Production Editor (Contract)
The Authority Company, Charleston, SC, United States
The Production Editor (PE) serves as the publishing project manager, overseeing the entire project lifecycle from manuscript completion through production and pre-press stages. This role is responsible for all author communication, timeline management, and quality control of the final product—ensuring editorial accuracy and strict adherence to the Chicago Manual of Style and house style guidelines.
This position will exclusively support our imprint, Rethink Books, which joined the Advantage family in 2025. Rethink Books partners with business leaders who are writing and publishing a book to elevate their brand and grow their business. This imprint offers professional project management and a streamlined publishing experience—positioning the book as the ultimate business card for its authors.
Working fluidly with authors, editors, designers, and the internal Advantage team, the PE manages multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accurate project status through an established project management system. This role demands exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and expert project management across multiple platforms. As a client-facing role, the PE must demonstrate professionalism, responsiveness, and the ability to navigate complex interactions with senior executives.
For the first 2–3 weeks, the contractor should expect a lighter onboarding schedule of approximately 3 hours per day. Once fully ramped, the role will average 30–35 hours per week. While the position offers flexibility, availability during standard business hours is required to effectively support client needs. Given the fast-paced nature of the work, some tasks may require completion within 24 hours of receipt.
The ideal candidate is highly self-sufficient and thrives in a fast-paced environment. They possess a sharp eye for detail, strong organizational skills, and a calm, diplomatic approach to managing multiple stakeholders. Executive presence is essential—this individual should be confident, articulate, and capable of managing projects with minimal oversight.
While this is a contract role, it is designed as a long-term opportunity with no defined end date. As the Rethink Books imprint continues to grow, there is potential for high-performing individuals to transition into a full-time W-2 position.
Expected Outcomes
Serve as the key point of contact and project manager for authors, providing highly responsive communication and guiding them through the critical production stages from project kickoff to manuscript sign-off through final galley approval.
Facilitate book title confirmation and initiate cover design process with designers.
Oversee the graphics review process for all author-supplied images and files, confirming that assets meet resolution and usability standards for interior layout
Deliver high-quality Editorial Proofs (EPs) by applying The Chicago Manual of Style and house style guidelines to maintain editorial accuracy, language consistency, and formatting integrity.
Prepare and manage layout review cycles with authors.
Conduct detailed reviews of layouts, checking for typographical errors, formatting inconsistencies, and the accurate implementation of graphics.
Create accurate and well-composed cover copy and book summaries for retail and distribution, adhering to industry best practices and CMoS.
Coordinate cross-functional team alignment by working closely with editorial, design, and production teams to translate author feedback into actionable instructions for formatting and design.
Ensure manuscripts progress smoothly through editorial and design phases, maintain clear documentation, and adherence to deadlines.
Monitor contractual scope and timelines, confirming manuscript length, graphics components, and service hours remain within contractual parameters.
Conduct pre-publication review to verify that final book files meet high publishing quality standards before approval for print.
Respond to and take action on time-sensitive editorial and production tasks within required turnaround windows, including same-day or next-business-day reviews, in order to maintain project momentum and protect publication timelines.
Serve as the internal communications bridge for authors enrolled in additional branding, marketing, and book promotion services, keeping relevant team contacts consistently informed of the publication schedule, any timeline adjustments, and the final confirmed publication date.
Attention to Detail:
Meticulous approach to editing, production workflows, and deadline management to ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy throughout the book production process
Project Management:
Balances multiple book projects while meeting strict production deadlines and high editorial quality standards
Customer Service Mindset:
Provides consistent, reliable, and supportive guidance to authors through strong interpersonal skills and a service-oriented approach
Problem-Solving Approach:
Identifies solutions for editorial and production challenges, maintaining workflow efficiency without compromising quality
Efficiency
: Manages competing priorities while delivering significant output with minimal wasted effort
Adaptability
: Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and evolving publishing needs
Clear Communication:
Works effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders, maintaining transparent communication
Collaboration:
Works seamlessly with teams and freelancers, maintaining transparent project tracking and workflow efficiency
Calm Under Pressure:
Maintains professionalism and high standards in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Growth Mindset
: Seeks continuous learning opportunities to stay ahead of evolving publishing trends and technologies
Skills and Experience Required
5+ years experience in project management in a client facing role
Expertise in copy editing, proofreading, and document formatting
Familiarity with image resolution standards and graphics file requirements for print and digital publishing formats
Strong mastery of the Chicago Manual of Style
Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive), Adobe, and Microsoft Office
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with multiple teams
Experience working as a freelancer or independent contractor, including managing client relationships and meeting deliverable-based deadlines
Willingness to complete a 1-hour editorial skills assessment as part of the interview process; only candidates who complete the assessment will be considered
Preferred
Degree in Publishing, English, Journalism, Editing, or Media
Experience in book, magazine, newspaper, or other publishing formats
Proficiency in workflow management software, such as Monday.com and Worksuite
Familiarity with PageProof, InCopy, or similar publishing tools
Knowledge of traditional and print-on-demand publishing processes
Experience with design software and print file preparation
Proficiency in AI tools and large language models (LLMs) for editorial workflows
Comfort with asynchronous communication across time zones and platforms
Work Environment This is a remote position.
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This position will exclusively support our imprint, Rethink Books, which joined the Advantage family in 2025. Rethink Books partners with business leaders who are writing and publishing a book to elevate their brand and grow their business. This imprint offers professional project management and a streamlined publishing experience—positioning the book as the ultimate business card for its authors.
Working fluidly with authors, editors, designers, and the internal Advantage team, the PE manages multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accurate project status through an established project management system. This role demands exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and expert project management across multiple platforms. As a client-facing role, the PE must demonstrate professionalism, responsiveness, and the ability to navigate complex interactions with senior executives.
For the first 2–3 weeks, the contractor should expect a lighter onboarding schedule of approximately 3 hours per day. Once fully ramped, the role will average 30–35 hours per week. While the position offers flexibility, availability during standard business hours is required to effectively support client needs. Given the fast-paced nature of the work, some tasks may require completion within 24 hours of receipt.
The ideal candidate is highly self-sufficient and thrives in a fast-paced environment. They possess a sharp eye for detail, strong organizational skills, and a calm, diplomatic approach to managing multiple stakeholders. Executive presence is essential—this individual should be confident, articulate, and capable of managing projects with minimal oversight.
While this is a contract role, it is designed as a long-term opportunity with no defined end date. As the Rethink Books imprint continues to grow, there is potential for high-performing individuals to transition into a full-time W-2 position.
Expected Outcomes
Serve as the key point of contact and project manager for authors, providing highly responsive communication and guiding them through the critical production stages from project kickoff to manuscript sign-off through final galley approval.
Facilitate book title confirmation and initiate cover design process with designers.
Oversee the graphics review process for all author-supplied images and files, confirming that assets meet resolution and usability standards for interior layout
Deliver high-quality Editorial Proofs (EPs) by applying The Chicago Manual of Style and house style guidelines to maintain editorial accuracy, language consistency, and formatting integrity.
Prepare and manage layout review cycles with authors.
Conduct detailed reviews of layouts, checking for typographical errors, formatting inconsistencies, and the accurate implementation of graphics.
Create accurate and well-composed cover copy and book summaries for retail and distribution, adhering to industry best practices and CMoS.
Coordinate cross-functional team alignment by working closely with editorial, design, and production teams to translate author feedback into actionable instructions for formatting and design.
Ensure manuscripts progress smoothly through editorial and design phases, maintain clear documentation, and adherence to deadlines.
Monitor contractual scope and timelines, confirming manuscript length, graphics components, and service hours remain within contractual parameters.
Conduct pre-publication review to verify that final book files meet high publishing quality standards before approval for print.
Respond to and take action on time-sensitive editorial and production tasks within required turnaround windows, including same-day or next-business-day reviews, in order to maintain project momentum and protect publication timelines.
Serve as the internal communications bridge for authors enrolled in additional branding, marketing, and book promotion services, keeping relevant team contacts consistently informed of the publication schedule, any timeline adjustments, and the final confirmed publication date.
Attention to Detail:
Meticulous approach to editing, production workflows, and deadline management to ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy throughout the book production process
Project Management:
Balances multiple book projects while meeting strict production deadlines and high editorial quality standards
Customer Service Mindset:
Provides consistent, reliable, and supportive guidance to authors through strong interpersonal skills and a service-oriented approach
Problem-Solving Approach:
Identifies solutions for editorial and production challenges, maintaining workflow efficiency without compromising quality
Efficiency
: Manages competing priorities while delivering significant output with minimal wasted effort
Adaptability
: Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and evolving publishing needs
Clear Communication:
Works effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders, maintaining transparent communication
Collaboration:
Works seamlessly with teams and freelancers, maintaining transparent project tracking and workflow efficiency
Calm Under Pressure:
Maintains professionalism and high standards in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Growth Mindset
: Seeks continuous learning opportunities to stay ahead of evolving publishing trends and technologies
Skills and Experience Required
5+ years experience in project management in a client facing role
Expertise in copy editing, proofreading, and document formatting
Familiarity with image resolution standards and graphics file requirements for print and digital publishing formats
Strong mastery of the Chicago Manual of Style
Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive), Adobe, and Microsoft Office
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with multiple teams
Experience working as a freelancer or independent contractor, including managing client relationships and meeting deliverable-based deadlines
Willingness to complete a 1-hour editorial skills assessment as part of the interview process; only candidates who complete the assessment will be considered
Preferred
Degree in Publishing, English, Journalism, Editing, or Media
Experience in book, magazine, newspaper, or other publishing formats
Proficiency in workflow management software, such as Monday.com and Worksuite
Familiarity with PageProof, InCopy, or similar publishing tools
Knowledge of traditional and print-on-demand publishing processes
Experience with design software and print file preparation
Proficiency in AI tools and large language models (LLMs) for editorial workflows
Comfort with asynchronous communication across time zones and platforms
Work Environment This is a remote position.
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