The New Statesman is going from strength to strength, and so we are creating a new role – head of production. See below for the job specifications, and apply by 12 noon on 12 May 2017 to helen @ newstatesman co uk. Please include a CV and tell us what you could bring to the New Statesman, and use the subject line: “Head of Production”. Please indicate your current salary and notice period.
Head of production
This is a full-time senior role with management responsibilities. The head of production will be responsible for overseeing the New Statesman’s high editorial standards across all its products, including the magazine, website and digital editions. They will manage two part-time sub-editors.
The head of production will be responsible for co-ordinating the whole production team, ensuring that staff are working quickly, efficiently and as a team; that layouts are created as section editors require; and that pictures are added to pages in a timely fashion.
They will oversee the sub-editing and flow of copy and manage the production desk, and liaise with section editors on deadlines and proofing. The head of production will also be the point of contact with the printers throughout the working week.
They will be the hub of the production desk, taking a broad view of the magazine, website and digital editions and looking out for legal and ethical issues, and headline/advert/supplement clashes. They will be responsible for ensuring that all pages are sent to press by the print deadline, converting them to PDF if necessary. They will work with section editors to ensure that copy is error-free and presented with wit and intelligence through headlines, straplines and captions. (They will also be relaxed about “they” as a singular; after all, it’s been used like that since the 14th century.) They will work with some of the best writers in the English language today, and make their copy sparkle on the page and screen.
As well as sub-editing skills, the head of production should have, or be willing to acquire, working knowledge of InDesign and PhotoShop, and the ability to navigate picture libraries. Some knowledge of web content management systems would be helpful.