Managing Editor

**Job Desciption**:
**About Maskew Miller Learning**:
Maskew Miller Learning lends its name from the most trusted and recognisable publisher in South African history - Maskew Miller. At Maskew Miller Learning, we believe that learning allows people to move forward in life, enabling them to have brighter futures.

We are a B-BBEE - Level 1 contributor, providing education solutions ranging from early childhood learning to professional certification, curriculum-based print materials, e-learning content and tools, as well as teacher training. We publish in all 11 official languages and have the widest range of CAPS-approved content trusted by teachers. Our quality educational resources and materials are used in schools, TVET colleges, higher education institutions, and home and professional environments.

**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 responsibilities**:

- Source, develop and retain a reliable and highly skilled network of freelancers (editors, artists, proofreaders, indexers, typesetters) by following company approved procurement processes by ensuring that:

- Freelancers are identified, recruited and booked for projects ahead of schedule.
- A pool of qualified freelancers maintained and expanded in keeping with the requirements of the business.
- Assistance is provided in terms of conducting 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 running operations by:

- Understanding the processes employed by various teams that support the editorial and production process.
- Adhering 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 the sound principles of proofreading and editing by:

- Ensuring that every stage of the production process is carefully and thoroughly checked with corrective measures implemented to resolve problems.
- Communicating 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)
- Anticipating 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.
- Making recommendations for improvements to the product's content, design, artwork or product concept to the appropriate person.
- Evaluating the freelancer's contribution to the project prepared and discussed with the Editorial and Support Head.
- Control the flow of work by:

- Trafficking 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) by:

- Completing the relevant project WIP trackers (print and digital) to provide visibility to the whole team on status.
- Providing status reports when needed.
- Ensure follow-up and completion of all required tasks by internal and external team members and proactively communicating any issues or required changes.
- Manage and control projects, deadlines, budget and quality control by:

- Understanding the marketplace, landscape, competitors, end users and other relevant factors is built up for each product type.
- Understanding the financial and timing imperatives of the project.
- Ensuring 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.
- Collaborating with the Content Developer to draw up budgets and ensure adherence to budget.
- Completing 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.

**Education and Experience**:

- Degree level education
- Three years editorial and/or project management experience
- Experience in the Education/Publishing sector advantageous

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Educational Requirements**:
**Experience Requirements**:
**Skills and Competencies**:

- Innovative
- Ability to manage multiple tasks
- Excellent Communicator
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Adaptability to changing environments
- Focused and goal orientated
- Quality conscious
- Able to work independently and in teams
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to work under pressure and work under tight deadlines