Director, Content and Media Production

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  Responsible for the effective management of content and media production operations for core and ancillary titles in the following disciplines: World Language, English Literature, Speech, Mass Communication, Linguistics, College Success, and English Composition, History (US World) and Political Science. Supports Executive Director in defining the site implementation of a media-neutral, XML-based workflow as well as other production initiatives. Has financial accountability of team level production expenditures. Has financial accountability of team level production expenditures. Plans and implements processes and workflows, automated tools, and tracking systems, such as our internal product lifecycle database, production automation stylesheets, and content management systems.  Directly supervises Production Manager and Content Project Managers (production editors) and coordinates training in new processes and workflows, automated tools, and tracking systems, e.g., IPS, PAL, and COMPASS. Oversees outsourced production activities at approved Cengage Learning vendors to ensure optimum publication dates, to achieve cost savings targets, and to maximize revenue. Partners with editorial management to impact the effective planning, transmittal, and delivery of content and products.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:·  Directly supervises a content production team of production managers and content project managers in order to achieve schedule, quality, and budget goals of print and media product in discipline/content areas·  Counsel, coach, motivate, plan training programs, and develop career paths for staff, and provide ongoing performance feedback.·  Oversees team activities to produce content for delivery to print and select media through effective resource management and full-service outsourcing·  Monitors team level plate expenditures to achieve plate budgets and to meet agreed-upon cost-savings goals.·  Ensures that team adheres to standardized buying practices and processes for all content production, composition, prepress, and media production services·  Establishes strategic priorities and helps resolve process problems and workflow impediments·  Provides input to Executive Director on strategic vendor placement and vendor performance; implements 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 quality ·  Oversees the integration of XML, content management, and production automation tools, workflows, and standards in the team to achieve an end-to-end media-neutral, XML-based, digital workflow·  Partners with key editorial management to ensure effective list planning, plate estimating, and schedule expectations as well as to affect editorial standards and processes that support production automation·  Works with Executive Director CMP to explore efficiencies that might be found with offshore or domestic vendors as well as new processes and procedures for production of both core and ancillary products  Knowledge/Skills/Experience:  Â·  BA/BS or equivalent work experience·  Minimum of 7 years’ experience in print and media production, plus at least 5 years experience in management/supervision  Â·  Proven relationship management skills, including the ability to successfully relate to a variety of people externally and internally to form strong working relationships Â·  Proven project management skills: comfortable managing the workflow of several titles while juggling the schedules, tasks and team members of each project·  Knowledgeable in all aspects of print and media production, including project management, scheduling, programming, copyediting, proofreading, composition, prepress, design, and permissions ·  Operating knowledge of content and media production practices and tools, including content management systems, authoring templates for text and media, project tracking systems, XML editing tools, desktop publishing and automated composition systems·  Working knowledge of data formats such as HTML and XML·  Strong knowledge of financial procedures and controls·  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interpret and translate information to teams and individuals and to report effectively to management·  Demonstrated ability to successfully lead process improvement initiatives, to develop and motivate staff to implement change, and to problem solve effectively·  Demonstrates initiative and innovation; identifies and supports ways to improve processes through technology or new ways of thinking·  Strong leadership, people management, collaboration, influencing, and team-building skills·  Effective networking and negotiating skills·  Strong presentation skillsPlease apply online at: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=LEARNING&cws=1&rid=985