Overview
Our client is looking for a proactive, highly organized, and solutions-driven Publishing & Production Operations Manager to take full ownership of their nonfiction book publishing projects from client onboarding through final delivery. In this role, you will coordinate key stakeholders—including authors, editors, designers, and vendors—while building robust project schedules and streamlining internal production workflows. Beyond project management, you will support executive outreach initiatives, manage project assets, and ensure exceptional quality and timeline adherence. If you are an articulate, self-driven professional ready to serve as the operational backbone of a dynamic publishing business, we encourage you to apply.

Schedule
Flexible to work US-aligned hours, specifically Arizona (Mountain Standard Time – MST).

Responsibilities

Publishing and Project Management

• Oversee multiple nonfiction book publishing projects across development, manuscript editing, proofreading, design, formatting, publishing, and final delivery.
• Manage the complete client lifecycle, from onboarding and initial requirements gathering through project execution and completion.
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring projects remain on schedule and meet quality expectations.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with overlapping timelines and sequential production phases.
• Take ownership of project execution and proactively address delays, risks, and competing priorities.

Project Scheduling and Stakeholder Coordination

• Build and maintain detailed project schedules, production calendars, task trackers, and milestone reports using Smartsheet.
• Coordinate communication between clients, authors, editors, designers, contractors, and external vendors.
• Manage client updates, feedback, approvals, follow-ups, and outstanding requirements.
• Anticipate upcoming project needs, identify bottlenecks, and ensure stakeholders remain accountable for their deliverables.
• Use Slack and Google Workspace to facilitate communication, collaboration, and project coordination.
• Provide regular progress updates and proactively escalate potential challenges.

Publishing Production and Quality Control

• Coordinate the various stages of book production, ensuring manuscripts progress efficiently through editing, proofreading, design, formatting, and publishing.
• Coordinate with editors, designers, and other contractors to ensure deliverables meet agreed specifications and quality standards.
• Review production materials and deliverables for completeness, consistency, accuracy, and readiness for the next production stage.
• Track revisions, feedback, approvals, and final manuscript versions.
• Ensure publishing deadlines are met and all final materials are properly prepared and organized for delivery.

Outreach and Business Development Support

• Execute personalized email outreach and pitching campaigns using approved templates, spreadsheets, and AI-assisted tools such as ChatGPT.
• Research relevant contacts, publications, media opportunities, and potential collaborations.
• Research and pitch speaking engagement opportunities for the business owner, including conferences, industry events, and professional platforms.
• Track outreach activities, responses, follow-ups, and opportunities generated.

Documentation and Asset Management

• Maintain organized project files, publishing assets, and documentation using Google Drive and related Google Workspace applications.
• Establish consistent folder structures, file naming conventions, and version control systems.
• Ensure manuscripts, editing notes, design files, client feedback, and final deliverables are accurately maintained and accessible.
• Maintain clear project records to support accountability, transparency, and efficient collaboration.

Operations and Process Improvement

• Establish and maintain operational standards, publishing workflows, and documentation procedures.
• Develop and improve SOPs, project templates, checklists, and workflow systems.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements to increase productivity and scalability.
• Monitor project performance, resource requirements, and operational challenges, recommending solutions where necessary.
• Ensure consistency and accountability across all publishing projects.

Vendor Support and Working Hours

• Maintain availability during agreed US business hours, aligned with Arizona (Mountain Standard Time).
• Act as a primary coordination point for vendors requiring assistance, clarification, updates, or support with publishing requirements.
• Respond promptly to vendor queries and follow up on outstanding deliverables, revisions, and approvals.
• Coordinate activities across time zones and demonstrate flexibility when project deadlines or operational requirements necessitate reasonable schedule adjustments.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in publishing management, project management, production management, or operations coordination.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects, preferably within nonfiction book publishing, editorial production, or creative publishing environments.
• Proven ability to independently manage projects from client onboarding through final delivery.
• Strong working knowledge of Smartsheet for project scheduling, task tracking, and workflow management.
• Proficiency in Slack for team communication and coordination.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong grammar, spelling, and professional communication skills.
• Experience coordinating clients, authors, editors, designers, contractors, and external vendors.
• Experience with email outreach, professional correspondence, and stakeholder management.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted tools such as ChatGPT.
• Willingness and ability to work Arizona-aligned US shifts and provide support during agreed vendor operating hours.

Independent Contractor Perks

Permanent work from home
Immediate hiring

Note
Please click the "APPLY" button to complete your application, including the assessment questions, technical check, and voice recording. Your hourly pay rate will be established based on your performance in the application process; submissions with all requirements fulfilled will receive priority review.

One application, multiple possibilities:
When you apply, our team reviews your background against all current openings, not just this one! If a different role fits your skills, we'll get in touch! We also encourage you to keep exploring our job board and apply directly to any position that excites you.