Associate Publishing Manager (Remote - Detroit, MI)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

This is a fully remote position; however, due to operational requirements, candidates must reside within the state of Michigan. 

About Mission Point Press

Mission Point Press is a growing hybrid publishing company dedicated to producing exceptional books while providing authors with comprehensive support throughout the publishing journey. We combine professional publishing expertise with a personalized author experience, helping writers bring their stories and ideas to life.

As a collaborative and entrepreneurial organization, we value creativity, accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to wear multiple hats in support of our authors and our mission.

About the Opportunity 

Mission Point Press is seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Associate Publishing Manager to serve as a key partner to leadership in overseeing day-to-day publishing operations, team management, and workflow. This is a hands-on role focused on keeping people, projects, processes, and priorities organized and moving forward.

The Associate Publishing Manager will oversee the Production Coordinator, Project Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, and Editorial Project Manager/Managing Editor, providing guidance, coaching, and support while working closely with leadership on staff management and performance.

The role will also support administrative needs, project and workflow management, process improvement, problem-solving, and special projects as the company grows. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of publishing, experience working with authors and creative professionals, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the flexibility, judgment, and positive attitude to pitch in wherever needed.

Key Responsibilities

  Operations & Staff Management

• Oversee the day-to-day publishing operations and project workflow of Mission Point Press.
• Maintain visibility into active publishing projects and identify projects or issues requiring management attention.
• Coordinate workflows across editorial, design, production, project management, and marketing.
• Ensure departments and staff are communicating effectively, and projects are moving efficiently between stages.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, communication gaps, and operational challenges.
• Develop and implement practical process and system improvements.
• Help establish priorities and ensure deadlines and client commitments are being met.
• Monitor workloads and help allocate staff and contractor resources appropriately.
• Oversee a small team, establishing clear expectations and accountability. 
• Provide coaching and guidance to team members, conduct regular staff check-ins, and address any workflow concerns. 
• Assist with establishing performance goals and expectations and conducting performance reviews. 

Publishing & Project Oversight

• Maintain a working knowledge of the complete publishing process from manuscript intake through editing, design, production, publication, distribution, and marketing.
• Understand the responsibilities and workflows of each department well enough to effectively manage and coordinate staff.
• Provide insight when projects encounter workflow, scheduling, communication, quality, or client-service issues.
• Ensure appropriate handoffs occur between editorial, design, production, and marketing.
• Identify areas where publishing workflows can be improved.
• Help maintain consistent company standards and quality across projects.
• Provide practical solutions when a project falls behind schedule or encounters unexpected challenges.

Author Relations & Client Support

• Conduct check-ins with authors regarding the progress of their books and their overall publishing experience.
• Follow up with authors at appropriate stages of production.
• Serve as a senior point of contact when an author needs additional support.
• Step into projects when authors need additional communication, guidance, or reassurance.
• Help resolve author concerns before they escalate.
• Handle difficult or sensitive client conversations professionally.
• Work with staff to develop solutions when projects experience delays, misunderstandings, production issues, or other challenges.
• Help put out fires when an author or project requires management-level attention.
• Balance excellent client service with company processes, schedules, contracts, and business needs.
• Help maintain strong, long-term relationships with Mission Point Press authors.
• Ensure client communications, author interactions, and publishing services appropriately represent the Mission Point Press brand.

Financial, Invoicing & Administrative Support

• Assist with invoicing and ensure project and service invoices are issued and tracked appropriately.
• Support invoicing for marketing services and additional author services.
• Work with leadership and staff regarding outstanding invoices, upcoming expenses, vendor payments, and other financial matters.
• Help monitor project expenses and profitability.
• Assist with administrative tasks for the Publisher as needed.
• Help organize information, documents, communications, schedules, follow-ups, and other administrative matters.
• Take ownership of routine administrative responsibilities that can be handled on behalf of the Publisher.
• Help ensure important administrative tasks and follow-ups do not fall through the cracks.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support the leadership and the overall success of Mission Point Press.

• Professional book publishing experience is strongly preferred and important to success in this position.
• Strong understanding of publishing workflows, including editorial, design, production, marketing, distribution, and project management.
• Previous management, operations, or team leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple staff members, departments, projects, and priorities.
• Experience conducting or participating in staff performance reviews.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify operational problems and develop practical solutions.
• Understanding of branding and marketing is a plus.
• Comfortable working in a small-business environment where responsibilities extend beyond a narrowly defined job description.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining close communication with leadership and team. 

Mission Point Press is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.