Editorial Director - The Jewish Museum : Job Details

The Editorial Director oversees and manages all aspects of The Jewish Museum's editorial and publishing activities relating to collections and exhibitions including interpretive materials and scholarly catalogues. Primary responsibilities include strategy and concept development for the Museum's distinguished publishing platform, including award-winning catalogues and collaborations with leading authors and designers. Bringing a unique set of skills to this critical role, the Editorial Director will have excellent management skills, a passion for books and publishing, background in art and/or cultural histories, and be willing to embrace the collaborative work process that is fundamental to this position. This Editorial Director will oversee a department including an editor and rights and reproductions specialist; they will also be a thoughtful partner with colleagues across divisions, sharing expertise and exchanging dialogue to positively advance the editorial direction of the Museum well into the future.

Department: Curatorial

Reports to: Chief Curator

Date posted: June 27, 2024

FLSA Status: Exempt

Schedule: Full-time; 35 hours/week

Responsibilities:

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Work with chief curator and senior team to visualize a refreshed strategy on publications, including scale and pacing of major books embracing latest thinking on temporary exhibition program and collections.
• Create materials that represent the project (description, preliminary specs, content, authors) for prospective publishers. Review bids and make recommendations to authors, senior deputy director and director on strategy.
• Actively collaborate with publishing partner, Yale University Press, on upcoming titles and further explore mutually beneficial joint ventures between Museum and Yale.
• Oversee publication budgets and provide estimates throughout process; track expenses and sales; predict royalties and works with senior staff to provide a cost-effective product.
• Work with Museum shop director to understand market, demand, and shop orders for publications.
• Negotiate contracts as needed with publisher, authors, and outside contractors.
• Effectively manage and mentor team including Editor and Rights and Reproduction Coordinator.
• Create and closely track internal and external timelines and establish clear deliverables. Maintain and prioritize publishing schedule for Program Division. Work closely with all publication authors to ensure that deadlines are met.

EDITORIAL DUTIES

• Develop manuscript from outline stage to execution; evaluate and edit (with the assistance of contracted editors as needed) earliest drafts of manuscripts; set content and editorial style; evaluate and consult on design; oversee illustration and permission process.
• Consult with designer and production manager, proofread page layouts, review color proofs, and work with printer.
• Manage production stages from copy-editing, working closely with authors, book publisher's editorial/production staff, freelance designers, copy editors, and proofreaders as needed.
• Oversee preliminary copyediting; create style sheet for book; oversee final copyediting.
• Oversee and edit wall text and labels for exhibitions.
• Work with the staff in Education and Audience Development on exhibition interpretation related to wall texts and object labels and manage the review process for those texts.
• Develop policies and procedures for granting permissions for reprints of Jewish Museum copyrighted material. Oversee granting of such permissions.
• Review and evaluate external publications that accompany traveling exhibitions.
• Review promotional copy for publisher's catalogue (and jacket copy).

Requirements:

• Master's degree in English, art history or related humanities field.
• 5 to 8 years of experience with proven track record in all aspects of editorial management including managerial experience.
• Strong editing and writing skills, including book development, line editing, copyediting, project management, book production, copy writing.
• Familiarity with all aspects of workflow for print and digital publications.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in managing complex editorial projects.
• Ability to manage, coordinate, and complete multiple projects and related deadlines.
• Ability to be strategic and business-minded in creating a museum product.
• Experience with permissions and rights and reproductions.
• Ability to work with diverse text material and partner with authors, curators, educators, publishers, museum staff.
• A collaborative spirit and a positive and diplomatic approach to communication.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.

Salary Range for Position: $115,000 - $130,000

Send Resume with Cover Letter To:

Director, Human ResourcesThe Jewish Museum1109 Fifth AvenueNew York, NY 10128

Contact: 212.###.#### | [email protected]

The Jewish Museum is committed to diversifying its staff and encourages individuals of all abilities and ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds to apply for this position. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.

The Jewish Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.