What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Editor II position at SFMOMA?
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter, and are aligned with our values.
Inclusive: We know we make the greatest impact when a full range of voices is represented.
Passionate: We believe art and the creative process can open our minds to help us build a better world.
Brave: We nurture a responsive, action-oriented atmosphere fueled by curiosity and innovation.
Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution, and forge authentic relationships with our community.
SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and everyone is appreciated for their whole self.
Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week
The Assistant Editor II edits and project manages in-gallery interpretive texts and object labels, as well as digital content on the museum’s collection. The Assistant Editor II also assists in all phases of the production of publications such as exhibition catalogues and collection books under the direction of department managers.
In this role, the Assistant Editor II:
- Reports to the Director of Publications
- Plays a crucial role in shaping/enhancing visitor experience by supporting the production of compelling, accurate, and engaging in-gallery texts. Bolsters the publications team's efforts to document and provide context for exhibitions and the museum’s collection, showcase the scholarship of our curators, and aim to reach a wide range of readers.
- Represents Publications at interdepartmental project meetings and works closely with other Publications editors as well as curators, graphic designers, and colleagues in Exhibitions and Project Management to ensure that institutional standards for content, editing, and design are maintained within in-gallery materials. Develops and circulates schedules as assigned and ensure that the signage process, from editing through production, stays on track. Troubleshoots and implements solutions in consultation with other Publications editors and colleagues in the Design Studio and Exhibition and Project Management as needed.
In the first year of work in this position, key milestones will be:
o By 30 days: establish understanding of key Publications projects, roles, and procedures and contribute to projects as assigned; begin developing departmental, cross-departmental, and cross-divisional relationships necessary for collaborative work.
o By the first quarter: contribute to an increased number, scale, and variety of projects with increased project-management responsibility while continuing to develop collaborative approach to projects.
o By one year: demonstrate increasing acumen with editorial and project-management skills, including increased ability to work independently and problem-solve proactively on multiple simultaneous projects; contribute to refining departmental and cross-departmental workflows; and deepen key professional collaborations.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Undertake the editing of in-gallery interpretive materials as assigned.
- Undertake the development, editing, and proofreading of text content to be published via digital signage, mobile platforms, and sfmoma.org.
- In consultation with department managers, undertake and/or coordinate the editing and production of small-scale publications, developing increasing skill in managing such projects independently. Work proactively to ensure assigned projects meet schedule, budget, quality, and content requirements. Take the lead in developing schedules for these projects and coordinate the work of any freelancers hired to work on them, including graphic designers, editors, translators, and photographers. Work closely with printing and production vendors to keep them abreast of scheduling and production changes.
- Provide a wide range of production and editorial support for the books and digital publications the department produces, helping department managers to meet schedule, budget, quality, and content requirements.
- Obtain reproductions and permissions for inclusion in museum publications: researching and contacting copyright holders and image providers, arranging photo shoots both on- and off-site, scanning/reformatting/trafficking images, maintaining related spreadsheets and paperwork, and processing invoices.
- Working within established editorial and production schedules, help coordinate the work of freelancers and external vendors hired to work on a given project, including authors, graphic designers, printers, editors, translators, and photographers.
- Provide editorial support by formatting manuscripts and citations, creating and numbering captions, proofreading galleys and bluelines, fact-checking texts, compiling bibliographies and photo credits, or other duties as assigned.
- Obtain LCN and register copyright for books as assigned. Obtain ISBN numbers and barcodes.
- Receive and distribute completed books. Solicit and fulfill orders from other Museum departments, artists, and/or collectors. As required, assist with customs passage, local delivery, and quality control of publications. Maintain backlist archive and spreadsheet of publications inventory.
- Obtain final design files and hi-res image files from printer. Create master archive and set of PDFs for each publication. Extract and reformat text from files as needed.
- Assume primary responsibility for maintaining house editorial style guide and other guidelines, coordinating annual updates with staff in Publications, Curatorial, Conservation, and Collections Information and Access.
- Provide general organizational and administrative support for the Publications Department, including mail retrieval, preparation and delivery of packages (for mailing and overnight delivery), creation and distribution of printouts, digital and analog file organization, ordering of supplies, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Art History, English, Journalism, or related subject, with specific coursework in modern and contemporary art desirable.
- A minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience, including copyediting, proofreading, and project management.
- Strong organizational, communication, writing, editorial, and project management skills.
- Familiarity with modern and contemporary art history and art terminology.
- Working knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and InDesign) and HTML a plus.
- Proven ability to set priorities, deal effectively and tactfully with artists and Museum staff, maintain accuracy while meeting deadlines, and juggle a variety of projects simultaneously.
- Competence in at least one foreign language desirable.
Working Conditions
- Must be able to visually inspect work and generate own work on computer.
- Must be able to lift boxes weighing approximately 30 pounds.
$33.15/hour (starting); $39.78/hour (position)
This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Job posting open date: 7/12/23
All jobs posted will remain open for at least ten business days.
We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period.
Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.
COVID-19 Environmental Factors: In keeping with city, county, and state regulations regarding large gatherings, and to contain the spread of coronavirus, the museum is following the city of San Francisco guidelines. As a part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccination is required for all current and newly hired employees and contractors.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or with providing additional information asked in the job posting. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.
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