XML Production Manager

Great Minds, a rapidly growing challenger brand in the PK-12 instructional materials space, seeks an experienced XML Production Manager.
 
COMPANY PROFILE

Great Minds, a mission driven Public Benefit Corporation, brings teachers and scholars together to craft exemplary instructional materials that inspire joy in teaching and learning. Our English curriculum, Wit & Wisdom®, Eureka Math™ and PhD Science™, all support teachers as they take students beyond rote learning to provide a deeper, more complete understanding of the humanities, mathematics, and the sciences. Founded in 2007, Great Minds now employs more than 1,000 people.

For additional information please visit: www.greatminds.org

 OUR MARKET POSITION

Great Minds’ Eureka Math is the most widely used curriculum in the history of American education. It enjoys an unrivaled 40+ net promoter score. Eureka and its sister products, Wit & Wisdom English and PhD Science, embrace much higher expectations for all students and all teachers. In a market dominated by scripted, procedural materials that drive expectations down, Great Minds produces curricula that celebrate knowledge, respect the craft of teaching, and acknowledge the true capabilities of students.

Role Overview

The XML Production Manager will report to the Senior Manager, Production Management & Translation, and will be an integral player in moving Great Minds educational products from print to digital via XML. The XML Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the production and quality of XML created by vendors as well as the production of XML in house. The work involves managing multiple complex XML-based projects at the same time across multiple curricula. The manager must understand and be able to manipulate XML code in order to troubleshoot and fix issues and produce well-formed XML documents. This role will work independently and as a member of a diverse group. The Manager will manage a staff and must be able to successfully delegate and manage assigned work. This role will work closely with the Great Minds Platform Team, curricula Product Managers, Digital Product Managers, Production Coordinators, CMS Upload Techs, Project Managers, vendors, and others to ensure the quality and timely execution of XML for multiple programs.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Have a comprehensive understanding of web publishing processes.
• Review XML to identify issues directly in code.
• Ingest XML into a staging environment to identify issues as rendered on the website front end.
• Identify and problem-solve XML issues to arrive at prescriptive code-based solutions.
• Understand how the XML relates to the HTML and CSS into which it gets converted.
• Oversee and maintain proper XML file setup.
• Review feedback from product managers and translate it into clear and actionable feedback for vendors.
• Manage the XML team to oversee the image assets received in the XML process.
• Understand how to map print styles (i.e., InDesign) to XML elements and attributes.
• Understand document type definitions (DTDs) and schemas, and use the Book Interchange Tag Set (BITS) DTD to define the valid elements of XML files.
• Work with team members to use Python and other programming languages to automate bulk changes to XML code.
• Have familiarity with XPath and lxml for processing XML with Python.
• Understand web accessibility fundamentals and how to code XML accordingly to ensure WCAG compliance.
• Establish XML best practices and continuously optimize processes.
• Understand the interdependencies of multiple projects and anticipate when one project will affect another.
• Manage a team of XML Production Leads and Coordinators as needed.
• Set up Smartsheet-based tools for documenting and tracking XML issues.
• Skill in handling communication including around difficult and time sensitive scenarios within and outside of the XML Production team.
• Assist in recruiting interview process.

Project Management

• Understand the scope of the project and each stage of the process, in particular the XML stage.
• Define, document, and communicate the XML processes and timing.
• Manage XML vendors to ensure successful delivery of high-quality XML.
• Understand the interdependencies of multiple projects and anticipate when one project will affect another.
• Keep accurate and complete project records, and update schedules to reflect progress.
• Alert Senior Production Manager, and Director, Production Services, about any change in project scope that has significant potential budget exposure or schedule implications.
• Ensure all project members, including vendors, are adhering to agreed-upon processes.
• Help to establish project SharePoint organization.
• Measure project progress against milestone schedule; recommend actions to ensure schedules stay on task if falling behind.
• Communicate concerns about process or XML file delivery delays to the Program Manager; recommend actions to meet delivery dates.
• Manage and oversee a list of outstanding decisions and unresolved issues.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in educational publishing production
• 5+ years of experience with XML
• Experience managing a team, and providing leadership, guidance, and feedback
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (focus on InDesign), Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to learn new software and processes quickly
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Knowledge and understanding of content accessibility (including WCAG)
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of markup languages (XML, HTML)
• Knowledge of and experience with Smartsheet or similar task management platforms
• Exceptional administrative, time management and organizational skills
• Familiarity with entire publishing process, including directing offshore vendors

Education

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Details: 

Full-time
Location: Remote

Excellent benefits package.

A cover letter and resume are required to be considered for this position.

If selected for an interview, a salary history and background check will be required.

Great Minds is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our policy reflects and affirms the organization’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices

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