Publishing Production Editor

Persona Staff; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Persona Staff is seeking a detail-oriented editorial professional to manage a portfolio of journals and drive efficient production workflows. You will oversee schedules, metadata, and budgets to ensure timely, high-quality publications.

You will review copyedited manuscripts for style and accuracy, ensure author corrections are implemented, and collaborate with editors, authors, and vendors to maintain publication standards. Strong English skills and multi-tasking ability are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any field.
• 2–4 years editorial/publishing experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the English language.
• Strong MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with HTML, XML and ePUB; strong organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of journal titles, ensuring optimized workflows and publication metrics.
• Maintain article and issue schedules, metadata, and page budgets, upholding quality standards.
• Perform production checks by assessing manuscript quality and ensuring files follow guidelines.
• Review copyedited materials for style compliance and author corrections.
• Provide support and guidance to vendor project managers.
• Deliver excellent customer service for Editors-in-Chief, authors, internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist and lead department projects as required.

Skills

Editorial/publishing experience

English proficiency

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Tools

MS Office

HTML

XML

ePUB

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of journal titles, ensuring that they run on optimised workflows and meet department publication metrics.
• Maintain article and issue schedules, metadata, and page budgets, and uphold quality standards throughout the publication process.
• Complete production checks by assessing the production quality of incoming manuscripts; ensure that all relevant files are received and that they follow established guidelines.
• Review copyedited materials to ensure that they follow the Publishers’ style guidelines and ensure that the author's corrections have been properly implemented.
• Offer constructive support and guidance to assigned vendor project managers.
• Provide excellent customer service for assigned Editors-in-Chief, authors, internal departments, and external vendors and customers.
• Assist and lead department projects as required.

Desired Attributes:

• Has a mindset of continuous improvement, embracing innovation and new ways of working.
• Is passionate about the academic publishing landscape and will use this passion to actively participate in projects that support the company’s mission.
• Will wow us with excellent analytical, organisation, and problem-solving skills

Qualification and Competencies:

• A Bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field.
• 2-4 years of relevant editorial/publishing experience.
• A demonstrated proficiency in the English language and an interest in scholarly publishing are essential.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity with HTML, XML and ePUB
• Strong English skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Attention to detail and critical thinking
• Being well-organised and able to manage short deadlines