Production Editor

Job description

Company and Position Overview

BioMed Central www.biomedcentral.com is at the cutting edge of ensuring that the results of scientific research are made openly available throughout the international community. Over the last decade, we have pioneered the Open Access Publishing model, ensuring that original research articles are made freely and permanently accessible online.

The Production team is responsible for managing articles from completion of peer-review through to online publication, ensuring that the production process delivers quality output (copyediting, XML, PDF), as well as the highest author satisfaction with both the process and the final product.

The Production Editor’s role is to manage a portfolio of Journals, reporting to a Senior Production Editor for line management. Production Editors work closely with BioMed Central’s offshore vendors for quality management to ensure that publications meet standards and are delivered on time, acting as an escalation point for the vendors, and resolving performance problems in conjunction with their line manager. As dealing with queries from authors, in-house publishing/editorial staff and external vendors is a key aspect of the role, exceptional customer service and problem solving skills are essential.

Main Duties

• Manage a portfolio of journals from acceptance into production though to online publication
• Performing safety checks on manuscripts prior to publication to ensure they conform to Journal style guides and house policy
• Work closely with and manage vendor performance to ensure articles are published within agreed target-times and meet quality standards
• Act as an escalation point for vendors to answer queries and resolve issues
• Ensure high-quality author experience, and liaise with authors via email and telephone to answer their queries and keep them informed about the publication process
• Liaise with internal publishing, editorial and customer service teams to ensure they are kept informed about progress and issues encountered
• Liaise with internal/external editorial regarding journal production schedules and content quality
• Liaise with marketing and communication teams in order to organize and manage article Press Releases
• Contribute to Production team weekly meetings to identify inefficiencies and share suggestions for process improvements, share knowledge and update team on on-going project involvement
• Make recommendations with regard to process improvements, and participate in User Acceptance Testing of changes to the tools and processes
• Contribute to production development projects and inter-departmental meetings
• Act as mentor to new starters. Assist with organization and provision of training
• Maintain current and accurate records of all relevant communications, audits, corrective action plans, and effectiveness monitoring
• Perform other duties as necessary within the realm of the Production team, and on occasion provide general assistance to other teams within the company

Person specification

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) - able to present and report information clearly and concisely to internal/external customers and colleagues and represent BioMed Central to our customers
• Highly organized - able to manage multiple priorities and stick to deadlines
• Detail oriented - ability to perform safety checks and proofing
• Proven experience of providing high-quality customer service
• Track record of identifying issues/inefficiencies and using own initiative to suggest solutions/improvements
• Team worker - evidence of positive interaction across various teams
• Highly computer literate - understands common software (e.g. Microsoft Office suite) and picks up new software skills quickly
• Embraces change with a positive attitude

Desired - one or more of

• A scientific degree or equivalent
• A background or interest in publishing or other relevant experience
• Knowledge of XML markup process, typesetting, graphics, copyediting and proofing process. Candidates do not need to be specialists in all of these as training will be provided, but an understanding of all is desirable
• Ability to anticipate problems/issues

Please apply with your covering letter, cv, and salary expectations.

BioMed Central offers a competitive salary and benefits package including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, life assurance, discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, childcare vouchers, Give As You Earn Scheme, Volunteering scheme and an employee support program.

BioMed Central Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome all applications irrespective of race, gender, age, religion or belief, relationship status, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation or disability.