Production Manager

Production Manager 

Permanent 

Communications 

Union of Concerned Scientists 

Remote  

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our Organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war.  Values informing our work include:

·       Science in the service of people and the planet. 

·       Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. 

·       Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 

·       Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 

·       Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions. 

·       Action that inspires and mobilizes people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

UCS’s Communications Program

The Production Manager coordinates the scheduling, workflow, and logistics for the production of program, campaign, and fundraising materials across print and digital channels. Working within editorial direction set by the Editorial Director, this role ensures publication projects move efficiently from approved drafts through copyediting, design, translation, and final preparation for dissemination. 

The Production Manager manages production timelines, routes materials through required review stages, coordinates internal staff and external vendors, and tracks deliverables to ensure projects are completed on time and align with UCS editorial, branding, accessibility, and process standards. This role supports a collaborative editorial production workflow that includes editorial, copyediting, design, translation, and production functions.

UCS employees center all their work on UCS’s core values of racial equity and environmental justice. They work collaboratively to ensure the effective operations of the program/department, center anti-racism and equity in internal and external work, and foster a welcoming, inclusive, and transparent environment where all staff can thrive and grow.

Responsibilities

Publications Workflow & Coordination

·       Serves as the primary point of contact for program, Communications, and Development staff regarding publication of project timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

·       Advises project teams on publication formats and appropriate dissemination channels based on project goals, timelines, and production considerations.

·       Develops and maintains publication production schedules in coordination with project leads and the Editorial Director; tracks progress and adjusts timelines as needed; conducts regular progress check-ins with project teams and cross-channel leads; and updates departmental calendars to reflect current timelines.

·       Coordinates and assigns writing, copyediting, translation, design, and layout tasks to staff or freelancers, and ensures required materials are delivered on schedule.

·       Coordinates with project teams and Communications staff to identify artwork needs (e.g., figures, tables, photos); obtains final texts, datasets, and visual assets needed for publication production; and ensures required visual assets are produced and delivered on schedule.

·       Finalizes projects for dissemination by confirming all required steps have been completed prior to release.

Production Processes & Standards

·       Coordinates review cycles through required editorial, programmatic, accessibility, and leadership approvals; confirms that copyediting and technical reviews have been completed prior to final production; flags process, accessibility, branding, or standards issues and routes materials back for correction when needed.

·       Consults with program or Communications staff to verify technical accuracy, alignment with messaging, and compliance with UCS editorial and branding standards as needed.

·       Provides orientation and guidance to project managers and authors on publication production processes, requirements, and timelines.

·       Maintains and updates internal publication production guidance and documentation, and collaborates with the Editorial Director on continuous improvement of production processes.

Production Resources

·       Coordinates with freelance editors, translators, designers, and print vendors to support publication production.

·       Requests printer bids, assists staff in determining print and reprint needs, and coordinates printing with vendors.

·       Coordinates mailing logistics, and, as needed, ensures donor mailing lists and print files are prepared and delivered accurately and on schedule

·       Drafts and maintains contracts with production-related vendors and submits invoices for payment.

·       Monitors vendor and freelance expenses to support adherence to approved budgets.

·       Researches and prepares annual budget projections for publication production, including member magazine, annual report, and other Development materials, as needed.

Other Duties As Assigned

·       As needed and within capacity, provides limited writing, copyediting, proofreading, or layout/design support for program publications or Development materials.

·       Maintains familiarity with UCS issues, positions, and publication priorities.

·       Maintains awareness of role as representative of UCS; ensures activities and statements enhance organization’s reputation, credibility, and funding objectives.

People Management Authority
None; may coordinate with freelance vendors and contractors as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

·       At least five years of relevant experience in publications management, production coordination, or related roles.

·       Superior project management and collaboration skills, demonstrated experience coordinating complex projects with multiple stakeholders, including subject matter experts and vendors, and a proven ability to collaborate across functions.

·       Excellent organizational, scheduling, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

·       Must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and the interpersonal skills to solve problems in a collegial manner.

·       Strong communication skills. Position requires knowledge of grammar and usage, editing and proofreading standards, and attention to detail. Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style is recommended.

·       Familiarity with publication production processes, accessibility standards, editorial workflows, or experience with scientific or technical materials.

·       Position requires fluency in English; fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Preferred   

·       Bachelor’s degree preferred. At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

·       Good meeting facilitation skills with the ability to present training materials and orient authors to publication processes.

·       Experience with Microsoft Word, SharePoint, Office 365, and project management tools (e.g., Monday.com); familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud (Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) and content management systems (e.g., Drupal, Mediagraph) is recommended.

Physical Requirements

·       Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.

·       Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.

·       Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.

Work Schedule

40 hours a week, M-F; may need to flex schedule on occasion to meet deadlines when necessary.

Travel Requirements

May be expected to travel once or twice a year for departmental/organizational functions.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. We’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $109,232.02. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

More About the Team

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply

We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires

For in-office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline

Until filled.