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Publishing Operations Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sourcebooks

Senior Production Editor

Naperville, IL · On-site

Sourcebooks is seeking a Senior Production Editor to join our Adult Publishing Operations team. This is more than a production role--it's an opportunity to serve as a strategic leader who drives ...

Sourcebooks LLC

Senior Production Editor

Naperville, IL · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

Sourcebooks is seeking a Senior Production Editor to join our Adult Publishing Operations team. This is more than a production role-it's an opportunity to serve as a strategic leader who drives ...

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Publishing Operations information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$19

$29

How much do publishing operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for publishing operations in Illinois is $19.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $21.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is publishing operations?

Publishing Operations refers to the processes and teams responsible for managing the production, distribution, and delivery of content in publishing companies. This includes coordinating editorial workflows, overseeing printing or digital publication, managing schedules, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Professionals in this area work to streamline operations, optimize workflow efficiency, and support the successful release of books, articles, or other media. They often collaborate with editorial, marketing, and sales teams to ensure content reaches audiences smoothly and on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a publishing operations professional?

To thrive in Publishing Operations, you need strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills, often supported by a degree in publishing, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), digital publishing platforms, and workflow automation tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are standout soft skills for coordinating teams and ensuring quality. These skills are crucial to efficiently manage publishing schedules, maintain accuracy, and deliver content on time in a fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced in a publishing operations role, and how can they be addressed?

A key challenge in Publishing Operations is coordinating between multiple teams—such as editorial, production, and marketing—to ensure smooth workflow and timely publication. Meeting tight deadlines while maintaining quality standards often requires strong organizational skills and proactive problem-solving. Additionally, adapting to rapidly evolving digital publishing technologies can be demanding, but ongoing training and collaboration help keep processes efficient. Building clear communication channels and regularly reviewing procedures can greatly improve outcomes.

What is the difference between Publishing Operations vs Editorial Assistant?

AspectPublishing OperationsEditorial Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in publishing, communications, or related fieldUsually a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or related field
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, print and digital media companies, publishing departmentsEditorial offices, publishing houses, media companies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across publishing industry for managing production workflowsCommonly used in editorial departments for supporting content creation

Publishing Operations focuses on managing the production, workflow, and logistics of publishing projects, ensuring timely delivery. Editorial Assistants support content development, editing, and research tasks. While both roles are integral to publishing, Publishing Operations handles the process management, whereas Editorial Assistants focus on content support and editing tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois?

For Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Publishing Operations jobs in Illinois are:

Publishing Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Publishing Operations job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,945 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Senior Production Editor

Sourcebooks

Naperville, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Help bring extraordinary books to life.
If you're an experienced publishing professional who thrives on managing complex projects, solving challenging production puzzles, and collaborating across departments to deliver exceptional books, we'd love to meet you.
Sourcebooks is seeking a Senior Production Editor to join our Adult Publishing Operations team. This is more than a production role—it's an opportunity to serve as a strategic leader who drives quality, mentors teammates, improves workflows, and helps shape how books move from manuscript to finished product.
You'll manage a diverse list of frontlist and backlist titles for high-profile authors while partnering with Editorial, Design, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and freelance editorial partners to ensure every project meets our standards for quality, accuracy, and schedule.
Whether you're navigating a complex production schedule, mentoring newer team members, or identifying smarter ways to work, you'll play an essential role in helping our books—and our people—succeed.
This an exempt, salaried position with a pay range of $62,000-$66,500.  We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.   
The location for this position can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
What you’ll do:
 
  • Lead the editorial production of complex and high-profile publishing projects from manuscript through final files.
  • Manage production schedules, priorities, and critical milestones to ensure books are delivered on time and at the highest quality.
  • Coordinate copyediting, proofreading, page review, corrections, approvals, and final production readiness.
  • Partner with the Freelance Resource Manager to secure and oversee editorial vendors while maintaining quality standards.
  • Manage Advance Reader Copy (ARC) production to support Marketing and Sales deadlines.
  • Collaborate closely with Editorial, Design, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales, and other stakeholders to resolve production challenges and keep projects moving forward.
  • Perform final quality assurance reviews before files are released to manufacturing and digital distribution.
  • Identify opportunities to improve workflows, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency across the department.
  • Mentor Production Editors by sharing best practices, providing guidance, and supporting onboarding and training efforts.
  • Contribute to cross-functional planning discussions and help develop scalable publishing operations.

What you bring:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and publishing experience.
  • 8+ years of experience in publishing operations, production editorial, or a related publishing discipline.
  • Demonstrated success managing multiple complex publishing projects simultaneously while consistently meeting deadlines.
  • Deep understanding of editorial production workflows, including copyediting, proofreading, page composition, quality assurance, and manufacturing readiness.
  • Exceptional organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external vendors.
  • Experience mentoring colleagues and contributing to team development.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat; experience with publishing workflow and project management systems is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Smartsheet and Basecamp a plus.
  • A continuous improvement mindset and enthusiasm for learning new technologies, workflows, and publishing best practices.
Why Sourcebooks?
Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial publisher driven by our mission to change lives through books. The fifth-largest publisher in the U.S. by print units sold, we bring extraordinary authors to readers in dynamic, data-driven ways, leading to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Our insight-driven approach has earned us recognition from Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company, a Best Workplace for Innovators, a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek, a Best Workplace by Inc., and Publishers Weekly’s nod as “the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century.” Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives.  Join us as we change 300 million more!  
Ready to Apply:
Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity — we’re looking for someone who’s as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!
Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription Drug Insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, 401(k), Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, and generous paid time off.
Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
 

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