Senior Development Editor

Join us in our mission to bring the world to the classroom and the classroom to life. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic product team, developing English language teaching and learning content from pre-school to adult with the awe-inspiring authentic National Geographic and TED content. We’re currently seeking to recruit an experienced and dynamic Senior Development Editor; this is a full-time permanent role.

The right candidate for this role must be degree educated (or equivalent), have solid experience working within textbook publishing, and demonstrable content and copy writing skills. Ideally you will have a recognized English language teaching qualification and direct teaching experience.

Applications close date:

Sunday 16th June 2024

Job Title:

Senior Development EditornBusiness Unit:

NGL Global EditorialnDepartment:

NGL PublishingnReporting to:

Managing Development EditornLine Reports:

NonenBased:

Hybrid, 2 to 10 days per month in Andover, Hampshire officenDate last reviewed:

May 2024

Purpose:

As a Senior Development Editor on the NGL Global ELT Publishing team, you will work on all aspects of the development of multi-level, multi-component programmes, in multiple delivery formats. You will participate in research and planning with the goal of meeting the needs of the customer and strengthening National Geographic Learning’s impact in the marketplace. The successful candidate will exhibit educational subject-matter expertise, familiarity with classroom practices, awareness of educational trends in the competitive marketplace, and will be able to apply these to define new products/components and to contribute innovative, customer-centred ideas to programme plans. You will also demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that our products meet NGL standards for quality, creativity, authenticity and market/customer expectations while being produced and delivered on schedule and within budget.

Key Accountabilities:

Product development

Contribute to conceptualizing new product proposals that support effective teaching and learning, represent NGL brand values, address customer needs and reflect up-to-date quality educational research.nEdit content of course components at all stages of their development. Apply understanding of language pedagogy to make content decisions.nCreate, communicate, and monitor schedules, managing complex interdependences across multiple components and/or levels to meet agreed delivery dates.nCollaborate with the Digital team to develop specifications, schedule, brief and budget for digital components from product conception and throughout development to review content, monitor quality and ensure timely delivery.nCommission, brief and monitor quality of work of external contributors including authors, freelance editors and audio-visual suppliers.nDevelop authors and freelancers through clear and comprehensive briefs and consistent, constructive feedback.nCollaborate with cross-departmental project teams fostering positive relationships and effective communication.nTrack and report on project budgets throughout the development process to ensure delivery within allocated budget.nCollaborate with the Operations and Rights teams to ensure protocols are followed and rights are cleared correctly.nAnticipate process and development issues and troubleshoot.

Market Engagement

Understand target user group throughout the product development process to inform own editorial decisions and guide those of freelance collaborators.nActively maintain own knowledge of competitor product offer through desk research, event attendance and customer engagement.nPlan, design, and conduct market research virtually and in person to inform product concept and development, ensuring customers feel their input is valued.nWork with Sales and Marketing colleagues to engage key accounts during development that will improve the product and facilitate more adoptions and achieve greater sales.

Stakeholder Engagement

Brief cross-departmental project teams on product concept, target user groups and plans for integration of National Geographic and/or TED content.nEngage key Sales and Marketing stakeholders during development by presenting at stakeholder readouts and fielding questions to ensure strong sales launch in market, help shape the go-to-market product strategy and anticipate customization needs.nParticipate in marketing and sales strategy and support activities, including training Sales reps at Sales meetings so they are prepared to sell and overcome objections.

Contribution to Staff Development and Continuous Improvement

Contribute to the continuous improvement of editorial workflows and processes on a day-to-day basis and by participating in and/or establishing initiatives for this purpose.nBuild relationships across teams and use available forums to promote the smooth-running of projects and knowledge sharing.nMentor junior team members to develop editorial skills and to guide their progression.

Key Relationships:

Internal:

Global Publishing teams (in Andover, Boston HQ and Singapore); Production & DesignnTeam (in Boston HQ); Digital Team; Global Partnership (Ministry publishing) Team; Global Product Managers (in Boston HQ) and Regional Sales and Marketing teams (EMEA, Latin America, Asia, US & Canada); Global Operations Team; UK Manufacturing Team

External:

Authors, freelance editors, audio studios, industry organisations, publishing and education consultants; global customers (teachers and educational leaders)

Travel Requirements:

This role is office based, but occasional national and international travel will be required to attend meetings, events or conduct product research.

Essential Role Requirements:

B.S. or B.A. degree or equivalentnELT teaching experience or equivalent experiencenRobust textbook publishing experiencenUnderstanding of the principles of English language acquisitionnEnglish language proficiency (C2)nDemonstrable content and copy editing skillsnStrong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skillsnExcellent written and verbal communication skillsnMust be innovative, highly motivated, and team-orientednAbility to handle multiple projects and tasks and meet established deadlinesnNatural curiosity and willingness to learn paired with a desire for continuous improvement

Desirable Role Requirements:

A recognized English language or other teaching qualificationnClassroom teaching experiencenAbility to speak another language, particularly Asian or EuropeannSubject matter expertise in literacy-based approaches and/or international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate

About Cengage GroupnCengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

We believe in the power and joy of learningnAt Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discoverynOur business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programmes, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see

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Equal Opportunity EmployernCengage Group EMEA is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the regions that we operate in and our customers. We do not discriminate based upon race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure, and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Cengage Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures.

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