Staff Positions

Director of Editorial, Design, and Production

Job Summary
The University of South Carolina Press, located in Columbia at the state’s flagship university, seeks a Director of Editorial, Design, and Production. The EDP Director is a key member of the leadership team of the Press, responsible for coordinating the publication of 40 new print and digital books each year, as well as managing reprints of our backlist of 1,500 titles. The EDP Director will work with outside vendors and freelancers in addition to managing a staff of two and coordinating closely with Marketing & Sales as well as Acquisitions. The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership and collegiality, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and a track record of growth and innovation.

The University of South Carolina Press, founded in 1944, is a member of the Association of University Presses and publishes 40 new books each year. Areas of publishing strength include Southern history, literary studies, rhetoric and communication, regional studies, Jewish studies, and African American studies. USC Press has just launched its open access initiative, Open Carolina, and the Press is poised to diversify and expand its publishing portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree and 1 year professional experience related to the development and dissemination of informational material, or Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience.

Preferred Qualifications
Professional experience in book manufacturing, including composition, graphic design, and printing.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to prepare specifications for typesetters and printers.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge in design software (QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat) required.
• Knowledge of materials used in book manufacturing process preferred.
• Knowledge of University and State purchasing and accounting regulations preferred.
• Ability to prepare and maintain budgets required; and knowledge of spreadsheet and database software preferred, as is willingness to learn related software programs.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with vendors, authors, Press staff, interns, and freelancers required.
• Management experience required.

Salary Range: $56,744- $62,000

To Apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and references via the USC jobs portal: uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/144716 by June 23, 2023.

Publishing Assistant

Job Summary
The University of South Carolina Press, located in Columbia at the state’s flagship university, seeks a Publishing Assistant. This role offers the opportunity to support colleagues in every department and gain insight into all stages of the publishing process. Responsibilities include creating and circulating contracts, coordinating permissions and copyright, assisting with royalties, liaising with HR, managing the Press office, and communicating with the Press Committee and authors. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative and collegiality as well as a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

The University of South Carolina Press, founded in 1944, is a member of the Association of University Presses and publishes 40 new books each year. Areas of publishing strength include Southern history, literary studies, rhetoric and communication, regional studies, Jewish studies, and African American studies. USC Press has just launched its open access initiative, Open Carolina, and the Press is poised to diversify and expand its publishing portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience in business management, public administration, or administrative services; or equivalency.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in publishing, contracts, and human resources. Excellent verbal and written communications skills, organizational skills, and the ability to establish priorities and manage concurrent tasks are required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Proficient with personal computers have a working knowledge of the following software applications: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, PeopleSoft, PeopleAdmin, and FileMaker Pro (or an equivalent database software).

Salary Range: $35,360- $39,000

To Apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and references via the USC jobs portal: uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/144713 by June 23, 2023.

Student Internships

The University of South Carolina Press offers unpaid internships in acquisitions, editorial, marketing and sales. Each internship will offer exposure to and potential integration with other USC Press departments. Interns will gain insight into the publishing process with varied learning opportunities tailored to their specific interests. USC Press internships may be counted for course credit (pending approval by an academic advisor). Interns work about 10 to 12 hours each week. 

Application Deadlines

Internship opportunities are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters and are posted on Handshake during the preceding semester. Applicants are encouraged to apply via Handshake but may also submit cover letters and resumes via email to Lily Stephens, publishing assistant, ls54@mailbox.sc.edu.