PUBLISHING SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER - UC PRESS (HYBRID)

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Position Base: Oakland
Location: UCOP - Broadway Building

This is a 3-year contract position with a possible option to extend.

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

University of California Press has served as a bridge connecting the academic world and curious readers worldwide for over 125 years. We publish books and journals that shift paradigms in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences, with a focus on social justice. Our work amplifies bold, diverse perspectives and inspires critical thought and action. We believe in the potential for scholarship to fundamentally change how people think, lead, and live.

University of California Press is one of the most forward-thinking scholarly publishers, committed to influencing public discourse and challenging the status quo. At a time of dramatic change for scholarship and publishing, we collaborate with faculty, librarians, authors, and students to stay ahead of today's knowledge demands and shape the future of publishing.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Editing, Design and Production, the University of California Publishing Services (UCPUBS) program manager coordinates all aspects of UC Press's new publishing services program. Collaborating with staff across the press, the program manager establishes and maintains the systems, infrastructure, and data and production workflows to run the program, ensuring that systems are scalable to multiple clients. This position is responsible for working with clients from beginning to end of publishing cycle, for identifying and consulting with potential clients and selling the program, and for working with production and fulfillment vendors to successfully produce, publish, and/or distribute titles on budget and schedule. This is a 3-year contract position that will help launch the program, with a possible option to extend.

Responsibilities

35% Client Relations

Internal clients

• Work across UC Press departments-including EDP, Accounting, Fulfilment, IT-at UC Press to ensure program needs are met. Develop interdepartmental procedures to accommodate UCPUBS projects.
• Work with the SMT to grow the UCPUBS program and meet Press strategic goals.

External clients

• Reach out to UC units as appropriate to offer UCPUBS services. Respond to, evaluate requests from, and cultivate UC clients who find or are referred to UCPUBS.
• Serve as main UC Press contact with the press's partner for UCPUBS, the California Digital Library (CDL).
• Manage communication with clients through all stages of the publishing process, from consultation to distribution.
• Serve as the main outward-facing UC Press contact for UCPUBS clients.
• Support clients in pursuing funding, when appropriate.
• Edit/review MOUs, negotiate terms as needed.

20% Program/Project Management

• Maintain and refine the UCPUBS program dashboard, tracking communications with potential clients as well as all stages of engagement with active clients.
• Maintain schedules, budgets, and systems that support/organize the program.
• Report out to relevant stakeholders as needed.

25% Production

• Evaluate projects for suitability, and communicate decisions and next steps to in-house teams and clients.
• Create and maintain production vendor and freelance relationships. Oversee the work of these partners.
• Develop and maintain procedures for copyediting, typesetting, design, proofreading, indexing, e-file and final print file creation.
• Act as a liaison between publishing services clients and outside vendors. Proactively ensure that clients' objectives are being met by outside service providers and escalate issues as appropriate.

20% Metadata/Systems

• Input and validate title-level data in database.
• Add titles to digital content system.
• Set up titles for Print on Demand at various vendors.
• Ensure quality of POD meets basic standards.
• QA data on retail website and library aggregators.
• Onboard previously published titles from clients as needed.
• Work with accounting to ensure the costs are recorded accurately and invoices sent to/paid by client in a timely manner.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of project management or relevant experience, including at least 2 years of experience working in publishing (either at a company/organization or as a freelancer/vendor working directly with publishers)Strong collaborative skills to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Deep familiarity with the book-publishing process from beginning to end
• Commitment to providing high-quality services, as demonstrated by the ability to develop productive partnerships with stakeholders both inside and outside the department
• Experience managing outreach efforts with a demonstrated ability to convey the value of a product or service to potential users and maintain engagement with established clients
• Ability to lead and to build consensus; demonstrated ability to work well in teams as well as independently
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders both orally and in written form
• Proven ability to research, collect, and analyze information to use in determining product options or alternatives
• Experience managing one or more large-scale projects from planning to implementation
• Project management experience for multiple ongoing projects with success in meeting deliverable deadlines and budgets
• Familiarity with publishing tools and technologies, including MS Word, InDesign, Acrobat, Photoshop, EPUB, ONIX, print on demand, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with vendors and freelancers
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Knowledge of metadata and publishing database systems
• Demonstrated ability to understand technical issues at a conceptual level and effectively convey and explain information to users

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to live in California and report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA at least two days per week (currently Wednesday and Thursday).

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Product Development Professional 3

Job Code: 004116

Salary grade: 23

Payscale: $112,000 - $126,400 annual, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is May 8, 2025. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

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