Commissioning Editor: African Languages at Maskew Miller Learning

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Editorial Project Management

• Responsible for the overall deadline of African Languages projects, ensuring completion and delivery by the agreed due date.
• Create project schedules with clear time forecasts and deliverables.
• Maintain up-to-date admin duties and apply best-practice project workflows.
• Ensure the publishing vision is maintained throughout the entire content development and production process.

Support the Publisher and Publishing Lead during the pre-production and production phases by:

• Sourcing and onboarding authors and reviewers for new submissions.
• Addressing content-related queries from authors and resolving them efficiently.
• Reviewing manuscripts to ensure content accuracy, curriculum alignment, and subject appropriateness.
• Sourcing illustrators, proofreaders, editors, and typesetters; maintaining working relationships with them.
• Collaborating closely across functions within the matrix team to oversee all stages of production.
• Overseeing the commissioning of artwork and photography relevant to African Languages.
• Approving final artwork and photographic selections.
• Reviewing first page proofs and artwork layouts.
• Performing final checks and proofreading before delivery to print or digital production.
• Signing off and approving final master set files.

Financial Management

• Work with the Publisher to prepare product development budgets and submit for sign-off.
• Manage product development within approved budgets.
• Address queries and updates related to budget adjustments.
• Approve work and services in accordance with the organisation’s schedule of authority.

Content Development

• Work with the Publisher to develop detailed product plans for African Languages offerings.
• Create design specifications, cover briefs, and instructional design briefs.
• Draft comprehensive author/Subject Matter Expert (SME) commissioning briefs.
• Recruit and retain experienced authors and SMEs in African Languages.
• Work with authors and freelancers to deliver curriculum-aligned learner and teacher materials.
• Work with the Publisher to commission content in line with product specifications and curriculum needs.
• Manage the development of both print and digital content.
• Support the Publisher to provide ongoing support to authors during the writing process.
• Contribute to marketing material development, including product value proposition.
• Review content quality and alignment to pedagogy; provide constructive feedback until content is approved.

General Contribution to Product Strategy

• Collaborate with research teams to understand market and classroom needs.
• Support the Publisher to analyse policy documents, CAPS curriculum, and submission requirements to ensure product alignment.
• Monitor competitor products and perform content gap analysis.
• Support the Publisher to develop the vision and framework for African Languages learning materials.
• Stay up to date with education and technology trends to inform future product design.
• Contribute to the development of marketing content and messaging.

Digital

• Manage the development of digital components and blended learning elements.
• Have a sound understanding of digital learning principles, including African Languages -specific pedagogy.
• Understand instructional and user experience design principles and know when to engage specialists.
• Collaborate with the Digital Development teams to deliver engaging and interactive digital content.

Business as Usual

• Manage backlist maintenance: respond to customer queries, update reprints, and apply corrections as needed.
• Work with the Publisher to continuously review current products for relevance, improvement, and compliance with curriculum updates.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, African Languages, Linguistics, or a related field (a postgraduate qualification will be advantageous).

Experience Requirements

• Extensive experience in publishing, education, or content development, with a strong focus on African Languages.
• Proven track record in managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality outputs.
• Deep understanding of African Languages, their cultural contexts, and educational applications.