Publications Specialist (Editorial, Design, and Production Manager) (0080114)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Publications Specialist serves as department head and primary representative for the University of Hawaiʻi Press Editorial, Design, and Production (EDP) Department. The role manages departmental budgets, planning, organizational development, and the manufacturing and digital production workflow for new and backlist titles across multiple channels. It ensures quality execution of copyediting, proofreading, design, typesetting, print manufacture, and distribution. The position oversees planning for the Press publishing list, including budget estimates, production-cost tracking, and final project closings. It establishes and maintains editorial and production standards, optimizes processes, and ensures procedural compliance. The role coordinates internal staff, freelancers, authors, copyeditors, and manufacturing vendors; manages vendor contracts and project routing; and pursues cost savings while balancing cost, schedule, quality, and vendor expertise. As a member of the Press leadership team, the Publications Specialist sets departmental strategies and goals, develops tools and systems to improve efficiency and consistency, monitors industry standards and emerging technologies, and collaborates across Press departments. The role works with the digital publishing manager to plan for compliance with accessibility requirements, including the ADA, Section 508, and the EU Accessibility Act. It manages professional and technical design and production staff, assigns work, sets performance goals, and provides feedback. The position reports directly to the Press Director.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in humanities, social sciences, or a related field, and six years of progressively responsible professional experience in book editorial design and production and/or manufacturing management; or an equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience.
Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in book editorial design and production and/or manufacturing management, including standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, theories, and systems related to copyright and intellectual property in book publishing.
Ability to resolve a wide range of complex problems using creative reasoning and logic to identify causes and determine effective, innovative, and timely resolutions.
Ability to clearly and accurately interpret and present information and ideas in writing and verbally, and to prepare reports and other materials.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, team members, and individuals.
Ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe.
For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style and standard scholarly publishing conventions.
At least two years in a supervisory position applying project management principles.
Experience in fiscal management, including financial planning, castoffs and estimates, and preparing management reports.
Experience selecting, contracting, and managing vendors, including negotiating terms, evaluating vendor performance, and routing work according to project requirements.
Comprehensive knowledge of technology and standard tools used across editorial, design, production, and digital workflows, including Creative Suite, XML editors, and editorial markup tools, sufficient to evaluate work and communicate effectively with staff and vendors.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with University of Hawaiʻi procurement systems, rules, and regulations.
Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
Knowledge of printing and digital technologies and publishing procedures, including short-run digital printing, print on demand, EPUB, and accessibility standards.
Working knowledge of accessibility laws and standards relevant to publishing, such as the ADA, Section 508, and the EU Accessibility Act, and their implications for design, production, and digital deliverables.
Proficiency with BiblioLive or a comparable relational database application.

Responsibilities

Serve as department head and primary representative for the Editorial, Design, and Production Department.
Manage departmental budget, planning, and organizational development.
Manage manufacturing and digital production workflows for new and backlist titles across multiple channels.
Ensure high-quality copyediting, proofreading, design, typesetting, print manufacture, and distribution.
Plan the UH Press publishing list by formulating budget estimates, tracking production costs, and completing final project closings.
Establish, document, and maintain post-acquisition editorial and production standards.
Lead process optimization, communicate workflow changes, and ensure departmental procedural compliance.
Serve as the primary liaison among internal staff, freelancers, and manufacturing vendors.
Generate project cost estimates, establish and track budgets, and complete final project reconciliations.
Negotiate and oversee composition and external-services contracts, and route projects according to cost, schedule, and vendor expertise.
Identify and pursue cost-saving opportunities while maintaining project quality.
Set long-term strategies and short-term departmental goals that balance editorial, production, marketing, and sales priorities with industry trends.
Develop and maintain internal tools, templates, and systems to improve EDP efficiency, consistency, and quality.
Analyze vendors, peer presses, and industry standards; adapt workflows for print, digital, and electronic formats; and maintain technical expertise in emerging hardware, software, and AI.
Collaborate with the digital publishing manager to plan for compliance with accessibility regulations, including the ADA, Section 508, and the EU Accessibility Act.
Manage daily operations of professional and technical design and production staff and freelance providers, authors, and copyeditors by assigning duties, setting performance goals, and providing constructive feedback.
Participate as an active member of the Press leadership team and collaborate with acquisitions, marketing, sales, journals, business, and digital publishing.
Communicate operational status, potential risks, and resource needs to Press leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.