Project Editor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Editor for the Books Department is responsible for coordinating a range of editorial and production aspects of books and other products to help ensure an efficient workflow both within and across departments of Publishing. The incumbent prepares accepted manuscripts for production by tracking and logging permissions for borrowed content, processing files, cleaning up and tagging text, and updating and formatting references as needed in both Microsoft Word and the digital workflow system. Additional duties include working closely with Marketing to track availability of promotional copy and advance reviews and acting as liaison with the Library of Congress for cataloging data. This position supports all steps required to prepare newly accepted books and other products for production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with Director, Books Editorial and Editorial Development Team to prepare accepted manuscripts for production.
  
  
  
  • Processes files in reference software, resolves software-generated queries and other issues, checks URLs, and edits references as needed.
  • Organizes author forms and follows up with Acquisitions team about missing items.
  • Cleans up manuscripts in Word using macros and assigns defined Word styles or reviews cleanup work done by freelance vendors.
  • Completes check-in forms for manuscript items and updates in-house books publishing database.
  • Forwards prepared manuscript to freelance copyeditor or assigned Senior Editor for copyediting.
  • Prepares copyedited manuscripts for uploading to workflow system.
  • Confirms uploading is complete and that all manuscript elements have been tagged correctly in the system.
  • Reviews reference and citation links and resolves any outstanding issues.
  • Moves any text queries or notes from the manuscript to the workflow system query or comments functions.
  
  
  
  
• Applies for Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) data.
  
  
  
  • Serves as primary contact with Library of Congress.
  • Prepares PDFs of manuscripts or page proofs to upload.
  • Completes online CIP applications.
  • Distributes CIP data to Senior Editors when received.
  
  
  
  
• Coordinates with Marketing staff to ensure timely availability of promotional copy and advance promotional blurbs for use on covers.
  
  
  
  • Tracks status of copy and blurbs.
  • Follows up with Marketing on progress and availability.
  
  
  
  
• Develops and maintains knowledge about APA and APA Publishing functional departments, existing publications and processes, and print and online delivery mechanisms (e.g., www.PsychiatryOnline, www.APPI.org, www.Psychiatry.org, www.healthyminds.org, Psych News alerts, blogs).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

The Project Editor's performance on these duties and responsibilities will be measured using the following competencies:

SCOPE & IMPACT

• Interacts with Acquisitions and Development team for the transfer of newly accepted manuscripts into production. Performs tasks that significantly impact Books Publishing and require the ability to gather, organize, verify, compose, and/or analyze established concepts, policies, and procedures to complete several multistep functions.
• Responsible for specific daily activities for all books accepted for production and any related ancillary products.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of specialized skills and techniques.
• Success is frequently measured by completing a complex set of tasks and demonstrating complex and nuanced individual and group work environment behaviors.

COMPLEXITY, PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION-MAKING

• Exercises judgment to choose a work method/procedure and to schedule tasks appropriately to meet guidelines.
• Must demonstrate sound decision-making in a range of situations.
• Has authority to make decisions relevant to day-to-day operations.
• Identifies complex problems and issues. Designs and implements solutions with management approval.
• Recognizes out-of-scope problems and escalates them to the appropriate level

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & AUTHORITY

• Relationships span levels internally and externally and center on collaborative work efforts.
• Has extensive contact with management, staff, and colleagues across the Publishing department to identify, learn, explain, and report on key issues, trends, and challenges.
• Uses diplomatic skills to obtain trust, cooperation, and understanding in order to resolve more complex problems.
• May represent the organization as a liaison to other departments and divisions and authors with guidance from supervisor.

ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrates a full understanding of the work or project team's relationships and responsibilities within the department.
• Demonstrates a thorough working knowledge of policies, procedures, and terminology of the related department/field.

SUPERVISION

• Manages some freelance vendors and provides feedback.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in English or Communications, science, or behavioral science. 3-5 years of experience. Equivalent combination of education (e.g., publications specialist certification) and experience may also be considered. Must have some basic knowledge of publishing (e.g., document structure, permissions, reference styling and format); experience in medical or scientific publishing a plus.
• Familiarity with style guides (Chicago Manual of Style preferred; AMA, APA also considered)
• Familiarity with copyright permissions requirements (Library of Congress CIP experience a plus).
• Strong proficiency with technology; familiarity with Word templates and macros preferred. Familiarity with publishing technology (e.g., InDesign, Adobe Acrobat) a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to creatively solve problems.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills.

EOE, including disability/vets

Salary-$56,300-$63,200