Director of Editorial, Design, and Production (REMOTE)

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

27d • $109,353 - $133,653 • Remote

About The Position

Established in 1869 as the first American university press, shortly after the founding of Cornell, the press embodies and advances the university’s core values by disseminating fundamental and practical knowledge, while commanding its own distinct editorial profile. Works published under its imprints reflect a commitment to excellence through rigorous evaluation, skillful editing, thoughtful design, strategic marketing, and global outreach. The Director of Editorial, Production, and Design leads a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of eight responsible for shaping the quality and visual identity of Cornell University Press’s published books and journals. This senior role ensures that all monographs, trade books, and edited volumes, and journals meet the highest editorial and production standards—delivered on schedule and within budget. As a key member of the management team, the Director brings strategic thinking, cross-departmental collaboration, and innovation to support the Press’s scholarly mission and operational goals. The ideal candidate combines deep publishing expertise with a commitment to inclusive publishing practices, technological evolution, and publishing excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of experience in scholarly or trade publishing, with progressive responsibility in editorial and/or production, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, with the ability to mentor and grow teams.
• Deep understanding of editorial standards (Chicago Manual of Style), composition/typesetting processes, book design, and file preparation for print and digital formats.
• Familiarity with Digital Asset Management and other industry tools such as InDesign, Acrobat, Firebrand Title Management, and other production management systems.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in university press publishing.
• Knowledge of accessible publishing standards and digital workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead, integrate, and manage the editorial, design, and production teams with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, operational excellence, and workflow efficiencies. This includes staff hiring, development, and performance oversight.
• Optimize and streamline workflows, style guidelines, and quality standards across manuscript editing, typesetting, proofreading, cover/interior design, and file production.
• Partner closely with acquisitions, marketing, digital publishing colleagues, and external partners to improve handoffs, and foster efficient, collaborative communication across all stages of the publishing lifecycle.
• Design and maintain production schedules that support timely, cost-effective delivery of approximately 150 titles annually, while identifying opportunities to reduce cycle times and improve responsiveness.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with a diverse network of freelancers, vendors, and production partners. Lead contract negotiations and performance management to ensure value, quality, and service alignment.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging tools and technologies (e.g., XML-first workflows, automated proofing, accessibility-compliant outputs, DAM systems) to drive productivity and future-ready capabilities.
• Participate in budgeting, financial tracking, and resource planning, with a keen eye toward efficiency and sustainability.
• Represent the Press in internal and external settings—including university initiatives, industry forums, and association committees—advocating for best practices in editorial and production operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager