Managing Editor I at Human Kinetics

The full salary range for this position is $43,000 to $59,000 per year. The expected hiring salary range for this position is $43,000 to $47,000 per year.

Human Kinetics (HK) is headquartered in Champaign, IL. This position is eligible for on-site, hybrid, or fully remote work.

Remote workers may not reside in the following locations: CA, CO, Washington, D.C., HI, MA, Montgomery County, MD, MN, NM, NY, RI, & WA.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Human Kinetics is committed to building a more diverse workforce. We welcome BIPOC candidates and others who identify with underrepresented groups to apply.

Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication, arrest, or conviction as part of the application process.

*Learn more about our perks and benefits here: https://us.humankinetics.com/pages/human-kinetics-compensation-benefits-information

Human Kinetics is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Human Kinetics will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR at 217-403-7609.

Human Kinetics Compensation & Benefits Information

Our compensation philosophy is to value the contributions of all HK employees and to reward exceptional performance exceptionally. To do that, we provide a standard increase to all HK staff, and we award merit increases and bonuses to people who make extraordinary contributions to the work we do.

Job Summary

The Managing Editor I (ME I) is the Product Development expert responsible for supervising several editorial and production phases for assigned print and non-print projects according to the quality, budget, and schedule expectations established by the Acquisitions Editor. Responsibilities include reading standard track manuscripts and handling project management tasks related to permissions, art, photo, and video; copyediting, indexing, and proofreading; design and layout; and ancillaries. Essential functions 1-4 apply to standard track projects. Essential functions 5-12 apply to both standard and Developmental Editor-review track projects. The ME I functions at the Proficient level in all aspects of the position.

Eligibility for remote work: Human Kinetics is headquartered in Champaign, IL, but this position is eligible for full-time telecommuting.

Human Kinetics is committed to building a more diverse workforce. We welcome BIPOC candidates and others who identify with underrepresented groups to apply.

Essential Functions

1. Performs light developmental work on initial batches and full manuscripts for standard track projects, including evaluating completeness of major text elements, art, tables, and photos and providing author guidance for minor revisions. As appropriate, provides guidance to freelancers or authors about strategies for ensuring HK content reflects diversity and inclusiveness and is free of bias.
2. Compiles art, photo, equation, and video manuscripts and completes those transmittals on standard track projects. Assists with photo/video shoots as needed. Ensures photos and videos effectively support the text. Considers evolving accessibility guidelines for print and digital content and works with HK teammates to apply them as appropriate for the needs of the project.
3. Prepares design transmittal materials for standard track projects and provides feedback on design sample pages for all projects.
4. Identifies all items that need permission, obtains source information from the author, and transmits materials to the Permissions Manager on standard track projects.
5. Completes castoffs accurately. Resolves page count issues before production transmittal meetings.
6. For suites that include ancillaries, manages ancillaries according to established procedures, ensuring that ancillaries effectively support the print book, are integrated with the text and other ancillaries in terms of content, and follow HK standards. Plots out ancillary schedules that allow staff appropriate time for ancillary creation while releasing all suite components by the desired release. Collaborates with staff in other departments to ensure that ancillaries meet schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
7. Applies knowledge of grammar, usage, and house and Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) style and proofs text, tables, artwork, covers, and other print and non-print project components for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to HK and project quality expectations.
8. Evaluates and integrates author and other reviewers’ changes at various stages. Applies good judgment in deciding what types of changes are necessary, depending on the type of change and the stage at which it is requested. Provides feedback about the quality of the work completed by non-HK freelancers and project managers.
9. Typemarks and styles manuscripts and ensures callouts for non-text elements are complete and placed appropriately.
10. Ensures accurate art, photo, and permissions data and costs are recorded according to established procedures so that reports are complete. Keeps the publication schedule updated with accurate schedule and project data.
11. Prepares complete project materials for internal colleagues, authors, or outsourcing partners at various project management stages according to established procedures as needed (such as copyediting prep, art transmittal, production transmittal, and so on).
12. Contributes to HK’s profitability by working productively and ensuring project budgets and schedules are met. Suggests improvements to editorial processes or systems to increase efficiency and promote innovation. During periods of lighter workload, assists colleagues with tasks as needed.

Job Qualifications

Minimally Required Education

High school diploma.

Knows the rules of U.S. English grammar and style and can recognize errors.

Has knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style or another style guide.

Can recognize poorly constructed sentences and paragraphs. Can identify ineffective organizational structure in long-form written content. Has well-honed reading comprehension and can understand content about topics that are unfamiliar. Can perform basic math and is familiar with the functions of spreadsheets.

Demonstrated proficiency on Human Kinetics’ proofreading diagnostic test.

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree, preferably in a language-related field or in one of the sport sciences.

Minimally Required Experience

2 years’ experience in print or online editing or publishing, including project management experience.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word or comparable word processing software, including accuracy in data entry.

Can navigate collaboration and communication technology effectively.

Preferred Experience

Proficiency with the complete Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat DC.

Proficiency with publishing technology and productivity, collaboration, and communication software tools.

Required Competencies

Integrity

Resourcefulness

Effort

Respect

Teamwork

Stewardship

Accountability

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Computer literacy

Decision making

Financial awareness

Functional expertise and usage

Planning and organizing

Quality orientation

Results orientation

Stress tolerance

Interpersonal understanding

Negotiating

Oral communication

Organizational awareness

Self-confidence

Written communication

Preferred Competencies

Customer focus

Innovation orientation

Continuous learning

Persuasiveness

Initiative

Conceptual thinking

Data gathering and analysis

External (strategic) awareness

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Job Demands

Office Equipment: Frequent computer use, occasional phone/Teams calls and copier, printer, or scanner use. Rare use of a Mac computer.

Mental Demands: Frequent problem-solving, decision-making, organization, reading/writing, and time mgmt. skills. Occasional supervision and data interpretation.

Working conditions: Indoor, office environment.

Physical Demands: Frequent sitting, typing, and seeing. Occasional standing, walking, hearing, and talking. Rarely will lifting, carrying, driving, or flying be required.

As a requirement of this position, online video, phone, and text communications are expected during office hours. A home office set-up for hybrid or remote workers must be approved through Human Resources along with internet specifications/standards. Employee must be available for in-person training during the first weeks of employment (if/as needed).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.