Senior Officer: African Languages Press Publishing Coordinator (Post Level 9): Library and Information Services at University of the Free State

Duties and responsibilities:

• Strengthen the Press portfolio by managing quality submission volumes, improving author satisfaction, and growing the impact of the three imprints.
• Manage the Books Imprints and portfolio to ensure individual Book, departmental, and divisional targets (including revenue, quality, profitability etc.) are achieved.
• Collaborate with Editors and Book Authors to publish high-quality content.
• Ensure that all Book production functions meet cost, quality and schedule requirements and that the highest customer service objectives are achieved.
• Identify and advise on possible workflow improvements in the publishing process; initiate remedial actions, negotiations and process changes where necessary.
• Work with finance, marketing, and operations colleagues to ensure maximum profitability of the Imprints, including management of costs; initiate remedial actions, negotiations and process changes where necessary.
• Ensure the timeous compilation and printing and signoff of Book hard copies and eBooks.
• Identify, manage, and develop plans for Scholarly Books growth.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the Press Books publishing policies across the Imprints and portfolio.
• Commission and coordinate authors, peer-reviewers, illustrators, designers, editors and proof-readers.
• Contribute to the overall goals, development, motivation, and management of the Books Publishing department.
• Ensure that all duties are properly executed to achieve the goals and objectives assigned to the department.
• Responsible for performance appraisals, development of annual goals and objectives, and individual development plans for staff reporting directly to this position.
• Cultivate a culture of excellence, innovation, customer-centricity, collaboration, and transparency.
• Responsible for managing all contractors for the Scholarly Books Publishing.
• Identify and seek out any suitable software systems that is needed for operational efficiencies.
• Evaluate the software systems and its associated costs to make a recommendation of best fit for the Press.
• Suggest changes to the software system as required to enhance operational efficiencies.
• Oversee the testing of any changes to ensure it meets operational requirements.
• Ensure the public view of any platform text remains relevant to the audience always interacting with the platform.
• Ensure that all policies are up-to-date and, at a minimum, comply with the funder, government, and industry-wide standards.
• Advice, guide and support Editors and Authors on Publishing Integrity and Ethics where necessary.
• Stay abreast with OA trends and developments and the press’s position and activities, which could include listening to webinars on the topic and reading various reports.
• Stay current with trends specifically in the way of transformative agreements, as well as the state of market and government policies around OA, both locally and globally.
• Oversee the editorial process, including peer review, copyediting, and proofreading.
• Ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance in all publications.
• Collaborate with authors, translators, and language experts to maintain high standards of content.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for authors throughout the publication process.
• Provide guidance and support to authors regarding manuscript preparation and submission guidelines.
• Facilitate communication between authors and reviewers, editors, and other stakeholders.
• Work with designers and production staff to ensure high-quality design and printing.
• Coordinate the production of both print and digital formats of publications.
• Ensure all publications adhere to the press's style guide and quality standards.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and implement promotional strategies for publications.
• Oversee the distribution process, ensuring wide availability of publications in various formats.
• Participate in outreach activities, such as book fairs and academic conferences, to promote the press and its publications.
• Develop and manage relationships with distributors, wholesalers, and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor inventory levels and coordinate reprints or digital updates as necessary.

Inherent Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma/B.Tech degree/Postgraduate Certificate on NQF Level 7 in Publishing, African Languages, Linguistics, Literature, Communication Sciences, Information Sciences or a related field. 
• A minimum of two (2) years’ relevant working experience. 

Recommendations:

• Honours degree/Postgraduate Diploma on NQF Level 8 in Publishing, African Languages, Linguistics, Literature, Communication Sciences, Information Sciences or a related field.  
• Experience within the higher education environment.
• Knowledge of university systems, policies, procedures.
• Member of a or registration at a professional body (attach a copy).