Managing Editor- Cape Town at Maskew Miller Learning

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. Huge focus is placed on collaboration with writers, reviewers, content developers and designers.
• Ensure that Freelancers are identified, recruited and booked for projects ahead of the production schedule.
• Ensure that a sufficient pool of qualified freelancers is 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 content development and publishing processes employed by various teams that support the editorial and production process.
• Adhere to the processes and workflows 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 the sound 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 Publisher and 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 Publisher or Lead Publisher.
• Evaluate the freelancer's contribution to the project prepared and discussed with the Publisher.
• Control the flow of work through tracking of work-in-progress.
• Tracking between various internal and external team members. Manage and track the production progress of various products through our all-in-one workflow productivity tracker tool.
• Updating schedules during the editorial and production process to ensure clear guidelines during the process.
• 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 product scope, 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 and products.
• Ensure that you gather from the Publisher all relevant information to ensure you have a clear understanding of how these factors impact on the specific project and products.
• Collaborate with the Publisher to draw up budgets and ensure adherence to agreed budgets.
• Complete final quality control check of product.

Educational Requirements    

• Bachelor's degree in English
• Knowledge and understanding of pedagogy and teaching methodology advantageous

Experience Requirements    

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

Skills and Competencies    

• Proficiency in English is critical
• Highly organised and detail-oriented
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Effective communicator and team-working skills
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven project and time management skills (prioritize projects to meet business goal and deadlines)
• Financial acumen - manage production cost against approved budget
• Content, media or publishing experience