Production Controller

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the fastest growing media companies in sport, working on its iconic motorsport magazine portfolio. The role, Production Controller of Autosport, F1 Racing and Motorsport News magazines, is based in our state of the art Richmond office and is a key member of the publishing team.

Working closely with the advertising, editorial and design departments, you will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the magazines are sent to print on time but you will also play a key creative role in developing new projects, coordinating international licensed editions,
negotiating prices, agreeing specifications and schedules with suppliers. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Working with the editorial and advertising teams, to manage the issue requirements through the flatplan, ensuring that we are constructing publications in the most economic fashion.

Owning and maintaining the print order confirmation and distribution documentation for publications 

Copy chasing advertising requirements and liaising with creative agencies for print assets

Processing supplied advertising materials

Uploading print-specific creative into the flatplan workflow tool, ready for supply to our printers

Reviewing briefs to ensure concise details are captured and the full scope of request has been submitted, including specifications and quantities 

Managing creative assets and produce on-going marketing materials: direct mail, brochures, POS, magazines inserts and other ad-hoc promotional material as required from receipt of brief to design layout, copy and approvals 

Delivering regular status updates on projects to completion whilst managing expectations and delivery requirements 

Planning schedules for projects in alignment with production activity

Forecasting any budgetary or resource requirements

Co-ordinating print marketing creative across channels, ensuring this aligns with wider business themes and objectives 

Building strong relationships with internal teams including art, copy, subs, translations to ensure a smooth process 

Working closely with the publishing team to understand all briefs/requirements from marketing assets to maintain a positive approach in delivery 

Skills and Experience: 

This role would suit a production professional who has some proven experience magazine publishing and is looking for the next step, or looking for a more diverse and interesting production role with the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden your production
knowledge.

Proven experience working at Production Controller level or higher within a fast paced magazine publishing, agency or marketing environments is preferred.

Candidates should be comfortable in managing complex print projects from inception to final delivery 

Experience of analysing costs and recommending improvements to budgets preferred

Commercial awareness, aptitude for numbers with experience of collating and analysing costs and providing estimates for creative executions 

Strong time management skills and comfortable meeting tight deadlines 

Excellent planning ability. Able to work to tight deadlines. Able to organise workload to meet conflicting priorities 

Leadership - Ability to forge strong relations with stakeholders at all levels, acting as an ambassador to ensure a professional and customer friendly profile for the department 

Relationship & Influencing - Excellent inter-personal skills. Strong persuasive communicator 

Negotiation skills - confident negotiating at all levels 

Innovation & Creativity - able to think creatively and find innovative solutions to problems 

Proficient in MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Mac and PC-Based 

Desirable Skills: 

High end consumer magazine production experience in both print and digital a strong advantage.

Direct marketing production experience

An interest in motorsport is desirable but not essential

If you would like further details of this exciting and varied production role, please send your CV and salary expectations