Production & Composition Assistant at The University of Texas at Austin in Main Campus, UT

Job description

Job Posting Title: Production & Composition Assistant ---- Hiring Department: UT Press ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Oct 05, 2026 ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: Purpose To assist in the supervision of acquisition, design, production, promotion, sales, or distribution of books, journals, or publishing rights. Responsible for assisting in the supervision of various phases of publishing in a variety of problem-solving situations. Orders design, layout, composition, printing, binding, advertising, shipping, storage, sales representation, data processing, or other required services. Schedules-works in-process. Prepares budgets, cost estimates, statistical analyses, staff reports and other documents. Develops bid specifications, promotional campaigns, advertising materials, contracts, agreements, policy statements, operating procedures, formulations of objectives, and other necessary items. Works to secure or facilitate commitments for the sale or purchase of books, journals, or publishing rights. Performs related duties as required. Responsibilities Art Evaluations: Log and organize images in Filemaker database. Rename all image files using UT Press naming conventions, making adjustments/corrections to art, optimizing images for printing, and any other issues pertaining to art programs. The art evaluation process includes collaboration across all departments as well as with the author. Book Composition and Typesetting: Use InDesign to typeset books from manuscript to first pages; present sample pages; typeset books based on press templates; input page corrections; typeset new material for revised or updated editions; adapt jacket mechanicals to paperback reprints; and make corrections to covers and interiors as needed. General Responsibilities: Process invoices, create purchase orders, and contribute to production plans; pack and ship materials; update business cards and office stationery; participate in the training and supervision of student employees and/or fellows; contribute to related department functions as assigned by supervisor. Project Management: Create cast-offs to estimate the final page count on books after typesetting; monitor and update schedules in FileMaker database; send books out for typesetting based on press templates; present sample page designs; and communicate with authors, designers, vendors, and printers as needed in coordination with other staff. Archive files and submit invoices when projects are complete. Managing approximately 25 e-books annually. Including sending materials to conversion vendors and quality-checking results. Archiving materials on Box. Processing approximately 65 print-on-demand titles per year. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree. Proficient in Photoshop, InDesign, Word, and Excel. An excellent eye for detail and commitment to producing the highest quality books. Highly organized with the ability to work on multiple on-going projects. Self-motivated and proactive with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and within a group. Ability to lift a heavy carton of books. Candidates will be asked to perform a software test in InDesign and Photoshop during the course of the interview. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Experience with FileMaker Pro and database management. Three or more years of publishing or related field of experience. An interest in exploring, developing, and optimizing workflows, as well as adapting to new technologies and workflows as necessary. Salary Range $43,000 Working Conditions Typical Office Environment Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT curre