Production Editor - Children's

Sourcebooks•Naperville, IL

2d•$62,000 - $66,500•Hybrid

About The Position

At Sourcebooks, we're passionate about creating books that inspire, educate, and entertain readers of all ages. We're looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented Production Editor to support our growing children’s list. As a Production Editor, you'll manage a diverse list of projects through every stage of editorial production—from copyediting and proofreading to final files for print and digital publication. You'll partner with editorial, managing editorial, manufacturing, design, freelancers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure every title is delivered on time and at the highest quality. If you thrive on solving problems, managing multiple priorities, and working with talented teams to create exceptional books, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

3+ years of editorial production experience in a publishing environment.
A strong understanding of the publishing production process from manuscript through final print and digital files.
Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Excellent copyediting and proofreading skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Experience with project management tools and publishing systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
Outstanding organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to build productive relationships with freelancers and cross-functional teams.
Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
Adaptability, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.

Nice To Haves

Experience in children’s books and/or highly illustrated full-color projects a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the editorial production process for an assigned list of titles, ensuring projects move smoothly from manuscript through final production.
Coordinate copyediting, proofreading, page production, and final file review to deliver books that meet Sourcebooks' quality standards.
Build strong partnerships with Editorial, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Design, and freelance partners to keep projects moving forward.
Assign and manage freelance copyeditors and proofreaders in collaboration with the Freelance Resource Manager.
Monitor schedules, anticipate challenges, and proactively resolve production issues before they impact deadlines.
Review page proofs and final corrections to ensure accuracy, consistency, and editorial excellence.
Prepare and approve final print and Advance Reader Copy (ARC) files, confirming they meet technical and production specifications.
Use production metrics and workflow insights to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Serve as a trusted production partner, communicating project status, risks, and solutions to stakeholders throughout the publishing process.
Contribute to process improvements that help our teams work smarter and deliver even better books.