Project Editor

Center for Responsive Schools; Montague (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational publication company is seeking a Project Editor to manage various publishing projects from initiation to final production. The role requires strong organizational and writing skills, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with team members and external clients. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience in writing and editing, demonstrating attention to detail and the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in writing and editing, preferably in book publishing.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong receptive attitude to feedback and direction.

Responsibilities

• Manage publication projects from proposal to print-ready files.
• Perform manuscript editing tasks and ensure adherence to style guides.
• Coordinate production processes and collaborate with authors and in-house staff.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Written communication

Editing skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communication, English, journalism or related field

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Editor provides editorial support for publications and educational programs, including teacher materials, ancillaries, licensed trade books, digital products, catalogs, and marketing collateral. The project editor is responsible for managing projects, often multiple projects simultaneously and usually for the lifetime of the project. Projects may be multi-year and multi-component, or small-scale (for example, new books, reprints, workshop products, articles, new or replacement lessons, lesson components and products, small guides, research reports, and marketing collateral). Finished products will be published in both print and digital formats.

The ideal candidate is a team player, a self-starter, and a lifelong learner. They will have developmental-level editing skills, excellent command of editorial processes and styles, and show evidence of ability to project manage in multiphase projects with multiple components.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning, coordinating and managing a variety of publications projections

• Project manages a variety of titles from a range of publishing areas from proposal or receipt of manuscript through to print-ready files, including the preparation of digital assets while keeping to schedule and deliverable timeline specifications.
• Manages timelines to ensure that projects stay on schedule.
• Coordinates production review processes (all stages of page proof review).
• Ensures smooth running of projects from manuscript to final print and digital files, in conjunction with the Chief Publications Officer.
• Establishes excellent relations with authors, illustrators and other external clients, keeping them fully informed of progress, ensuring project expectations are adhered to as the project develops.
• Develops and maintains good relationships with all in-house staff, knowing where each project is in the system at any given time, ensuring that work is placed appropriately in-house, completing all handover to production forms fully and accurately.
• Liaises with Programs and production staff regarding completion dates for project deliverables,
• Collaborates with Chief Publications Officer as requested to develop schedules for projects, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and keeps the Chief and/or Senior Editor informed of any schedule changes.

Editing and Writing

• Performs manuscript editing tasks, from substantive developmental editing of content to copy editing for consistency and style, and ensures that all materials developed adhere to the style guides/sheets.
• Partners with copy editors, proofreaders, translators, fact checkers, and other freelance/contract staff as needed.
• Quality checks all in-house work before it is sent out for internal or external review, checks all outsourced work to ensure that it adheres to the guidelines given and meets the expected standards; gives each project a final check to ensure that CPM standards have been maintained.
• Undertakes in-house writing, copy-editing, and proofreading on projects as required; organizing clients’, authors and proofreaders’ mark‑ups.
• Familiar with the purpose of a variety of style guides and able to edit work following the publications department's chosen style guide.

General administration

• Ensures all correspondence files are up to date and complete.
• Archives and keeps full proof records until a project is completed and closed.
• Collaborates with Production Coordinator to record all details relevant to the history of a project.
• Prepares text of completed projects for website, marketing sales or other as required.
• Assists with general publications tasks as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, English or journalism or closely related field, background in education a plus.
• At least 3 years of experience in writing and editing, preferably in book publishing and preferably in an office setting.
• Strong organizational skills and file management abilities.
• Receptive to direction, feedback, and editing from people with varying roles and backgrounds.
• Deadline-oriented with the ability to prioritize work to meet project due dates.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at one time.
• Highly organized, excellent attention to detail, strong oral and written communication.
• High accountability for performance, able to receive and apply feedback.
• Disposition is consistently professional, cooperative, and collegial as evidenced by workplace maturity, composure, perspective, transparency, reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness.
• Caring for and, committed to the vision, mission, and welfare of CRS.
• Respects and values diversity; represents CRS positively and professionally in interactions with clients, vendors, and the community at large in both real and virtual interactions.
• Able to work and thrive in an open-suite, highly collaborative environment.
• Prompt, regular and reliable attendance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to use a computer or phone for up to 8 hours per day, with breaks and lunch.
• Able to lift 30 lbs. on occasion.
• Must be able to show proof of COVID-19 primary vaccinations or submit a medical or religious exemption.

These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to perform this job. Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder’s supervisor, may also be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.