Role Description s5

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Subeditor

Department: Production

Responsible to: Senior subeditor

Hours: 35

Grade: F

London weighting: Outer

Location: The Heights, Harrow ______

Overall aims:

1. Subedit RCNi content in Word and in our content management system (CMS) to a high standard and in a timely manner

2. Prepare RCNi content for the external XML and typesetting process, ensuring the content elements are in place and fit for purpose

3. Set up InDesign pages from templates and subedit in InDesign all RCNi pages that are retained in-house to a high standard and in a timely manner. Subedit and cut to fit using the system in place with the off-shore partner

4. Participate actively in improving the quality and efficiency of work on the subs desk

5. Liaise with authors, editors, section editors, web editors, marketing executives and the art desk to resolve queries and keep the workflow on track

Specific aims:

1. Subedit in Word for print and on our CMS for online to a high standard and in a timely manner  Work within pre-prepared Word templates, ensuring the template is being used correctly  Rewrite copy where necessary to improve clarity, adherence to house style, consistency, conciseness and readability  Ensure correct spelling, punctuation and grammar are used  Ensure journalistic and legal integrity of copy  Write headlines, standfirsts, captions and crossheads within prescribed lengths that ‘sell’ the story to the reader  Generate keywords that will assist in disseminating the content widely  Work within deadlines set by the editorial production manager  Follow protocols to publish RCNi copy online  Subedit time-sensitive web copy, such as news, with an eye for detail, clarity and accuracy

2. Prepare RCNi content for the external XML and typesetting process, ensuring the content elements are in place and fit for purpose  Keep up to date with technology and current workflow practices, as directed by the editorial production manager  Check approximate word lengths have been adhered to by editors or section editors, and return copy if they have not  Ensure copy is formatted correctly for the XML process  Check all the elements necessary for the page or spread are present and labelled correctly  Check the elements fit within the chosen template for the page, spread or section, where applicable

3. Subedit in InDesign all RCNi pages that are retained in-house/subedit and fit using the system offered by the typesetter in a timely manner  Set up InDesign pages from templates for the art desk to design  Subedit copy in InDesign to fit, write headlines, standfirsts, captions and crossheads  Subedit and fit content and adjust layouts on the tool provided by typesetter

4. Participate actively in improving quality and efficiency of work on the subs desk  Engage constructively in a regular feedback process with the senior sub- editor in identifying areas of work that need improvement and make ongoing efforts to address these areas  Engage the in house workflow system to prioritise work  Identify problem areas in the production workflow process and take a proactive approach to generating solutions  Liaise with production administrator and editorial production manager effectively to communicate workflow matters to improve efficiency and flexibility  Take responsibility for inputting the senior sub-editor’s corrections accurately  Carry out final reads on copy as directed by the senior sub-editor

5. Liaise with authors, editors, section editors and the art desk to resolve queries and keep the workflow on track  Discuss corrections with authors that take account of their expertise but remain within the style and ethos of RCNi  Liaise with section editors and editors about any problems identified in the copy or packages supplied and work proactively to resolve the problems  Assess pages returned by external typesetter for design integrity and suitability; liaise with art desk or section editors to resolve problems if pages are unsuitable  Keep up to date with flat plan changes

6. Other  Occasionally cover activity of the senior sub-editor as and when necessary  Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as directed by the senior sub-editor  RCNi strives to provide equality of opportunity and the post holder should be sensitive of this organisational objective at all times when carrying out their duties

(Revised November 2015)