Publications Specialist (Editorial, Design, and Production Manager) (0080114)
Salary
See Position Description
Location
UH Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Job Type
Full-Time Permanent
Job Number
2026-02293
Department
University of Hawaii at Manoa - University of Hawaii Press
Opening Date
10/26/2026
Closing Date
12/7/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:
0080114
Description
Title: Publications Specialist (Editorial, Design, and Production Manager)
Position Number: 0080114
Hiring Unit: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA LIBRARY SERVICES, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PRESS, EDITORIAL, DESIGN, AND PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa, UH Press (2840 Kolowalu Street, Honolulu, HI 96822)
Date Posted: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 12/07/2026
Band: B
Salary : salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Duties and Responsibilities (* denotes essential functions)
- *Serves as the department head and primary representative for the Editorial, Design, and Production (EDP) Department. Manages the departments budget, planning, and organizational development. Manages the manufacturing and digital production workflow across multiple channels for new and backlist titles, ensuring high-quality execution of copyediting, proofreading, design, typesetting, print manufacture, and distribution.
- *Oversees planning for the the UH Press list by formulating budget estimates, tracking production costs, and executing final project closings for each book.
- *Establishes, documents, and maintains post-acquisition editorial and production standards while leading process optimization, communicating workflow changes, and ensuring procedural compliance across the department. Serves as the primary cross-functional liaison between internal staff, freelancers, and manufacturing vendors to facilitate a seamless printing and production process.
- *Directs the financial and operational workflow for each book project by generating accurate cost estimates, establishing and tracking budgets, and executing final project reconciliations. Drives strategic vendor management by negotiating and overseeing contracts for composition and external services, while routing individual projects based on cost, schedule, and vendor expertise. Identifies and pursues cost-savings optimization across all Editorial, Design, and Production (EDP) responsibilities to enhance both fiscal efficiency and final project quality.
- *Establishes long-term strategies and short-term departmental goals that balance editorial, production, marketing, and sales priorities against shifting industry trends. Advances operational excellence by developing and maintaining internal tools, templates, and systems that maximize EDP efficiency, consistency, and quality.
- *Conducts comparative analyses of vendors, peer presses, and industry standards: adapts workflows for print, digital, and e-formats while maintaining technical expertise in emerging hardware, software, and AI. Collaborates with the digital publishing manager to ensure departmental workflows plan for strict compliance with evolving accessibility regulations, including the ADA, Section 508, and the EU Accessibility Act.
- *Manages the daily operations of professional and technical design and production staff, alongside freelance providers, authors, and copyeditors, by assigning duties, setting performance goals, and providing constructive feedback.
- *Reports directly to the Press Director as an active member of the Press leadership team. Collaborates across departments including acquisitions, marketing, sales, journals, business, and digital publishing to advance shared organizational priorities. Communicates operational status, potential risks, and resource needs regularly to Press leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in humanities or social sciences or related field and 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for book editorial design and production, and/or manufacturing management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
- Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of book editorial design and production, and/or manufacturing management; as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
- Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with copyright and intellectual property as related the book publishing industry.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe.
- If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
- Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style and standard scholarly publishing conventions.
- At least 2 years in a supervisory position applying project management principles.
- Experience in fiscal management, including financial planning, castoffs and estimates, and preparing reports for management.
- Experience selecting, contracting, and managing vendor relationships, including negotiating terms, evaluating vendor performance, and routing work to appropriate vendors based on project requirements.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the technology and standard tools used across editorial, design , production, and digital workflows, including Creative Suite, XML editors, and editorial markup tools sufficient to valuate work and communicate effectively with staff and vendors.
Desirable Qualifications
- Familiarity with UH procurement systems, rules and regulations.
- Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
- Knowledge of printing, digital technologies, and publishing procedures, including short-run digital printing, print on demand, EPUB, and accessibility standards.
- Working knowledge of accessibility laws and standards relevant to publishing (e.g., ADA, Section 508, EU Accessibility Act) and their implications for design, production, and digital deliverables.
- Proficiency with BiblioLive or comparable relational database application.
To Apply
Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents: (1) Cover letter that addresses how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications: degree requirements, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as the desirable qualifications; (2) resume; (3) names and contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) of at least three professional references; and, (4) official transcript(s) showing degree and coursework to date appropriate to the position (copies of official transcripts are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to completion of hiring). Late and/or incomplete (applications that do not include all four documents) will not be considered. All documents become the property of the school.
Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.
Inquiries: Dr. Clem Guthro, University Librarian and Interim Director and Publisher, UH Press, guthroc@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawaii may be viewed at:https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawaii complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link:https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Employer University of Hawaii
Website http://workatuh.hawaii.edu