Production & Composition Assistant

University of Texas at Austin

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position assists in the supervision of acquisition, design, production, promotion, sales, or distribution of books, journals, or publishing rights. The role is responsible for aiding in the supervision of various phases of publishing in diverse problem-solving situations. This includes ordering design, layout, composition, printing, binding, advertising, shipping, storage, sales representation, data processing, or other required services. The assistant will schedule works in progress, prepare budgets, cost estimates, statistical analyses, staff reports, and other documents. They will also develop bid specifications, promotional campaigns, advertising materials, contracts, agreements, policy statements, operating procedures, and formulations of objectives. The role works to secure or facilitate commitments for the sale or purchase of books, journals, or publishing rights and performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Word, and Excel.
• An excellent eye for detail and commitment to producing the highest quality books.
• Highly organized with the ability to work on multiple on-going projects.
• Self-motivated and proactive with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a group.
• Ability to lift a heavy carton of books.
• Candidates will be asked to perform a software test in InDesign and Photoshop during the course of the interview.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with FileMaker Pro and database management.
• Three or more years of publishing or related field of experience.
• An interest in exploring, developing, and optimizing workflows, as well as adapting to new technologies and workflows as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Log and organize images in Filemaker database, rename all image files using UT Press naming conventions, making adjustments/corrections to art, optimizing images for printing, and any other issues pertaining to art programs. This includes collaboration across all departments as well as with the author.
• Use InDesign to typeset books from manuscript to first pages; present sample pages; typeset books based on press templates; input page corrections; typeset new material for revised or updated editions; adapt jacket mechanicals to paperback reprints; and make corrections to covers and interiors as needed.
• Process invoices, create purchase orders, and contribute to production plans; pack and ship materials; update business cards and office stationery; participate in the training and supervision of student employees and/or fellows; contribute to related department functions as assigned by supervisor.
• Create cast-offs to estimate the final page count on books after typesetting; monitor and update schedules in FileMaker database; send books out for typesetting based on press templates; present sample page designs; and communicate with authors, designers, vendors, and printers as needed in coordination with other staff. Archive files and submit invoices when projects are complete.
• Manage approximately 25 e-books annually, including sending materials to conversion vendors and quality-checking results. Archive materials on Box. Process approximately 65 print-on-demand titles per year.

Benefits

• The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

What This Job Offers

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