Junior Editor

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This position requires to work in office minimum two days per week.

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
The role is intended to be a growth position for a junior editor to learn and develop with guidance mentorship and hands on training. The expectation is that as opportunities arise they will transition to a full editor and ultimately a senior editor. There are two main components:

Acquisition of manuscripts (80%)

The Junior Editor will also under the instruction of the Assistant Director Acquisitions contribute to the acquisition development and funding requirements of an intellectually rich and consequential program of books to be published by UBC Press in defined subject areas. Major responsibilities include: assisting in the planning and developing of a focused editorial plan obtaining peer evaluation of books presenting publications to the UBC Press Publications Board and developing financial support for publications through government programs and other sources of funding.

Acquisitions support (20%)

The Junior Editor undertakes a limited amount of general editorial tasks as part of the Acquisitions team. These tasks include: strategizing with other departments about the desired shape of future seasonal lists with respect to scholarly and non-scholarly imprints; initiating and fostering collegial author relations; taking on occasional tasks as requested by the Assistant Director Acquisitions in furtherance of broader departmental or press goals; and working with colleagues to meet established press-wide goals and the main this support role is intended to help the junior editor learn about the overall function of the department and the roles and responsibilities of a more senior editor.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Assistant Director Acquisitions and ultimately the Director. Additionally works closely with 2.0 in-house Acquisitions Editors (AEs).

Work Performed
Acquisition of manuscripts (80%)

• actively seeks and acquires books in selected subject areas that will continue to enhance UBC Presss publishing reputation and lead to the strategic growth of the list: 3-5 in first year; 5-7 in second year; 7-10 in third year; 12 in subsequent years;

• develops and sustains a strong and supportive working relationship with authors;

• maintains conversancy with advanced research writing and relevant adjunct literature within specific acquisitions areas;

• attends professional conferences visits campuses and establishes ongoing professional relationships and communication with leading scholars;

• evaluates proposals for scholarly monographs and book series in addition to queries and proposals pertaining to UBC Presss non-scholarly imprints;

• works to ensure that the textual and visual content of a manuscript submitted is of optimal quality in preparation for peer review;

• identifies appropriate experts in the field(s) in order to coordinate and oversee a rigorous fair and timely peer review process for each new manuscript;

• discusses with the authors changes to the manuscript to ensure proper revisions are made in response to reviewer recommendations;

• negotiates publishing contracts with authors (in conjunction with the Director when appropriate) and helps them to meet their obligations with respect to the timing permissions and illustrative and other materials to be submitted;

• prepares and presents manuscript dossiers to the UBC Press Publications Board; follows up on questions and suggestions by the Board;

• ensures that the necessary funding is secured to support a manuscripts publication in its ideal format;

• confers with colleagues as far in advance as possible to discuss a manuscript projects unusual or complex editorial production or marketing requirements;

• prepares a full and informative transmittal document;

• presents new book projects to the Presss staff during marketing and sales meetings including information and materials to help market and promote the list;

• sets standards of professionalism and collegiality in interactions with all internal staff.
  

Acquisitions support (20%)

• coordinates UBC Presss overall list development on a seasonal basis tracking titles and metadata and liaising with other departments to identify priority books subject areas etc.;

• takes on occasional tasks as requested by the Assistant Director Acquisitions in furtherance of broader departmental or press goals;

• in urgent time-sensitive situations assists other editors in the department;

• and works collegially with colleagues to meet established press-wide goals and priorities.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Responsible for contributing to the growth focus and reputation of the editorial department and by extension UBC Press more generally. Lack of organization inattention to detail unprofessionalism or delayed communication and follow-up with authors could result in besmirching UBC Presss excellent editorial reputation and therefore impeding its ability to attract key authors and manuscripts. Poor management of time and resources could seriously impact the overall success of the editorial department. The incumbent has the responsibility for helping facilitate the smooth running of the editorial department as a whole as well as maintaining a consistent stream of new publications in areas in which they are tasked and for liaising effectively and in a timely manner with colleagues funding bodies and other participants central to the Press publishing success. Since a substantial portion of the Presss income is derived from sales revenue failure to perform the work outlined may lead to a decrease in the number and quality of books produced and thus jeopardize the Presss ability to meet its financial goals and commitments.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Assistant Director Acquisitions.

Supervision Given
Occasionally may supervise editorial interns and student support staff.

Minimum Qualifications
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline but post-graduate degree(s) preferred; minimum of two years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• demonstrably sound understanding of the markets for scholarly trade and post-secondary books;

• represent the interests of the Press by initiating contact with new authors discussing ideas and inviting submissions of their actual or potential manuscripts to the Press;

• entrepreneurial orientation with demonstrated ability to build relationships

• knowledge and experience in some of the following areas preferred: manuscript editing production book design sales preparation of promotional copy and press releases publicity budgeting contract preparation rights and order fulfilment;

• ability to establish and maintain strong and respectful relationships with authors;

• knowledge of the grant support systems for Canadian scholarly books preferred;

• experience with fundraising and budget-tracking for book projects;

• ability to work autonomously; consistent record of attendance

• extremely strong oral and written communication time management and negotiation skills;

• ability to anticipate problems and issues and plan ahead;

• understanding of database and other information systems along with experience with Microsoft Suite of products (Word Excel Outlook & PowerPoint) Adobe Professional Social Media (i.e. Facebook X LinkedIn);

• familiarity with a university setting preferable UBCs and an understanding of its mandates and its intellectual as well as operational focus; and

• commitment and ability to develop and implement policies through a consultative process in an environment of conflicting needs and views.