Senior Editor, Publications

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, at least three days working onsite

Reporting to the Director of Publications, the Senior Editor, Publications, is responsible for overseeing and implementing the planning, editing, and production of Museum publications, including but not limited to large‑scale exhibition catalogues, permanent collection books, and digital publications.

Ensures timely completion of projects and high standards for content, editing, design, and print‑production quality across the range of materials the Publications Department produces, including books, catalogues, and digital publications that provide context for exhibitions and the museum’s collection, showcase the scholarship of our curators, and aim to reach a wide range of readers.

Works closely with museum curators to conceptualize book projects. Project manages the production of books and other publications as assigned, coordinating project schedules and teams including Publications staff and colleagues in Exhibitions and Program Management, as well as external teams including book designers, authors, print production vendors, artists and their representatives or estates, foundations, and other publishing partners.

In the first year of work in this position, key milestones will be:

• By 30 days: establish understanding of key Publications projects, roles, and procedures and contribute to ongoing projects and to the planning of future projects; begin developing departmental, cross‑departmental, and cross‑divisional relationships necessary for collaborative work.
• By the first quarter: contribute to an increased number, scale, and variety of projects, taking the lead as project manager for select projects while continuing to develop collaborative approach to projects.
• By one year: work independently and problem‑solve proactively on multiple simultaneous ongoing projects as well as those in development; take the lead in refining departmental and cross‑departmental workflows; expand knowledge of publishing and production best practices; and deepen key professional collaborations while providing mentorship to other Publications staff members.

• Plan and project‑manage select book‑length publications (both analog and digital) to successfully meet the Museum’s schedule, budget, quality, and content requirements.
• Coordinate with curators, guest authors, graphic designers, production managers, editors, photographers, printers, and vendors; oversee the work of and ensure clear communication with contributors throughout the project.
• Solicit bids and prepare contracts for freelance contributors.
• Develop and maintain schedules. Develop detailed publication budgets, manage expenses, and maintain accurate records of all transactions.
• Write promotional texts, distribution bid proposals, and assorted other materials necessary to secure and fulfill co‑publishing/distribution agreements for titles in the Senior Editor’s purview.
• Support Publications staff assigned to obtain reproductions and permissions for inclusion in museum publications, helping arrange photo shoots both on‑ and off‑site, trafficking digital scans and transparencies, compiling related paperwork, and processing invoices for projects in the Senior Editor’s purview.
• Check page proofs, bluelines (or digital equivalent), and jacket proofs for correctness and compliance with design, printing, and binding specifications, collaborating with Publications staff and trafficking these materials among other team members or outside partners as necessary, and obtaining approvals in a timely fashion.
• On all of the above and a variety of other projects, edit for readability and style, write and rewrite as necessary, help maintain the Museum’s standards of content,…