Junior Production Editor

The role of a Scholarly Journal Production Coordinator is pivotal in maintaining the standards of academic publishing. The incumbent will orchestrate the publication process of scholarly articles with meticulous oversight. This spans from the point of acceptance to the stages of rigorous copy-editing, careful layout editing, detailed proofreading, and ultimately, to the point of publication. As a guardian of quality, the coordinator will meticulously assess the work of copy editors and proofreaders to ensure that it mirrors the high standards and house style the Publisher has set forth. The coordinator must also possess an aesthetic judgment in collaboration with layout editors, guaranteeing that the visual presentation of text, tables, and figures aligns with the required style guidelines and quality standards. Moreover, the role involves managing timelines to ensure that production stays on track, monitoring journal metrics such as page usage, and ensuring that the final product is delivered in print and online with the highest level of precision. Ideal candidates will have honed their skills through a 1-year publisher internship and will be fueled by a profound passion for disseminating knowledge globally.

This is not a remote work position.  The office is located in Durbanville, Cape Town South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Support the editorial process for academic research journals, ensuring the highest quality of proofreading to uphold the integrity of the final publications.
  
• Process invoice and purchase order requests in a timely and efficient manner.
  
• Collate all change requests from authors and editors on a single proof, meticulously verifying alignment with the Journal Style Sheet and House Style before approving any changes.
  
• Examine each implemented change to ensure accuracy and adherence to agreed-upon standards.
  
• Coordinate tasks and facilitate clear, organized communication among the copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading vendors to maintain a streamlined production flow.
  
• Confirm the format for publishing papers, including industry-standard PDF, XML, HTML, and EPUB formats.
  
• Oversee the final steps of the publication process, ensuring the manuscripts are accurately published online and readily accessible to the academic community.
  

Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field, such as Language Practice, Applied Language Studies, Applied Linguistics, or Linguistics with a major in Language Editing in English, or hold an equivalent National Diploma.
  
• Have demonstrable experience in proofreading with a track record of maintaining high-quality standards in written content.
  
• Exhibit a high level of proficiency in the English language, including grammar, spelling, and syntax.
  
• Show a keen interest in scholarly publishing and a commitment to the dissemination of academic knowledge.
  

Requirements

Required Competencies:

• Bring at least 1 year of experience in the publishing industry, demonstrating a proven ability to navigate the complexities of academic publication.
  
• Display exceptional attention to detail and a formidable command of British English grammar and style conventions, allowing for meticulous editing and proofreading.
  
• Have familiarity with Open Access publishing principles and a curiosity to engage with cutting-edge practices in making scholarly research widely available.
  
• Proficient in using an array of proofreading tools and software to ensure accuracy and consistency across all publications.
  
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of establishing positive working relationships with authors, editors, and production staff.
  
• Ability to work independently, managing time effectively in order to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
  

Benefits