholarship on the world at UCLA and serves as a campus and community resource.With a history dating back to 1958, the Institute is the central hub for global and area studies on campus. Its more than 27 centers and programs support innovative multidisciplinary research on specific world regions and pressing global issues. Its rigorous academic programs offer degrees in global studies, international development, global health, international migration and diverse regions and countries of the world.The UCLA International Institute is directed by a senior management team led by the Vice Provost for International Studies and Global Engagement, two Associate Vice Provosts and two Assistant Vice Provosts.The Office of the Vice Provost develops and implements UCLA’s global strategy, manages the university’s partnership agreements with foreign educational and research institutions, and represents UCLA to international constituencies and organizations.

Position Summary

Serve as Director of Publications for the James S. Coleman African Studies Center (ASC), producing and/or advising on publication of the African Arts journal, the graduate student journal Ufahamu, ASC newsletter, and other Center publications and publishing projects as assigned. As Executive Editor of African Arts, a quarterly art journal published continuously since 1967, assume central responsibility for securing articles for publication and for production of the journal. Position requires a high degree of independence and project management, under the broad editorial direction of the journal's faculty editors, and under the general authority of the Deputy Director and Faculty Director of the ASC, with accountability to the UCLA International Institute. Oversee the solicitation and evaluation of editorial and pictorial material for African Arts and editing of all texts for publication in the journal, writing copy as needed and occasionally writing pieces for departmental columns and PR purposes. Oversee or carry out art direction and production of journal, including art and text lay-out, processing of galleys, proofs, and blue-lines, and communication with advertisers, printers, and distributors. Monitor the flow of production for each issue. Act as a liaison with the African Arts Editorial Consortium Boards, Consulting Editors, and authors. Participate in representing African Arts within UCLA and to the international academic community. With the Editorial Board, shape editorial policy and continually review the quality and quantity of material for the journal. Maintain general oversight of the business operation of the journal in collaboration with ASC's Publication Coordinator. Oversee administrative and financial matters of the journal in coordination with African Studies Center and International Institute staff (e.g. recruitment and management of consortium renewals and associated contracts, such as the OJS manuscript management system; timely processing of payment to vendors, managing budget of African Arts and publications, etc.). Supervise student assistant in executing clerical and editorial tasks. As publishing advisor to Ufahamu, assist student editors in establishing editorial schedules, acquaint them with standards in academic publishing, advise on publication requirements and procedures, and oversee financial matters of the journal in collaboration with ASC's Publication Coordinator. Maintain continuity in operations through transitions in student editors. Develop proposals, oversee and implement other publication projects such monograph series, new journals, digital humanities initiatives, etc.) as assigned by ASC leadership. Keep current with trends and needs in academic publishing. Represent the publishing arm of ASC to the UCLA, African Studies, academic, and local communities.

Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Skill in writing and substantive editing, including knowledge of editing conventions and procedures. Skill in exercising tact and diplomacy to communicate with stakeholders around contracts, editorial process and publishing. (Required)
• Knowledge of conventions in formal academic writing. (Preferred)
• Knowledge of basic computer processes: word processing, email, Internet. Ability to use Adobe CS publishing software and Photoshop for editing and production. (Required)
• General knowledge of African art history or similar area of study (Required)
• Specialized knowledge/advanced degree on Africa (Preferred)
• Familiarity with scholars in the field of African art studies. Familiarity with African languages. (Preferred)
• Skill in project management and prioritizing a wide variety of tasks to meet deadlines. (Required)
• Knowledge of standard publishing procedures and specifications. (Preferred)
• Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively. (Required)
• Ability to work under pressure with numerous interruptions. (Preferred)
• Skill in training and supervising assistants. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing, resource development, and securing external funding to support academic journals, publishing initiatives, and research dissemination activities. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

CM–Comms, Mktg, & Sales Profs