Job Description Summary:

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER:
The Office of the Chief Communications Officer (OCCO) is responsible for integrated communications strategy, campaign development, digital, publishing, and media platforms, as well as outreach for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies).

JOB SUMMARY:
Manages the editing and publication of books, reports, journals, magazines, periodicals and communications materials. Oversees work of assigned in-house publications staff and oversees services provided by vendors. Serves as liaison to all parties involved. Develops and maintains detailed procedures and guides for publications. Ensures that all materials meet established standards as to appearance and content. Establishes and maintains schedules. Assigns work, communicating required level of editing appropriate to each project. Monitors work quality and workflow to ensure editorial accuracy and that publication deadlines are met. Determines freelance and temporary editorial staffing needs. Edits publications and reviews editorial assignments at all stages of projects.

The primary duties of this job are directly related to the management and oversight of assigned publications and various communications products. Applies in-depth professional level knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex problems. Incumbents have full supervision of assigned exempt and/or nonexempt staff and editorial freelancers and establishes processes and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient operation of assigned area(s). Under general direction from immediate supervisor, incumbent has authority to take whatever action deemed advisable or necessary but is required to advise superiors.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Manages the editorial and production aspects of publication and communication projects for OCCO. Oversees the editing and production books, reports, journals, magazines, periodicals and communications materials.

2. Manages workflow, including checking manuscripts, developing specifications, requesting schedules and estimates, arranging graphic and design services, and managing proofreading and editorial services. Stages coordination meetings with staff to plan for production and release.

3. Oversees and monitors publishing schedules in coordination with design, graphics, composition, production, and related areas. Informs client of continuing status of project.

4. Develops cost and revenue projections ("publication plans") for assigned projects and tracks performance to ensure on-budget performance.

5. Supervises assigned staff. Provides leadership and guidance. Cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and disciplinary actions.

6. Oversees freelance activities, including identifying freelancers and coordinating work and ensuring quality.

7. Provides guidance to staff, authors, reviewers, and National Academies' members regarding manuscript and publication processing, policies, procedures, and status.

8. Addresses questions about report preparation and style, reviews and provides feedback on intellectual proprietary practices, and provides users with information about suggested credits and restrictions on use. Ensures published materials conform to National Academies' and unit's standards.

9. Performs a variety of complex editorial duties.

10. Maintains an appropriate standard of confidentiality. When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others.  Accesses confidential information for work-related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• In-depth knowledge of scholarly publication workflows, editorial best practices, and production processes.
• Proficiency in layout, printing, and web-based technologies.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong vendor management experience, including contract negotiation and evaluation.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to manage teams and foster a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Ability to solve problems of variety and complexity using originality and ingenuity.
• Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.
• Ability to operate using appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action.
• Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams.
• Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Six years of related professional experience, three of which were in a supervisory capacity.

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Director. General direction is provided. Supervises staff and freelance personnel.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $88,450 - $110,560. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position.   Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

PUBL

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia