Books Production Assistant (FTC) in Leeds

We have an exciting opportunity for a Books Production Assistant to join our Content Solutions team on a 6 month Fixed Term Contract. You will manage the final stages of production across the frontlist portfolio, ensuring deliverables arrive where they are meant to on schedule. You will support the Books Production Editors and Books Production Lead across the Emerald portfolio, confirming titles are live on our platforms and at our distributors, escalating concerns around deliverables, and updating schedules and management systems. You will be responsible for sourcing files from our backlist for in house projects, including actioning post-publication corrections where they arise.

Strong relationship management skills are vital as you will be working with our suppliers to uphold Emerald’s standards of timely delivery, quality, customer service, and cost control. This role would suit someone with strong time-management and organization skills, an ability to work on multiple projects at once, and an understanding of the books publishing industry, looking for their first role in publishing.

Location: We perform at our best when we feel trusted and are able to choose an approach to working that suits us best, which is why we are a remote-first company. However, we also believe in face to face collaboration, and our UK colleagues meet once a month for team time and quarterly for company get togethers in our Leeds office, so we ask that you be within a commutable distance that you are comfortable with in order to attend the office on those occasions.

About our Recruitment Process: We welcome applications from all individuals, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief. As we understand the value of the transferability of skills and experiences, we are not looking for the 'perfect candidate' – we encourage everyone who is truly excited about our mission to apply. We receive a high volume of interest in our roles and may close applications early if we reach capacity. We strongly recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you require additional time to complete your application due to accessibility needs or other circumstances, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re happy to support you.

What You’ll Do:

• The Books Production Assistant will support the Books Production team across the frontlist and backlist portfolio.
• With strong administrative and organisational skills, they will assist with projects throughout the books production lifecycle, ensuring titles are published on schedule and any problems are escalated through appropriate channels.
• They will be responsible for data handling and input for frontlist titles, actioning tasks for backlist titles and will handle post-publication corrections.
• Support Production Editors and Publishing Operations Editors with final admin tasks, taking books through their final stages to publication.
• Supporting the Books Production Lead with publication day tasks, including confirming title is live and updating title management systems.
• Identifying and escalating problems with digital content, looking for timely resolutions to keep projects on schedule.
• Identifying and escalating problems with print content, looking for timely resolutions to keep projects on schedule.
• Using organizational skills to complete multiple tasks to deadlines, maintain and update schedules, and report changes to stakeholders where needed.
• Liaising with external publishing suppliers to ensure delivery of projects are on time.
• Handling post-publication change requests in line with our Research Integrity and Ethics policies.
• Actioning deliverables for backlist requirements (such as sending files to printers and aggregators).
• Contributing to wider Emerald projects as needed.

You’ll need to have:

• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work to pressured deadlines.
• Ability to work across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to identify problems and propose solutions.
• Schedule management.
• Results orientated.
• Data literacy.
• Social skills.
• Organization skills.
• Clear written communication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Knowledge/Technical skills:

• Knowledge and ability to work with MS office applications, including Outlook and Excel.
• Ability to learn and adapt to internal systems and processes.

Educational level and experience:

• Experience in an administrative role.
• Knowledge of books production.

What’s in it for you?

At Emerald, we value our people. Becoming a part of our team means you’ll join a trusting and flexible environment. All we ask is that you attend the office once a month to come together with work colleagues. You’ll also have numerous opportunities to progress your career, as well as access to professional development and the opportunity to learn new skills. You’ll receive a wide range of benefits, such as 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), remote flexible working, a discretionary performance bonus, 6% pension contribution (raising to 7% if you choose to increase your contribution above 2%) and various benefits aimed at supporting your wellbeing and work-life balance such as a working from home allowance.

Please note - Applicants must be authorized to work in the UK without restrictions or sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Emerald Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our applicants. If you would like to request any accommodations/adjustments from application through to interview stages, please complete the relevant section within the application or contact us at peopleteam@emerald.com and let us know.