Director, Editorial

Summary

Provides overall product development leadership for a literacy supplemental, assessment and intervention, K-12, product line. With Product Management/Marketing and Design/Technology, works to shape and finalize individual product plans, overseeing prototyping activities, component array planning, and customization strategy for the Literacy Supplemental, Assessment & Intervention product line. Manages the work of the supervisory staff on major department projects through all stages of product development, ensuring that projects are completed on time, on budget, and in alignment with original product vision.

Scope and Impact of Job

Strategy and Planning

The Editorial Director participates in and contributes to overall line strategy and pub planning for K-12 Literacy Supplemental, Assessment & Intervention product lines, working closely with the VP Literacy. In addition, the Director serves as the leader throughout the detailed planning of individual programs and works together with the VP and the appropriate Editorial, Design, Technology, Production, and defined planning teams to make all key decisions in the development of a detailed program plan. The Literacy Supplemental, Assessment & Intervention Editorial Director is a subject-matter expert for Reading and English Language Arts and, in collaboration with the appropriate editorial staff, uses that knowledge to help ensure that the program plan is both highly competitive and instructionally sound. In addition, the Director is responsible for encouraging development strategies-such as content reuse-to improve efficiencies and lower overall program budgets.

Development

The Editorial Director is responsible for oversight of the execution strategy that will ensure that all programs or titles within the product line are completed on schedule and on budget. This involves creating department staffing plans, recruiting outside writers, managing author involvement, and determining outsourcing strategy. The Director, along with the appropriate editorial managers, is responsible for ensuring that staff understands all the details in the plan for the assigned project, including specs, writing guidelines, and the plan details for any RFPs. The Director is ultimately accountable for ensuring that the evolving product meets the objectives, budget, and schedule for the plan.

The Editorial Director shares responsibility with the appropriate Product Managers for the overall success of the product line in the marketplace.

Supervisory responsibilities (direct and indirect)

Represents Savvas Learning as a Literacy subject-matter expert. Plans for and manages the use of in-house and external resources as needed to complete assigned projects. Takes an active role in the performance management of assigned staff, encouraging appropriate career growth as well as feedback in the case of performance issues. Manages 5 or more direct reports; indirectly supervises a staff of 5 to 10 editors. Supervises the enlistment and retention of authors.

Primary Responsibilities

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  Manages the work of senior staff members on one or more projects in the following responsibilities:

  
  
  
  
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    Develops competitive, detailed, grade-appropriate program plans based on ELA standards/frameworks and research.

    
    
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    Manages content through manuscript and all stages of production.

    
    
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    Ensures product responds to customer needs.

    
    
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    Ensures programs are published on budget and on schedule.

    
    
  
  
  
  
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  Working with Product Management, analyzes competition and market trends and incorporates findings into program.

  
  
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  Participates, as appropriate, in market research efforts (e.g., prepare sample lessons, conduct phone interviews, attend focus groups, etc.)

  
  
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  Participates in planning assigned projects; makes creative suggestions that reflect an understanding of the marketplace and an awareness of customer needs.

  
  
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  Provides marketing support, as appropriate, that may include sales and conference presentations, correlations to state guidelines, and workshop support for departmental products.

  
  
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  Participates, as appropriate, in managing staff performance in the following ways:

  
  
  
  
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    Identifies opportunities to support employees through professional development activities.

    
    
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    Identifies key staff and grooms them for greater responsibilities and future management roles as part of succession planning.

    
    
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    Improves communication by taking a leading role in regularly scheduled staff meetings.

    
    
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    Guides department managers in effective practices for performance evaluations.

    
    
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    Monitors and communicates job expectations for performance improvement.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Required Knowledge and Experience

Related work experience:

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  Minimum 7 years of experience in literacy curriculum development and educational publishing.

  
  
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  5+ years of project oversight and staff management experience are essential.

  
  
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  Teaching experience is strongly preferred.

  
  

Formal education or equivalent:

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  Bachelor's degree in elementary and/or secondary literacy education or related. An advanced degree is preferred.

  
  

Skill Requirements:

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  Comprehensive understanding of literacy curriculum, instructional models, and pedagogy.

  
  
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  Understanding the role of print and digital in the education market and designing products that capitalize on the strengths of the different mediums

  
  
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  Understanding of budgeting, project approval, and production processes.

  
  
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  Experience in curriculum materials development, in instructional design development, and in the visual delivery of instruction.

  
  
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  Strong problem-solving skills in dealing with the ambiguity of a fast-paced setting.

  
  
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  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong team-building skills, and strong leadership skills.

  
  
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  In-depth understanding of print and digital production processes and workflows.

  
  
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  Strong presentation skills with ability to customize presentation to different audiences (internal team, senior management, the sales force, and customers).

  
  
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  Ability to respond quickly in an environment of changing priorities. Must be able to set relevant priorities daily as the job requires multi-tasking.

  
  
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  Demonstrated ability to work productively with counterparts in other functional groups.

  
  
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  History of effective staff management and leadership. Must be able to generate excellent involvement from a variety of staff members who have various specialized skills.

  
  
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  Must have a customer-focus in working with the team to conceptualize marketable product. Must be able to turn great ideas into concrete product plans that fit the timeframe and resources available.

  
  
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  Must be strategic and efficient in planning and executing to ensure consistent on-time delivery of product.