Manager, Publishing Workflow

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager, Publishing Workflow is responsible for 1) coordinating closely with vendors and consultants, along with the Director, Digital Technology, and Director, Books Editorial to develop and maintain digital first workflows that affect editorial and production of books. 2) Overseeing standards for the production of books in BITS XML for digital publication. 3) Reviewing all digital books content output of XML and other formats supplied by vendors and maintaining the integrity of validated structured content. 4) Designing interior text of most publications. 5) Serving as primary point of contact for vendor in maintaining quality of output and ensuring workflows meet the needs of editorial staff. 6) Coordinating prepress/production aspects of assigned projects, maintaining schedules and deadlines to ensure timely publication and creating and ensuring graphics standards for Books Department publications, including laying out pages using specialized desktop typesetting software. 7) Working closely with Senior Editors throughout the production process and producing final reproduction-quality pages or electronic files. 8) Archiving all computer files for completed projects. 9) Designing book covers (or managing cover design process with in-house staff and outside designers).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work as a key player in managing how our content evolves from editorial process to final delivery in print and digital forms.

• Bridge communication and workflow between editorial, prepress, print production, and digital/web teams, acting as the central point of contact for content handoffs.
• Develop expertise in the editorial digital workflow process to become the main point of contact for the production platform vendor, to effectively troubleshoot XML-compatibility issues with the production platform and with InDesign.
• Develop, implement, and refine efficient processes for content repurposing and delivery, ensuring optimal asset utilization across print, web, and other digital platforms.
• Manage the preparation, optimization, and delivery of all assets for both high-resolution print and web-ready formats, including the structuring and transformation of XML for various outputs.
• Collaborate closely with external vendors, managing relationships to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective production.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to file compatibility, color management, digital asset delivery, and XML-based content integration.
• Ensure brand consistency and rigorous quality control across all print and digital outputs.
• Stay current with industry trends in prepress, printing technologies, digital publishing, and XML workflows.

• Project Management and reporting of all aspects of books editorial and production workflow.
  
  
  
  • Continuously monitor progress on platform issues and all projects and report to Director, Publishing Technology.
  • Prioritize workload to ensure that high-priority schedules are met first.
  • Ensure quality standards of all output from vendors is maintained.
  • Ensure that the quality of graphic design elements for multimedia applications is maintained.
  • Promote communication among production, editorial, and publishing technology staff to avoid and resolve composition and manufacturing issues.
  • Develop cover and interior designs and take the primary role in composition of new DSM editions and ancillary products and multimedia products.
  • Provide production support to Associate Director, Digital Platforms to ensure that the department is kept abreast of design and production trends and opportunities.
  • Manage in-house metadata for books used to create records for use by librarians.
  • Manage font and graphics library.
  
  
  
  

• Design covers, interior text layout, and other graphic design elements for printed books and multi-media products.
  
  
  
  • Work with the Marketing Department, Editors, and Authors to determine an initial cover concept.
  • Use specialized graphic design software to create an appropriate cover design based on a book's unique content and specifications.
  • Create cover artwork as needed, or coordinate with freelance artists.
  • Assign covers to Production Managers as needed and supervise design process, providing feedback and approval of final design.
  • Solicit and work with outside designers as needed, while managing overall development of the cover and maintaining schedule.
  • Coordinate with the Marketing Department to ensure that book cover copy is supplied on schedule.
  • Incorporate marketing copy and quotes into the book cover design.
  • Circulate the cover to members of the publications group and the Author and respond to their feedback.
  • Create other graphic design elements related to books, packaging materials, and other collateral, such as labels, stickers, and logos.
  • Provide cover images and other design solutions for use in marketing campaigns and book prospectuses.
  • Design and set up typesetting style sheets for the interior of each book, including choosing fonts and other graphic elements to achieve a cohesive discernible layout.
  • Produce cohesive graphic design concepts and multi-media elements needed for published applications.
  • Maintain familiarity with multimedia formats and incorporate design tools for application development as they become available.
  
  
  
  

• Use specialized desktop typesetting software and graphic software to lay out pages; coordinate with Editorial on correction passes and indexing; and create figures to produce final reproduction-quality pages and electronic files for manufacturing.

• Utilize typesetting style sheets to maintain a consistent style throughout the front matter, text body, and index.
• Coordinate with the Director, Books Editorial to make sure each deadline in the production schedule is met.
• Determine proper placement of tables and figures within layout.
• Evaluate quality of submitted figure art for production standards.
• Use specialized graphic software programs to scan, draw, re-create or otherwise manipulate figures.
• Edit figures for consistency.
• Generate Postscript files according to guidelines from the book manufacturer.
• Provide PDF files, laser proofs, fonts, graphic files, special instructions, and prepress specifications to the book manufacturer.

• Supervise training of production and editorial staff in platform software and XML workflow.
  
  
  
  • Provide training and support for XML workflow to Production and Book Editorial departments.
  • Provide direct training in typesetting software and design programs.
  • Arrange for third-party training and, in conjunction with Director, Publishing Technology
  • Monitor typesetting and design software developments
  
  
  
  

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

The Manager, Publishing Workflow performance on these duties and responsibilities will be measured using the following competencies:

SCOPE & IMPACT

• Responsible for the daily activities of all aspects of books production workflow.
• Requires thorough knowledge of typesetting software, design programs, and workflows for electronic deliverables.
• Success is frequently measured by metrics associated with devising, implementing, and executing strategy to meet assigned targets, and demonstrating defined organizational work environment behavior.

COMPLEXITY, PROBLEM SOLVING & DECISION-MAKING

• Identifies novel and complex problems and issues and considers alternative solutions. Designs and implements solutions with management approval.
• Recognizes complex problems and escalates them to the appropriate level.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & AUTHORITY

• Relationships span levels internally and externally and center on partnering with APA Publishing colleagues, consultants, and vendors.
• Coordinates and collaborates with colleagues in Acquisitions, Editorial, Production, Marketing, Sales, and other organizations to deliver published titles.
• Uses diplomatic skills to obtain trust and cooperation to resolve issues and/or non-routine matters, manage projects, or achieve appropriate solutions.

ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrates a general knowledge of APA Publishing's processes, relationships, and responsibilities as well as the interactions within the organization.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS and at least 5-7 years of relevant experience and/or sufficient relevant work experience
• Proven experience in prepress and digital content management
• Demonstrated experience with XML. Knowledge of specific desktop publishing systems (e.g., InDesign, FrameMaker) and graphics software (Illustrator, Photoshop) necessary, with at least 7 years of experience in editorial production.
• Experience in managing vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with content management systems and web publishing platforms.
• Superior production skills, with careful attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain a high level of productivity.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with platform vendor, Web site content host, and other vendors.
• Ability to work well with other members of the editorial team and other APA departments.

EOE, including disability/vets