Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and directs the production process of books produced by the Harvard Art Museums. Lays out and directs the production of gallery texts (wall labels, wall text, illustrative materials, such as maps). Completes various other signage and collateral projects assigned by the Design Manager, from design to delivery.

• Makes vendor selections from an established list of vendors. Assesses the project’s needs and determines optimal vendor partnerships for successful outcomes. Continually evaluates vendors for quality of work against established project specifications, adherence to schedules, and cost containment. Recommends changes, both to end relationships with ineffective vendors and to introduce new vendors.

• Obtains quotes and schedules from vendors (primarily printers and typesetters).

• Checks quotes against budgets. Gains approval of selected quote(s) from Design Manager. Submits Major Expenditure Forms as needed, following standard procedures. Monitors and tracks projects to ensure adherence to schedule and budget; makes recommendations for any adjustments. Gathers, reviews, prepares, and submits all related invoices, ensuring that invoices are consistent with quotes.

• Prepares materials for submission to vendors. Provides image file-naming instructions to internal clients. Obtains image files and checks for quality.

• Delivers prepared materials to vendor. Ensures that vendors have all necessary materials and instructions to be able to deliver products according to specifications, on time, and on budget.

• Reviews and route proofs. Arranges delivery, reviews, and routes multiple rounds of image proofs, as needed. Implements approved changes and gets final approvals from stakeholders and the Design Manager, as appropriate. Reviews final product for quality, consulting with colleagues as appropriate.

• Maintains communication with museums’ stakeholders. Coordinates flow of information between vendors and stakeholders, as needed.

• Coordinates shipping logistics for finished books and text products, whether domestic or international.

• Delivers electronic files to archives.

• For gallery texts: Working with colleagues in Editorial and Collections Management, sets schedule for production and installation of materials. Typesets all gallery text according to museum standards. Oversees installation by the vendor.

Other related responsibilities:

• Orders stationery and business cards when requested by museum colleagues, in consultation with Human Resources and Facilities.

• For independent contractors, works with Human Resources and Finance to prepare, submit and process the necessary paperwork, according to Harvard policy.

• Other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

• College degree in Graphic Design plus one year of related work experience or a minimum of 5 years of related experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Must have extensive knowledge of Mac-based platforms and work in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects and set effective priorities, within a design framework, under pressure in a fast-paced work environment. Proven effective relationship-building and interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, while being a collaborative team member.

Additional Information:

Candidates must present a portfolio that reveals a range of work showing expertise and skill in typography, layout, and print production. Work should show strong thinking and execution. Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and include a URL of their work as part of their application.