Communications Editor jobs in Michigan

JOB TITLE: Editor 

DEPARTMENT: Exhibitions 

REPORTS TO: Director, Exhibitions 

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Exempt 

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: Partial 

GENERAL SUMMARY 

Under the guidance of the Director, Exhibitions, the Editor contributes to the long-range strategic planning of museum publications, manages museum-wide publication projects and edits high quality museum publications.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Manage publishing projects including mission alignment, budget, appropriateness, marketplace, museum priorities, curatorial and departmental workload, and scheduling. 
• Plan and develop content and implement realization of various publications, including exhibition catalogues, scholarly collection catalogues, museum bulletin, labels, brochures, and exhibition content on website. 
• Coordinate with Director of Exhibitions to establish and maintain project schedules and budgets. Develop deadlines for texts, photography, rights procurement, and print production and distribution. Follow production schedules and budgets and recommend corrective action to resolve the situation when the schedule or budget is not being maintained. 
• Edit manuscripts to the highest level of quality, and review design proposals, layouts, galleys, and final design files to ensure correctness. 
• Manage manuscripts through all phases of production, including convening and chairing meetings. 
• Coordinate flap copy information, approvals of layouts, frontmatter language with publisher/distributor, and sponsor credits with Development. 
• Negotiate and/or draft contracts between the Museum and all partnering venues and outside contractors for publications, including designers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, translators, authors, contributors, co-publishers, and distributors. Ensures that contracts are fulfilled and remunerated. 
• Serve as primary liaison with Museum Shop on catalogue orders. 
• Update and manage style guide for entire museum according to editorial industry best practices. 
• Collaborate with authors to plan and edit manuscripts. 
• Coordinate with publishing distribution partner to establish the distribution of catalogues. 
• Oversee the application for ISBN, CIP, permissions, grants and copyrights as required for all applicable publications 
• Oversee the collection of illustrations and obtain reproduction rights. 
• Assist in preparing grant applications for financial support of publications 
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.   

QUALIFICATIONS 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

Master’s degree in art history, English, literature, or related field required. Five (5) years of experience as an editor in a university press, trade publishing house, or comparable institution required.  Museum experience preferred.  Experience managing projects required.   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES  

• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.   
• Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects to meet deadlines and goals.  
• Ability to provide information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally through talking or writing.  
• Experience with book design and editing software, InDesign preferred.  
• Experience with collections database software, The Museum System (TMS) preferred. 
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution, and recommend appropriate course of action. 
• Detailed knowledge of English usage, grammar, punctuation, spelling, proofreading, and standard editing symbols.   
• Must possess a demonstrated understanding of ethical business conduct and professional practices including maintenance and protection of confidential and sensitive information. 
• Ability to communicate with, manage and oversee vendors to meet expectations and deadlines. 
• Must be proficient in the latest version of Microsoft Office 365. 
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.  
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork.  This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.    

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone and email. 

This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the supervisor’s ability to modify work assignments as appropriate.  

THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.