Development Editor, ELT

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Macmillan Education provides world-class content in the most relevant, engaging and flexible formats to support students, teachers and institutions in lifelong learning. Visit macmillaneducation.com and follow @MacmillanEducation / @MacmillanELT

Development Editor, ELT

Working within the Publishing Content Development team, the Development Editor has day-to-day responsibility for content development from initial writing brief to publication, ensuring that all material is of an appropriate quality and fully aligned to the publishing vision of the Commissioning Editor and Publisher. The Development Editor may also commission ancillary items under the guidance of the Commissioning or Senior Development Editor. The role involves extensive cross-functional liaison with the concept development and content delivery teams to create material which meets the needs of the key audience and is published on schedule and within budget.

Key tasks:

Market awareness / research:

• Work with the project team to understand/establish specific market or segment needs.

• Carry out desk and market research, i.e. competition, segment, market analysis; classroom observations. 

• Understand the publishing vision in the context of the publishing plan and Macmillan Education’s business needs.

Content/manuscript development:

• Understand and contribute to the Investment Approval (IA) process and support the Commissioning Editor in concept development, sample materials, market / research feedback

• Work with the Commissioning Editor and / or Senior Development Editor to prepare author briefs for specific projects, in light of market research.

• Support in the identification of potential authors, contributors and external content creators.

• Understand contract terms and budget for external contributors, ensuring correct procedures are followed.

• Work with authors to develop material which follows the brief and is aligned to different output formats.

• Take responsibility for overseeing external content creators and ensuring the content meets the required standard.

• Provide feedback to authors/contributors, suggesting appropriate action to ensure content meets the brief, with the support of the Commissioning Editor / Senior Development Editor where necessary.

• Alert the project team to any content development issues to ensure delivery is on time and within budget.

• Understand the budgeting process and financial implications of making changes.

• Attend audio recordings, video/photo shoots and photo selection meetings to ensure outputs adhere to the brief / project specification.

• Create artwork, design and digital specification briefs, as well as style sheets, page plans and asset briefs.

• Deal with overmatter (print and digital), commenting on issues and feeding back appropriately.

• Understand the processes involved in rights clearance.

Personal development

• Keep up to date on ELT/EFL issues, undertake background reading and attending conferences as appropriate.

• Use and develop existing skills and participating in in-house/external training sessions.

Key relationships:

• Role reports to Senior Development Editor

• Key interface:

  • Content Development Manager

  • Commissioning Editor

  • Senior Development Editor

  • Managing Editor – close co-operation during life of project

• Collaborate with other internal departments – Operations, Production, Sales and Marketing

• Management of external contributors  

Qualifications, Skills/Knowledge, Experience:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent

• Formal ELT/TEFL qualification

• Knowledge of ELT markets and segments

• Appreciation for a wide international range of teaching and learning situations

• Excellent written English

• An ability to work to tight deadlines and to manage numerous tasks

• Understanding of publishing technologies

• Knowledge of a second language

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• A working understanding of content management systems

• A positive attitude and commitment to aims of the company

• Excellent team-working and organisational skills

• Demonstrable ELT/EFL teaching experience, in a primary, secondary or adult setting

• Publishing background, ideally in ELT

• Experience of working with a range of new media and digital projects

• Experience of successful team-working

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