Content Project Manager

Responsible for project managing the production and
delivery of content for assigned core and ancillary 1-, 2-, and 4-color
titles, their covers, related art programs, and associated media
supplements from transmittal through final distribution. Outsources and
manages work at Thomson-approved offshore and North American vendors,
following a media-neutral, XML-based digital workflow. Is directly
accountable for ensuring that assigned projects are delivered on schedule,
in line with editorial specifications, and within budget in order to
achieve financial targets.Manages the production process for
assigned titles and projects, through approved full-service production
houses or approved media vendor, meeting schedule and cost requirements
while ensuring quality and accuracyPrepares core projects for approved full-service and specialty vendors,
completing the Project Property Form for each in concert with production
technology analysts; develops and monitors overall schedule from receipt
of completed content to publication; assembles/validates individual
project budgets; ensures setup of approved XML-based electronic
copyediting workflow with service vendors; manages electronic copyediting,
proofreading, index checks through the full-service house; works with
full-service houses or other outside vendors to manage, schedule, and
track art programs, ensuring compliance with Thomson Learning standards
and tools for art trafficking and status managementWorks collaboratively with editorial, marketing, design, and technology,
to set design and production goals, implement the appropriate XML-based
workflow; and regularly communicatie schedule, author, quality, and budget
updatesManages activities that ensure the creation and persistence of
high-quality TLdoc XML, including quality assurance checks of
vendor-submitted XML at various production stages and monitoring final
ingestion of XML into the core COMPASS XML Repository; works with media
production and editorial on downstream reuse of XML content and embedded
media/art assetsEnsures that production standards and best practices, including the use
of standard key marks, XML communication tools (e.g., the Project Property
Form), and media/art and text asset development tools, are correctly
implemented throughout production cycle; monitors vendor compliance to
production standards; suggests updates to best practices and standards as
neededManages plate budgets of projects, including accurate cost estimating
and tracking in IPS; monitors plate expenditures on assigned list of
titles to achieve plate budgets and to meet agreed-upon cost-savings
targets, reporting in a timely fashion about potential cost overagesAdheres to standardized buying practices and processes for all content
production, composition, prepress, and media production services; ensures
that new processes and technologies (e.g., use of composition style sheets
and XML production workflows) and approved standards are implemented on
assigned projects
Establishes priorities for project team and helps resolve process
problems and workflow impediments in order to achieve desired publication
datesImplements final vendor strategy, ensuring placement at approved
off-shore and North American full-service vendors to achieve significant
cost savings and workflow efficiencies; monitors vendor performance to
maintain and improve qualityEnsures that all production information is kept current in IPS
Provides regular feedback on vendor performance to managementParticipates in management-led activities to define and refine
production workflows, as needed
REQUIREMENTS
BA/BS or equivalent work experience
Minimum of 3 years experience in print and/or media production
Strong project management and organizational skills required; able to
successfully juggle multiple projects and to prioritize tasks
Effective problem-solving and critical-thinking skills; able to predict,
identify, and resolve issues in a timely and effective manner
Demonstrates initiative and innovation; identifies and supports ways to
improve processes through technology or new ways of thinking
Ability to adopt and implement new processes, procedures, and standards
in an environment of continuous improvement
Works collaboratively and in partnership with all functional areas to
establish and implement new workflow processes
Excellent computer skills; strong word processing and spreadsheet
skills, preferably with Microsoft Office, and Internet skills, including
ftp software, Adobe Acrobat
Knowledge of electronic prepress technologies and composition/page
layout tools, including automated composition systems and XML,
QuarkXpress, and InDesign, and printing processes; knowledge of or strong
aptitude for learning XML-based tools and technologies used for print and
media product production, archiving, and reuse
Demonstrated editorial skills (proofreading, copyediting, application of
style conventions)
Independent self starter; detail oriented
Knowledgeable about print and media production, including scheduling,
programming, copyediting, proofreading, composition, prepress, design, and
permissions
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and to direct outside
vendors and freelancers
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to
interpret and translate information to teams and individuals and to report
effectively to management
Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition, and Webster’s
Tenth Collegiate DictionaryEEO/AA/M/F/D Employer