Production Designer

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)

Department/Organization: 219801 - University Press

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: The Production Designer oversees the design of covers, jackets, and interiors of books. Assigns projects through the editorial and production processes. Researches cover art applying knowledge of design, technical specifications, and copyright restrictions. Creates, maintains, and archives electronic files for works assigned.

Additional Department Summary: The Production and Design department is responsible for the design and typesetting of book covers and interiors that meet the press’s budgetary, quality, and scheduling requirements, performing these tasks internally or using external services. The Production and Design department maintains a network of relationships with printers and is responsible for preparing and submitting book print-ready files that meet the specifications and schedules of printers. The department also converts print-ready files to multiple ebook formats defined by ebook distributors. The department manages purchase orders and invoices with printers and related service providers, communicates delivery needs and considerations, and resolves or negotiates the resolution of problems or conflicts. The department stays aware of current UA design standards and requirements to ensure that UA Press works as much as possible within those requirements. The work of the department must enhance UA Press works and materials, accurately and artfully complementing the structure of the work, including its illustrations, maps, and figures, in a way that is professional, legible, and attractive to the readers for which the book is intended. All design must meet high standards of international contemporary book design and typography.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in art, graphic design, communications, or english and two (2) years of typesetting or book text and/or jacket design experience; OR master's degree in art, graphic design, communications, or english and some typesetting or book text and/or jacket design experience.

Skills and Knowledge: Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, especially InDesign (including the use of Styles), Photoshop, Bridge, and Illustrator. Experience designing, typesetting, and overseeing the production of books, magazines, or other periodicals that include not only text but also charts, tables, and figures designed to be legible and attractive by a wide audience. Experience working with offset and digital printers, both domestic and overseas. Knowledge of typographic standards that optimize legibility. Ability to deal knowledgeably with design, compositing, and printing vendors. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects on time. Keen attention to details. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Excellent analytical, mathematical, critical thinking, project management, and problem resolution skills. Familiarity with professional word-processing and spreadsheet applications such as Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications: Five years' experience in the design and typesetting of books, magazines, or other periodicals. Some experience using database management software, such as Filemaker or similar applications.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases.