Managing Editor

Oxford University Press; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Press in Cape Town is seeking a Managing Editor on a fixed-term basis to oversee end-to-end production of print and digital content, ensuring timely delivery, quality and budget compliance.

You will manage a network of freelance editors and production suppliers, drive quality assurance, editing and proofreading, and coordinate work between freelancers and internal stakeholders to deliver consistently high standards.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in publishing or editorial project management.
• Understanding of teaching and learning methodologies.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of educational publishing industry and environment.
• Knowledge of tender and submission processes.
• Experience with permissions management and compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of titles through editorial and production processes.
• Coordinate and manage freelance editorial and production suppliers.
• Quality assure freelance work against editorial and publishing standards.
• Maintain production documentation and contracts.
• Ensure timely delivery within budget and compliant author permissions.
• Coordinate workflows between freelancers and production teams.
• Prepare documentation for project and stakeholder meetings.
• Sign off final masterset files and proofs.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Editing and proofreading

Permissions management

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Learning changes lives – and we’re here to drive that change.We support people wherever and however they want to learn, so they can achieve their learning goals and uncover new possibilities.

Today, we reach more learners than ever, in more ways than ever.And we’re just getting started.

Managing Editor x2 (Fixed term roles)

About the role

The Managing Editor works closely with Publishers and Content Specialists across the end-to-end production of print and digital products, ensuring delivery to agreed deadlines, quality standards and budget requirements.

The role is responsible for quality assurance throughout the production process and may, where required, undertake editing and proofreading activities to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and quality of published content.

The role will also be responsible for managing a network of freelance suppliers, building and maintaining effective working relationships while ensuring compliance with company policies, standards, and contractual requirements.

The Managing Editor will report to the Editorial Services Lead. This post is based in Cape Town, at the Goodwood office.

In this role, you will:

Project management:

• Manage a portfolio of titles through the editorial and production process, ensuring delivery on time and within budget
• Brief, coordinate, and manage freelance editorial and production suppliers
• Quality assure freelance work against editorial and publishing standards
• Manage permissions to ensure timely completion
• Resolve author, system, technical and production issues
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date project and production documentation
• Ensure freelancer agreements, contracts and related documentation are in place and compliant
• Coordinate workflows between freelancers, stakeholders and production teams to support efficient delivery

Planning:

• Develop and maintain production schedules for assigned titles
• Identify, source and commission appropriate freelancers
• Collaborate with other managing editors and the editorial services lead to manage supplier capacity and priorities
• Schedule and facilitate project handover and planning meetings
• Ensure all required agreements, contracts and compliance documentation are in place before commissioning freelancers
• Prepare documentation for project and stakeholder meetings
• Maintain project records and folders within the Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform

Editorial quality control:

• Review manuscripts to ensure quality, accuracy and alignment with project requirements
• Manage and quality assure freelance work, addressing issues and escalating concerns where necessary to the publisher
• Ensure consistency of style, tone, and structure across titles
• Check that all sets of proofs have been verified before progressing to production
• Review and approve proofs, artwork and final files to ensure publishing standards are met
• Provide constructive feedback on substandard work and manage corrective action with freelancers
• Sign off final masterset files and printer proofs for publication

Editing and proofreading:

• Ensure text is market-appropriate and grammatically correct
• Ensure consistency of editorial and design styles, creating a user-friendly experience
• Ensure content is logically structured, clearly presented, and easy to navigate
• Recommend improvements to enhance quality and effectiveness

Stakeholder relations

• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure publication deadlines are met
• Provide input into product design, including specifications, covers, logos and marketing materials
• Maintain effective communication with publishers, content specialists, freelancers, and the editorial services lead
• Brief projects clearly and ensure freelancers are informed of requirements, processes, deadlines and fees
• Prepare clear project briefs and provide the information required to meet release dates

Additional Responsibilities:

• Manage project costs in line with approved budgets.
• Adhere to OUP policies, ethical standards and codes of conduct.

About You:

• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in publishing, editorial or publishing projectmanagement.
• Understanding of teaching and learning methodologies
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills (internal and external)
• Knowledge of educational publishing industry and environment
• Knowledge of tender and submission processes
• Teaching or lecturing experience is an advantage
• Knowledge of multiple Southern African markets is an advantage
• Experience working in multiple Southern African markets is an advantage
• Proficiency in more than one Southern African language is an advantage
• Experience with permissions management
• Experience with compliance processes
• SAP experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Oxford University Press, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a talented individual to fill this post based at Goodwood, Cape Town. Oxford University Press will consider all applications in terms of its Employment Equity Plan, which acknowledges the need for transformation.