UDP is seeking applications for the job of Production Manager.
Ugly Duckling Presse—a nonprofit publisher of poetry, translation, essay, performance, and art—is seeking to hire a part-time Production Manager to start in February 2022. The position is three days (24 hours) a week at $23.50 per hour. This is currently the pay-rate for all UDP staff. The deadline to apply is midnight EST on Sunday, January 23, 2022, and the position will remain open until filled.
This position is central to UDP operations, and to fulfilling its mission. The Production Manager is the point person for the Editorial Collective in guiding books to print, managing the production of about 25 book projects annually as well as periodic reprints, and liaising with printers and merchants. They maintain UDP’s editorial and design standards, working with editors, apprentices, and volunteer proofreaders to ensure the quality of UDP editions. The PM also organizes volunteer work for hand-assembly, tracks production expenses and budgets, and manages UDP’s free online resources (the Online Chapbook Archive and Digital Proofs Program) as well as the digital and physical archives of UDP editions. Along with three others in the Working Collective, the PM works with apprentices, attends weekly planning meetings, meets quarterly with the Board of Directors, and helps take care of the studio.
The PM needs to be able to work collaboratively with the working collective and apprentices, while also being self-directed and organizing their own time and priorities. A careful editorial eye, knack for information tracking, significant attention to detail, and good time management and communication skills are needed for this position. Experience with InDesign and Adobe programs is strongly preferred. Knowledge of letterpress printing and bookbinding is a plus.
Key Responsibilities
* work with volunteer editorial collective members to finalize production on book projects and determine best feasibility on all production-related processes, from printing methods and timeline management, to budgeting and shipping
* source supplies and producers and maintain vendor relationships
* maintain digital and physical archives of UDP projects
* oversee and support apprentice work
* manage budget and expenses for production-related costs
* work collaboratively with other staff members to keep space organized & on group efforts as they arise
* oversee occasional volunteer presse days for bookbinding, typesetting, and more
* (if possessing these skills): letterpress print covers, flyleaves, ephemera, fundraising, etc.
Qualifications
* 2+ years of relevant production or project management experience, with prior knowledge of printing methods preferred
* Excellent communication and time-management skills
* Highly detail-oriented
* Passion for poetry and small press publishing preferred
* Demonstrated openness to working collaboratively
* Experience with letterpress and bookbinding preferred
This is an in-person position. Work authorization in the US is required. UDP is located at the Old American Can Factory, 232 Third St., Brooklyn NY 11215. The building is ADA accessible with prior arrangement.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of two references in one pdf by midnight EST on Sunday, January 23, 2022 to: office@uglyducklingpresse.org. We expect to conduct interviews in early February 2022.
Ugly Duckling Presse is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Ugly Duckling Presse is committed to building a culturally diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from women, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled people, and candidates of color.