Production & Composition Assistant

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 work 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 image files using UT Press naming conventions; adjust and optimize images for printing; collaborate across departments and with authors.
• Book Composition and Typesetting: Use InDesign to typeset books from manuscript to first pages; present sample pages; apply press templates; input page corrections; typeset new material for revised or updated editions; adapt jacket mechanicals to paperback reprints; correct covers and interiors as needed.
• General Responsibilities: Process invoices, create purchase orders, contribute to production plans; pack and ship materials; update business cards and office stationery; train and supervise student employees or fellows; assist with other department functions as assigned.
• Project Management: Create cast‑offs to estimate final page count after typesetting; monitor and update schedules in FileMaker; send books for typesetting based on press templates; present sample page designs; communicate with authors, designers, vendors, and printers in coordination with staff; archive files and submit invoices upon project completion.
• E‑book Management: Manage approximately 25 e‑books annually, including sending materials to conversion vendors and quality‑checking results; archive materials on Box.
• Print‑on‑Demand Processing: Process approximately 65 print‑on‑demand titles per year.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent eye for detail and commitment to producing the highest quality books.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple ongoing projects.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a group.
• Ability to lift a heavy carton of books.
• Will be asked to perform a software test in InDesign and Photoshop during 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 experience.
• Interest in exploring, developing, and optimizing workflows, and adapting to new technologies as necessary.

Salary

Salary Range: $43,000

Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with contact information (at least one reference should be from a supervisor)
• Letter of interest

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 · FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt · Earliest Start Date: Oct 05, 2026 · Position Duration: Expected to Continue · Location: UT Main Campus.