Senior Managing Editor, Riverhead Books (Hybrid)

The Corporate Bookmaking team seeks a Senior Managing Editor to support the Penguin Publishing Group. Responsible for handling approximately 60 titles per year, the Senior Managing Editor coordinates and monitors the production process of all frontlist titles from manuscript to finished book for the Riverhead imprint. This individual will disseminate up-to-date information regarding schedules, on-sale dates, prices, etc., manage publisher’s unpublished inventory, prepare bound manuscript and bound galley materials, and oversee backlist reprints and repackages for Riverhead Books.

Some of our notable Riverhead authors include Anne Lamott, James McBride, Lauren Groff, Marlon James, Hernan Diaz, Liz Moore, Miranda July, Helen Oyeyemi, Sigrid Nunez, and Abdulrazak Gurnah. 

The ideal candidate is highly motivated, detail-oriented, and an adaptable team player with an enthusiasm for books of all types. To excel in this position, the applicant must have excellent organizational skills, as well as a keen instinct for problem solving in a fast-paced setting. They must be able to take direction and follow established processes but also think through different scenarios and get ahead of any potential issues that may arise. They must be able to communicate clearly and confidently with all the departments they interact with. Our teams work closely together and are constantly in touch, which is crucial to our success, mutual respect, and collaboration. Managing Editorial is a service department, and a great managing editor provides reliable information in a timely manner and supports their editorial and bookmaking colleagues to make the best books possible for our authors and readers.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Serves as Managing Editor for the Riverhead imprint; works with production and production editorial to set book schedules, approves book materials (such as jacket mechanicals, sample pages, and manuscript transmittals), routes pricing for approval, manages unpublished inventory, provides support to all departments throughout the book production process to ensure deadlines are met.
• Co-supervises a managing editorial assistant, who will track cover routing, copy due dates, reprint corrections, and other departmental tasks.
• Sets-up and maintains title information in SAP.
• Inputs necessary updates in FileMaker Pro/production database.
• Coordinates ordering of bound galleys for editorial, marketing, publicity, and sales.
• Works closely with marketing to ensure that metadata is ready to be released to accounts within industry desired timeframe.
• Liaises between editorial and legal departments regarding legal vetting of manuscripts.
• Attends weekly jacket meetings and works closely with the art department.
• Attends biweekly production status meetings with production, design, and production editorial, and runs project-specific meetings as needed.
• Establishes and maintains interdepartmental relationships to help achieve imprint, departmental, and corporate goals.

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of publishing experience, preferably in managing editorial, production, or production editorial
• Exceptional attention to detail, proofreading skills, the ability to prioritize, and strong follow-up skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and meet deadlines, take initiative, and problem-solve creatively
• A team player with the ability to build relationships with other departments. A collaborative spirit is essential
• Superb organizational and time management skills
• Outstanding ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
• Solutions-focused when met with challenges and can comfortably adapt to changes and anticipate needs when needed once familiar with the role
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style
• Familiarity with FileMaker Pro, Lytho, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and/or SAP a plus

The salary for this position is $ 76,500.  All positions are currently eligible for annual profit awa