Associate Managing Editor-Temporary

About the position Sourcebooks is seeking a Temporary Associate Managing Editor to support the successful execution of publishing schedules for board books, picture books, novelty, and young reader children's titles. In this role, you will coordinate timelines, track project milestones, and provide reporting that keeps cross-functional teams informed and aligned. This role works closely with Editorial, Manufacturing, Production, and other stakeholders to ensure projects stay on schedule while contributing to process improvements that enhance operational efficiency. The ideal candidate is highly organized, collaborative, data-driven, and eager to grow their expertise in managing editorial and production workflows.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain project schedules for assigned imprints, ensuring timelines support publishing goals and deliverables.
• Track key milestones and deadlines using project management tools such as Smartsheet and Basecamp.
• Support seasonal publishing schedules by monitoring manuscript, ARC, and production milestones.
• Partner with Manufacturing to monitor production timelines and help ensure on-sale dates are achieved.
• Coordinate cross-functional meetings and communicate schedule updates, risks, and potential delays to key stakeholders.
• Attend project launch meetings to understand project scope, workflow, and scheduling requirements.
• Collaborate with Editorial Production and other teams to identify and resolve scheduling challenges.
• Generate regular project status reports and provide visibility into editorial, design, and manufacturing workflows.
• Analyze scheduling data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Perform quality control checks of covers and interiors
• Assist with workflow documentation, process enhancements, and implementation of new project management tools.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in editorial production, managing editorial, project coordination, or a related publishing role.
• Experience using project management platforms such as Smartsheet, Basecamp, Monday.com, or similar tools.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and identify workflow improvements.
• Working knowledge of the publishing process from manuscript through finished product.
• Experience with full-color, highly illustrated books on overseas printing timelines.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Proactive, adaptable, and eager to learn new processes and technologies.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across cross-functional teams and contribute to continuous process improvement.