Managing Editor- Cape Town at Maskew Miller Learning

Main purpose

Manages the editorial and production process of a product whilst ensuring a high-quality product is delivered  on time and within budget.

Key Duties and Responsibilities    

• Source, develop and retain a reliable and highly skilled network of freelancers (editors, artists, proofreaders,
• indexers, typesetters) by following company approved procurement processes.
• Ensure that Freelancers are identified, recruited and booked for projects ahead of schedule.
• Ensure that a sufficient pool of qualified freelancers maintained and expanded in keeping with
• the requirements of the business.
• Provide training to selected freelancers as and when required.

Form and maintain internal relationships with other teams and support functions to ensure smooth day to day-to-day running operations.

• Understand the processes employed by various teams that support the editorial and production process.
• Adhere to the processes to ensure that all tasks can be completed thoroughly and on time.

Ensure the editorial integrity of products by following the guidelines set out in the editorial policy and thensound principles of proofreading and editing.

• Ensure that every stage of the production process is carefully and thoroughly checked with
• corrective measures implemented to resolve problems.
• Communicate with Content Developers with the aim of clarifying production-related issues
• such as artwork, page proofs, amount of content on a digital screen, accuracy of information on
• digital content (correct answers in digital quizzes, etc)
• Anticipate problems related to the manuscript, design, artwork or product concept from the first
• engagement with the project. Proactively communicate such problems with suggested solutions
• to the appropriate person.
• Make recommendations for improvements to the product's content, design, artwork or product
• concept to the appropriate person.
•  Evaluate the freelancer's contribution to the project prepared and discussed with the Editorial

Lead.

• Control the flow of work through tracking of work-in-progress.
• Tracking between various internal and external team members.
• Updating schedules during the editorial and production process to ensure clear guidelines during the process.

Feedback and follow-up on workflow and status of all projects as needed (daily/weekly)

• Complete the relevant project WIP trackers (print and digital) to provide visibility to the whole team on status.
• Provide status reports when needed.

Ensure follow-up and completion of all required tasks and proactively communicate any issues or required changes.

• Follow-up on required tasks performed by internal and external team members.
• Escalate issues where needed.

To manage and control projects, deadlines, budget and quality control.

• An understanding of the marketplace, landscape, competitors, end users and other relevant
• factors is built up for each product type.
•  Understand the financial and timing imperatives of the project.
• Ensure that you gather from the Content Developer all relevant information to ensure you have a
• clear understanding of how these factors impact on the specific project.
•  Collaborate with the Content Developer to draw up budgets and ensure adherence to budget.
• Complete final quality control check of product.

Digital Content

• Manage the development/production of digital content.
• Have a good understanding of Learning Design best practice and principles for digital learning.
• Collaborate with the Design and Digital Development team to develop digital content/products

Educational Requirements    

• Degree level education

Experience Requirements    

• Three years editorial and/or project management experience
• Experience in the Education sector advantageous 

Skills and Competencies    

• Highly organized
• Communication and team-working skills
• Proven research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven project and time management skills (prioritize projects to meet business goal and deadlines)
• Content, media or publishing experience (or interested to learn)
• Strong attention to detail