Senior Editor, Publications

National Museum of Wildlife Art; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is seeking a Senior Editor for Publications to oversee the production and planning of its publication projects. The successful candidate will manage large-scale exhibition catalogues and digital publications while ensuring high standards of content and design.

Responsibilities include project management, coordinating with various stakeholders, and adhering to budgets and timelines. A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven years of experience in publishing are required, with preference given to candidates with a Master's degree and knowledge of art history.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of related experience.
• At least five years editing and managing complex illustrated books.
• Experience with Chicago Manual of Style.

Responsibilities

• Plan and project-manage book-length publications.
• Coordinate with curators, authors, and vendors.
• Write promotional texts and manage publication budgets.

Skills

Project management

Copyediting

Proofreading

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or related subject

Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, at least three days working onsite

Reporting to the Director of Publications, the Senior Editor, Publications, is responsible for overseeing and implementing the planning, editing, and production of Museum publications, including but not limited to large‑scale exhibition catalogues, permanent collection books, and digital publications.

Ensures timely completion of projects and high standards for content, editing, design, and print‑production quality across the range of materials the Publications Department produces, including books, catalogues, and digital publications that provide context for exhibitions and the museum’s collection, showcase the scholarship of our curators, and aim to reach a wide range of readers.

Works closely with museum curators to conceptualize book projects. Project manages the production of books and other publications as assigned, coordinating project schedules and teams including Publications staff and colleagues in Exhibitions and Program Management, as well as external teams including book designers, authors, print production vendors, artists and their representatives or estates, foundations, and other publishing partners.

In the first year of work in this position, key milestones will be:

• By 30 days: establish understanding of key Publications projects, roles, and procedures and contribute to ongoing projects and to the planning of future projects; begin developing departmental, cross‑departmental, and cross‑divisional relationships necessary for collaborative work.
• By the first quarter: contribute to an increased number, scale, and variety of projects, taking the lead as project manager for select projects while continuing to develop collaborative approach to projects.
• By one year: work independently and problem‑solve proactively on multiple simultaneous ongoing projects as well as those in development; take the lead in refining departmental and cross‑departmental workflows; expand knowledge of publishing and production best practices; and deepen key professional collaborations while providing mentorship to other Publications staff members.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Plan and project‑manage select book‑length publications (both analog and digital) to successfully meet the Museum’s schedule, budget, quality, and content requirements.
• Coordinate with curators, guest authors, graphic designers, production managers, editors, photographers, printers, and vendors; oversee the work of and ensure clear communication with contributors throughout the project.
• Solicit bids and prepare contracts for freelance contributors.
• Develop and maintain schedules. Develop detailed publication budgets, manage expenses, and maintain accurate records of all transactions.
• Write promotional texts, distribution bid proposals, and assorted other materials necessary to secure and fulfill co‑publishing/distribution agreements for titles in the Senior Editor’s purview.
• Support Publications staff assigned to obtain reproductions and permissions for inclusion in museum publications, helping arrange photo shoots both on‑ and off‑site, trafficking digital scans and transparencies, compiling related paperwork, and processing invoices for projects in the Senior Editor’s purview.
• Check page proofs, bluelines (or digital equivalent), and jacket proofs for correctness and compliance with design, printing, and binding specifications, collaborating with Publications staff and trafficking these materials among other team members or outside partners as necessary, and obtaining approvals in a timely fashion.
• On all of the above and a variety of other projects, edit for readability and style, write and rewrite as necessary, help maintain the Museum’s standards of content, editing, design, and print‑production quality.
• Supervise the work of any Publications staff assigned to the Senior Editor’s projects.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or related subject, with major coursework in art history (including twentieth‑century art) desirable. Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of related experience, with at least five years editing and managing the production of complex illustrated books, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Previous copyediting, proofreading, and publications‑specific project management experience required.
• Demonstrated history of bringing complex projects to successful completion.
• Strong organizational, editorial, and production skills.
• Experience with an emphasis on attention to detail, editorial consistency, and accuracy in factual information, spelling, and grammar.
• Working knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style.
• Familiarity with twentieth‑century art history and art terminology.
• Proven competence as a publishing project manager with ability to set priorities, maintain budgets, and meet stringent deadlines for multiple simultaneous projects.
• Proven ability to deal effectively and tactfully with writers, Museum staff, freelancers, and vendors while undertaking a variety of simultaneous projects.
• Understanding of design, pre‑press and international manufacturing processes for illustrated books and experience soliciting and interpreting manufacturing estimates and negotiating terms.
• Project management and leadership skills and the ability to create a positive and productive team environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of colleagues, collaborators, and vendors both inside and outside the organization. Experience with color management, including imaging standards, color separation and image proofing for complex art book projects.