Production & Composition Assistant

University of Texas; United States; On-site; USD 37,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin seeks a Production & Composition Assistant to support the UT Press in all stages of publishing. The role involves designing, laying out, approving art, and coordinating with authors, designers, and vendors.

It requires InDesign proficiency, a detail-oriented mindset, and the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects. The position is based at UT MAIN CAMPUS with a 40-hour workweek and non-exempt status.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Word, and Excel.
• An excellent eye for detail and commitment to producing the highest quality books.
• Highly organized with the ability to work on multiple on-going projects.
• Self-motivated and proactive with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a group.
• Ability to lift a heavy carton of books.
• Candidates will be asked to perform a software test in InDesign and Photoshop during the course of the interview.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Log and organize images in Filemaker database.
• Use InDesign to typeset books from manuscript to first pages; present sample pages; typeset pages per templates; input corrections.
• Process invoices, create purchase orders, contribute to production plans; pack and ship materials; update cards and stationery; train student employees.
• Create cast-offs to estimate final page count; monitor schedules in FileMaker; coordinate with authors, designers, vendors, printers.
• Archive files and submit invoices; manage ~25 e-books annually; archive materials on Box; process ~65 print-on-demand titles per year.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

InDesign

Photoshop

Word

Excel

FileMaker Pro

Job description

Job Posting Title: Production & Composition Assistant

Hiring Department: UT Press

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Oct 05, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Purpose To assist in the supervision of acquisition, design, production, promotion, sales, or distribution of books, journals, or publishing rights. Responsible for assisting in the supervision of various phases of publishing in a variety of problem-solving situations. Orders design, layout, composition, printing, binding, advertising, shipping, storage, sales representation, data processing, or other required services. Schedules-works in-process. Prepares budgets, cost estimates, statistical analyses, staff reports and other documents. Develops bid specifications, promotional campaigns, advertising materials, contracts, agreements, policy statements, operating procedures, formulations of objectives, and other necessary items. Works to secure or facilitate commitments for the sale or purchase of books, journals, or publishing rights. Performs related duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Log and organize images in Filemaker database. Rename all image files using UT Press naming conventions, making adjustments/corrections to art, optimizing images for printing, and any other issues pertaining to art programs. The art evaluation process includes collaboration across all departments as well as with the author.
• Use InDesign to typeset books from manuscript to first pages; present sample pages; typeset books based on press templates; input page corrections; typeset new material for revised or updated editions; adapt jacket mechanicals to paperback reprints; and make corrections to covers and interiors as needed.
• Process invoices, create purchase orders, and contribute to production plans; pack and ship materials; update business cards and office stationery; participate in the training and supervision of student employees and/or fellows; contribute to related department functions as assigned by supervisor.
• Create cast-offs to estimate the final page count on books after typesetting; monitor and update schedules in FileMaker database; send books out for typesetting based on press templates; present sample page designs; and communicate with authors, designers, vendors, and printers as needed in coordination with other staff.
• Archive files and submit invoices when projects are complete. Managing approximately 25 e-books annually. Including sending materials to conversion vendors and quality-checking results. Archiving materials on Box. Processing approximately 65 print-on-demand titles per year.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Word, and Excel.
• An excellent eye for detail and commitment to producing the highest quality books.
• Highly organized with the ability to work on multiple on-going projects.
• Self-motivated and proactive with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a group.
• Ability to lift a heavy carton of books.
• Candidates will be asked to perform a software test in InDesign and Photoshop during the course of the interview.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FileMaker Pro and database management.
• Three or more years of publishing or related field of experience.
• An interest in exploring, developing, and optimizing workflows, as well as adapting to new technologies and workflows as necessary.

Salary Range: $43,000

Working Conditions

Typical Office Environment

Required Materials

Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and if this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Company Culture

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus