Managing Editor, Product Development - Human Kinetics

Human Kinetics 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, or Chicago/Cook County.

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

Compensation Philosophy 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.

Visit the Human Kinetics Website

Job Summary

As a member of either the AC or TP Editorial Department, the Managing Editor is the ProdDev 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 DE-review track projects.

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 TM.
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 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.

Secondary Functions

1. Develops resources for other editorial staff, authors, acquisitions editors, or production staff to improve or simplify the publication process, including the development of updated checklists, forms, or other planning/reporting tools that streamline or improve communication.
2. Provides leadership to other editors by developing and presenting training sessions.
3. Serves as an expert resource for staff inside and outside editorial to help clarify how editorial processes affect and are affected by other departments' needs.
4. Works with Editorial Directors to ensure the effective functioning of HK's editorial processes. Participates in the creation and maintenance of current, complete, and accurate procedure documentation for ME tasks. Makes adjustments to procedures or systems as needed to address quality problems. Coordinates as needed with directors of non-editorial departments to establish clear workflows, procedures, and communication channels.
5. Represents the ME role in various HK task forces.

Job Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required (Advanced degree in a language or sport sciences field preferred), along with demonstrated proficiency on a proofreading diagnostic test.

Required Experience: Experience in print or online editing or publishing project management experience. Proficiency with Microsoft Word or comparable word processing software required with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Acrobat DC experience preferred. 

 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

People development

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.