Senior Development Editor

Job title: Senior Development Editor

Location: Madrid or London - Hybrid Working Model

Application Deadline: 18th April 2024

About the Role:

Working within the Publishing Content Development team, the Senior Development Editor works with a high level of autonomy to manage content development from initial writing brief to publication, ensuring that all material is of an appropriate quality and fully aligned to the publishing vision of the Commissioning Editor and Publisher. The role also involves some commissioning of key ancillary items and extensive liaison with overseas markets, content production and content delivery team to create material which meets the needs of the key audience and is published on schedule and within budget.

The Senior Development Editor also line manages the Development Editors within the team, offering mentoring, training and support.

Collaboration with the Publishing Strategy and Concept Development, Delivery, Product, and Sales and Marketing Teams is vital to ensuring the publishing meets the needs of the market and is aligned with pre-press investment.

Role Responsabilities:

Market awareness/research

• Work with the project team to understand/establish specific market or segment needs.
• Carry out desk and market research, i.e. competition, segment, market analysis; classroom observations. 
• Understand the publishing vision in the context of the publishing plan and Macmillan Education’s business needs.

Content/manuscript development

• Understand and contribute to the Investment Approval (IA) process and support the Commissioning Editor in concept development, sample materials, market / research feedback
• Work with the Commissioning Editor to prepare author briefs for specific projects, in light of market research.
• Support in the identification of potential authors, contributors and external content creators.
• Identify appropriate contributors and initiate and develop proposals in line with the publishing vision for ancillary items.
• Commission and work with authors and contributors in the development of material which follows the brief
• Understand contract terms and budget for external contributors, ensuring correct procedures are followed.
• Work with authors to develop material which follows the brief and is aligned to different output formats.
• Take responsibility for overseeing external content creators and ensuring the content meets the required standard.
• Provide feedback to authors/contributors, suggesting appropriate action to ensure content meets the brief 
• Alert the project team to any content development issues to ensure delivery is on time and within budget.
• Understand the budgeting process and financial implications of making changes.
• Negotiate and administer content development contracts with support from the Delivery team
• Attend audio recordings, video/photo shoots and photo selection meetings to ensure outputs adhere to the brief / project specification.
• Create artwork, design and digital specification briefs, as well as style sheets, page plans and asset briefs.
• Deal with overmatter (print and digital), commenting on issues and feeding back appropriately.
• Understand the processes involved in rights clearance.

Staff management

• Manage performance, training and development of staff
• Delegate appropriately and maintain awareness of Health and Safety, Equalities and Work/Life Balance  issues relevant to staff
• Recruit and induct new staff in line with  management capacity
   

Personal development

• Keep up to date on ELT/EFL issues, undertake background reading and attending conferences as appropriate.
• Use and develop existing skills and participating in in-house/external training sessions

Key Relationships:

• Role reports to Content Development Manager
• Development Editor (line manages)
• Commissioning Editor (line manager)
• Senior Development Editors
• Project Manager
• Managing Editor – close co-operation during life of project
• Collaborate with other internal departments – Delivery, Production, Sales and Marketing
• Management of external contributors

Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Formal ELT/TEFL qualification
• Demonstrable ELT/EFL teaching experience, in a primary, secondary or adult setting
• Publishing background, ideally in ELT
• Excellent written English
• An ability to work to tight deadlines and to manage numerous tasks
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A positive attitude and commitment to aims of the company
• Excellent team-working and organisational skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of ELT markets and segments

• Appreciation for a wide international range of teaching and learning situations

• Understanding of publishing technologies

• Knowledge of a second language

• A working understanding of content management systems

• Experience of working with a range of new media and digital projects

• Experience of successful team-working