POSITION
Editor (Legal Publications)
Academy Publishing
Singapore Academy of Law
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to Senior Assistant Director (Publications), Academy Publishing
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Editorial
- Shape content through editing by focusing on content structure, grammar and spelling, and ensuring conformity with house style.
- Improve content by providing constructive comments on manuscript; working on the flow, organisation and clarity of the content; helping authors to effectively bring their point across.
- See manuscript through all production stages of the publishing process (i.e., from manuscript to final product) for both print and online content (including law books, journals, judgments and online articles).
- Manage authors and freelancers, e.g., guiding authors through the publishing process, obtaining approval for edited manuscripts, charting a publishing schedule, monitoring deadlines and following up to ensure timeliness of project.
- Ensure quality of the work is first-rate and publications are published in a timely manner.
Content creation/Commissioning
- Identify content that can be repurposed or adapted, eg, quick reads, summaries, highlights, and assist in the creation of such content.
- Engage in post-editorial activities to promote title edited, eg, working with relevant SAL departments in planning book events and marketing the title as part of author engagement.
- Commission new books and content, including conducting research into gaps in market, contacting potential authors, drafting book proposals and author contracts, liaising with authors on manuscripts.
General
- Maintain warm, professional relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
- Administrative duties, e.g., e-mail chasers, putting together costings, arranging payments for typesetter/ tablers / cover designers once project is completed, providing book highlights to Sales &Marketing for writing marketing copy, e-publishing articles on Journals Online, filling up tracking spreadsheets and reports, etc.
KEY SPECIFICATIONS
- Have a love for the written word.
- Excellent command of the English language, both spoken and written.
- Law degree or formal training in the law with3-5 years of prior academic editing/publishing/book commissioning experience preferred.
- Knowledge of the publishing process and familiarity with editorial milestones preferred.
- Quick to grasp house style requirements and to learn on the job.
- Meticulous and organised with an eagle eye for detail.
- Able to multi-task and cope with multiple publications concurrently, employing good project and time management skills with a keen awareness of deadlines.
- Self-motivated, flexible and adaptable to change, able to work independently.
- Works well individually and in a group, and under pressure.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
- Candidates with experience or a keen interest in academic writing will have an advantage.
- Knowledge of Adobe FrameMaker, web editing and web publishing will be an advantage.
The successful applicant will be offered a two-year contract in the first instance. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
