Production Controller

Nick Hern Books (NHB) - the UK's leading specialist theatre publisher and performing rights agents - is seeking a highly organised, detail-oriented Production Controller to oversee the production process of our new titles and ensure the ongoing availability of our backlist.

If you have existing production experience and are seeking a new challenge or the next step in your career, this is an exciting opportunity to join a small, dedicated team at a vibrant and dynamic independent publishing house which sits at the heart of the UK theatre industry.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In this pivotal role, you'll have responsibility for managing the production process of all our new titles - including playscripts published alongside their professional stage productions around the UK and Ireland, and practical guides on theatre and performance. You'll work directly with many of the leading authors and companies in contemporary theatre, as well as collaborating internally across all departments.

You'll guide each publication from manuscript through to finished book, in print and electronic formats - and ensure each is produced to the highest standards, delivered on schedule and kept in stock.

You will:

• Coordinate the day-to-day production of new titles, including devising and ensuring adherence to schedules, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders including authors, theatres and producers, in-house editors and designers, and freelancers
• Prepare and check files for press, ensuring accuracy and quality, including some typesetting and proofreading where required
• Maintain production records and schedules, keeping internal teams updated on progress
• Handle and develop relationships with printers and suppliers, sourcing and supplying quotes, submitting print orders, and checking and approving invoices
• Liaise with our warehouse and distribution partners, and customers including theatres, venues and the book trade as required
• Oversee ebook creation and quality control, and the supply of files to distributors and other online platforms
• Ensure titles are uploaded accurately to internal systems and metadata feeds
• Help with permissions, rights and archiving where needed

You'll also oversee a busy programme of reprints, liaising with other internal departments and analysing sales reports and other data to keep our extensive backlist in stock and available as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We're looking for a candidate with proven experience with book production, publishing processing or print manufacturing, who is ready to develop and manage these processes themselves.

You will be:

• Highly organised and methodical, able to manage multiple competing projects, tasks and deadlines
• Attentive to detail with strong proofreading and file-checking skills
• Comfortable using publishing software such as InDesign or Quark, as well as Microsoft Office
• Able to work to extremely tight deadlines and in a fast-paced environment
• Flexible with a can-do attitude, able to take the initiative and to adapt quickly
• A clear and confident communicator, both in writing and in person
• Confident interpreting and analysing financial and other numerical data, and using this to guide decisions
• A team player who is comfortable working in a tight-knit, collaborative environment

Given the specialist nature of our publishing, a passion for and good knowledge of contemporary UK theatre would also be useful.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Term of Employment: Full time, permanent position.

Place of Work: At the NHB office in Shepherd's Bush, West London (some hybrid working may be possible by mutual agreement).

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: £38,000 per annum, payable monthly on 25th of each month.

Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., including a one-hour lunch break, Monday to Friday.

Holidays: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown.

Trial Period: Three-month trial period.

Notice: One month during trial period, two months thereafter.

Benefits following Trial Period:

Pension: Auto-enrolment in company pension scheme, with 10% employer contribution.

Travel: Travel season ticket loan

Expenses: Theatre tickets, and other relevant expenses.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV (not more than two pages) and a covering letter about yourself (not more than one page) by email to Matt Applewhite at . We want to hear why you'd be great for this role - so make sure to include any past experience and knowledge that align with the job description and person specification (with reference to specific examples where appropriate).

Applications must be with us by noon BST on Monday 7 July at the latest, with interviews conducted during the week commencing Monday 14 July.

We will reply to all candidates via email within two weeks of the deadline for applications, regardless of whether you've been shortlisted or not.

Please note that all candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

ACCESS

Access support is available for all applications, including submitting your application in alternative formats. If, for access requirements, you'd prefer to meet one of our team or talk through these guidelines, please contact .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Nick Hern Books is an equal opportunities employer, and actively encourages applications from groups currently under-represented in the theatre and publishing sectors, irrespective of gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or age. This applies whether in relation to terms of employment, conditions of service or opportunities for training. Individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities, and no one is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable.

ABOUT NICK HERN BOOKS

Nick Hern Books is the UK's leading specialist theatre publisher.

We're home to many of the best playwrights working today - including Annie Baker, Mike Bartlett, Chris Bush, Jez Butterworth, Caryl Churchill, debbie tucker green, Ella Hickson, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Lucy Kirkwood, Tony Kushner, Conor McPherson, Lynn Nottage, Winsome Pinnock, Jack Thorne, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Enda Walsh - as well as essential training and advice books on topics such as acting, writing, directing and producing, to support creatives in their own work and career.

We also license most of our plays for amateur performance by schools, community groups, youth theatres and others around the world.