Specialist, Editorial Developer

SUMMARY

The Editorial Developer is responsible for executing the successful development of assigned program content to meet the program goals as described in the business case and program schedule, as well as broader Pearson goals related to the Global Quality Policy, local content requirements, and IHE strategy. The Editorial Developer collaborates with the product team to create the content plan for all assigned titles, and works with authors, subject matter experts, vendors, suppliers, project managers and other external and internal stakeholders to ensure that content is created and delivered as planned within the established schedule and budget. The Editorial Developer will build and maintain a strong working knowledge of Pearson platforms to ensure that the delivered content follows best practices for the intended delivery model.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Completion of a university degree.

• Post graduate degree/diploma is an asset.

• 2-3 years of previous Developmental Editing, Content Development, and/or digital editorial experience.

Skills/knowledge/abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills.

• Proficiency with various software; including all Microsoft Office applications.

• Experience with various additional software such as Smartsheet, Jira, Adobe, and Oracle applications is an asset.

• Knowledge of higher education publishing standards, eTexts, digital learning platforms, LMS and/or other learning apps, environments, and tools.

• Editorial skills, including basic copy editing and substantive editing.

• Time management skills, ability to prioritize, and the ability to balance the needs of many projects at once.

• Experience and/or formal training in Instructional Design is an asset.

• Familiarity and comfort working with generative AI and prompt building is an asset.

• Exceptional organizational skills, detail-oriented, and strong ability to multi-task.

• Adaptable problem-solver, team collaborator, and ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously and operate in a demanding work environment is important.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and scheduling of content plans and/or media plans

• Collaborate with the product owner and project manager to create content plans and establish workflows, with particular attention to content requirements, scope, schedule, and execution.

• Establish coordinated high-level content development schedules and development plans for full program components.

• Plan for and attend all assigned project-related meetings.

• Finalize and document project-specific media plans.

• Clarify required deliverables for each program component and ensure final content is delivered to acceptable standards.

• Ensure that pedagogy standards and Global Content Policy requirements are documented, maintained, and implemented.

• Work with the R&P team to ensure that permission requirements are properly communicated and documented.

Manage content development of assigned titles

• Manage the development of the content plan, in collaboration with the product team, that reflects the strategic goals of the program and supports the program scope as presented in the business case and planning process. This may involve the hiring and management of vendors, suppliers, and other contributors.

• Collaborate with the product owner, project manager, and other stakeholders to document and implement the digital learning requirements, digital structure etc. within the limitations of platform, budget and schedule to support the best possible digital learning experience for each product.

• Prepare start-up materials for authors including detailed documentation summarizing the content plan. This will include incorporating manuscript preparation requirements for print and digital outputs. This work may involve the analysis of previous edition files and documentation including project plans and permission logs.

• Analyze and assess content during the writing process to ensure compliance with the Global Content Policy and any specific DEI feedback obtained via the review process. Work with authors and SMEs to ensure successful implementation of the feedback throughout the development process. This may include escalating issues to other stakeholders within the product team for further remediation.

• Analyze peer review feedback of products obtained prior to signing and/or during development and prepare documents summarizing the analysis and providing guidance for authors and SMEs in the implementation of the feedback.

• Obtain and review content from authors and SMEs throughout the development process and ensure they are provided detailed feedback on adherence to the content plan and other project parameters.

• In close collaboration with the project manager prepare content for transmittal from the writing stage to the production stage and ensure projects comply with acceptance criteria and workflow guidelines, including tools and templates appropriate to the platform for which content is developed.

• Assist in training and supporting external content writers/SMEs in pedagogy and other areas related to content development.

• Create and maintain all required core and supporting documentation throughout the development process.

• Track and communicate ongoing detailed status of projects to other stakeholders.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop proficiency with Pearson platforms and systems, as well as key 3rd party applications for the purposes of content creation and provide support to other stakeholders within these platforms as required.

• Guide and instruct authors, subject matter experts, and vendors, when appropriate, in preparation of writing samples and demo materials as required, using appropriate author tools for all content including 3rd party applications integrated within Pearson products.

• Assist in training and supporting external content writers (authors/SMEs/vendors) in pedagogy and their use of the appropriate authoring environment and tools.

• Execute development of all assigned digital updates such as currency updates, addition of new digital learning content, and applications to live products etc.

• Work with other team members to remediate all content query tickets as assigned. This may include providing detailed instructions for the work to be carried out by a vendor.

• Work with the product team to troubleshoot issues related to rights and permissions for 3rd party content.

• Participate in or lead all relevant project meetings such as program planning meetings, staging meetings, transmittal meetings, and blueprint meetings.

• Develop key supplement components as assigned, including Testbanks, Instructor’s Manuals, Instructor Solutions Manuals, and PowerPoints, and ensure quality and integration between the supplements and main title component. This may include the use of generative AI and subsequent validation of the content directly or in collaboration with an external SME.

• Provide in-house support to suppliers and contributors as required.

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