HarperCollins Children’s Books Group is currently seeking an Assistant Production Editor to assist in the production editorial process on a wide variety of titles—from board books through young adult novels—under all the Children’s Books Group imprints.

This role follows a hybrid schedule, requiring onsite presence in our Princeton, NJ, office one day per week.

With support, the Assistant Production Editor assumes production editorial responsibilities for paperback resets and offsets as well as some original manuscripts based on skill level.

• Assesses and styles manuscripts using Microsoft Word and Harper’s proprietary software, for copyediting, design, and composition.
• Hires freelancers, including copyeditors, proofreaders, and indexers, and oversees their work.
• Copyedits, proofreads, checks and slugs page proofs, reviews sketch and art checks, and provides backup checks of final PDFs.
• Copyedits flap and cover copy and proofreads and checks all stages of jacket/cover proofs.
• Checks all stages of manuscripts, galleys, and PDFs.
• Works with editors, designers, managing editors, and production managers in anticipating and resolving problems.
• Shepherds multiple projects while maintaining high standards of quality control and meeting strict deadlines, often under tight production schedules.
• Marks up pdfs for audio recordings.
• Attends and contributes to online department meetings as needed.
• Provides backup for department as needed.
• Inputs and manages updates in our title management database.

• At least 1 to 3 years prior publishing experience in production editorial or managing editorial, preferably with a quality children’s publisher.
• Works comfortably with basic computer programs, including Tracked Changes in Word, the commenting tools in Adobe Acrobat, and Excel.
• Solid copyediting and proofreading skills; knowledge of industry standards, including the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to set priorities under pressure.
• Comfortable working within a digital workflow system.
• Clear, conscientious, and collaborative communication skills, both verbal and written.

HarperCollins Publishers is a company full of people who are passionate about books.  When you apply for a position, we want to know why you want to work here, and why you are interested in the job. That’s why cover letters are strongly preferred.

The salary for this position is $52,200. We recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to attract the best candidates. The quoted salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview process.  

In addition to cash compensation, the company provides a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.     

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer.