Role overview

Help bring extraordinary books to life. If you're an experienced publishing professional who thrives on managing complex projects, solving challenging production puzzles, and collaborating across departments to deliver exceptional books, we'd love to meet you. Sourcebooks is seeking a Senior Production Editor to join our Adult Publishing Operations team. This is more than a production role--it's an opportunity to serve as a strategic leader who drives quality, mentors teammates, improves workflows, and helps shape how books move from manuscript to finished product.

You'll manage a diverse list of frontlist and backlist titles for high-profile authors while partnering with Editorial, Design, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and freelance editorial partners to ensure every project meets our standards for quality, accuracy, and schedule. Whether you're navigating a complex production schedule, mentoring newer team members, or identifying smarter ways to work, you'll play an essential role in helping our books--and our people--succeed.

What you'll do

Lead the editorial production of complex and high-profile publishing projects from manuscript through final files.
Manage production schedules, priorities, and critical milestones to ensure books are delivered on time and at the highest quality.
Coordinate copyediting, proofreading, page review, corrections, approvals, and final production readiness.
Partner with the Freelance Resource Manager to secure and oversee editorial vendors while maintaining quality standards.
Manage Advance Reader Copy (ARC) production to support Marketing and Sales deadlines.
Collaborate closely with Editorial, Design, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and other stakeholders to resolve production challenges and keep projects moving forward.
Perform final quality assurance reviews before files are released to manufacturing and digital distribution.
Identify opportunities to improve workflows, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency across the department.
Mentor Production Editors by sharing best practices, providing guidance, and supporting onboarding and training efforts.
Contribute to cross-functional planning discussions and help develop scalable publishing operations.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and publishing experience.
8+ years of experience in publishing operations, production editorial, or a related publishing discipline.
Demonstrated success managing multiple complex publishing projects simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines.
Deep understanding of editorial production workflows, including copyediting, proofreading, page composition, quality assurance, and manufacturing readiness.
Exceptional organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external vendors.
Experience mentoring colleagues and contributing to team development.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat; experience with publishing workflow and project management systems is preferred.
Familiarity with Smartsheet and Basecamp a plus.
A continuous improvement mindset and enthusiasm for learning new technologies, workflows, and publishing best practices.

Compensation and Benefits

This is an exempt, salaried position with a pay range of $62,000-$66,500.
Starting pay is determined based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education.
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits program, including Medical/Prescription Drug Insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, 401(k), Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, and generous paid time off.

Location

This position can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

Application Information

Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Show your passion and creativity – we're looking for someone who's as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!

Senior Production Editor

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Job Description