Publishing Quality Assurance Lead

About the role

This is an opportunity to make a true impact in a fast-growing, forward-thinking publishing environment that celebrates big ideas, creativity, and team collaboration. Join us in shaping and elevating the reading experience!

Responsibilities

• Lead the quality assurance process for production files, rigorously checking all details before they go to press.
• Manage and refine the preflight and file-upload process, ensuring all files meet our production-ready standards.
• Collaborate with production and editorial teams to streamline workflows, implement process improvements, and drive consistency across projects.
• Develop quality assurance protocols and checklists, championing best practices across our production teams.
• Act as a mentor, training team members in quality standards and driving a culture of excellence.
• Partner with project managers and manufacturing teams to track and troubleshoot quality control issues.

Requirements

• 7+ years of quality assurance experience, ideally within the publishing industry or a similar field.
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator) and Vellum on Mac, plus expertise in preflighting tools (Adobe Acrobat, Pitstop).
• Strong understanding of book production processes, file management, digital asset control, and preflight software.
• Familiarity with print-ready file preparation and color management basics (CMYK, ICC profiles).
• Exposure to printer specifications or working directly with book manufacturers.

Qualifications

• Impeccable attention to detail, with a commitment to producing top-quality work.
• A collaborative spirit with excellent communication skills and an ability to build rapport across teams.
• Must love books!

Skills

• Leadership and innovation in quality assurance processes.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits program including Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, and generous paid time off.

Pay

$60,000 - $70,000 annually, determined based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education.

Schedule

The role includes some travel with occasional meetings at the home office in Naperville, IL. The location can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.