Purpose:

The Commissioning Editor (CE) primarily exists to commission and manage the delivery of Practical Guidance (PG) content across multiple practice areas, ensuring content meets customer needs and specifications of the PG business plan. The CE will contribute to development of practice areas for launch (high volume commissioning) and post-launch (maintenance, ongoing development, current awareness), and contribute findings of customer research at all stages, the customer perspective being the driving force behind all value-added business activities.

The CE also shares responsibility for developing editorial benchmarks and quality assurance measures and will be required to contribute a measure of hands-on editorial support. Close interaction with editorial and in-house writing staff and operations personnel is required to carry out all aspects of the role effectively. Additional responsibilities include author and/or supplier management, keeping aware of and ahead of competitor publications, conducting an annual product review to assess the performance of assigned products, building knowledge of the market and assisting sales/CS with queries as required.

The CE will take an active role in ensuring contributors are properly acknowledged via attribution and promotional efforts.

The CE will become well networked in Hong Kong and within LexisNexis to ensure a steady supply of content and ideas flow to the product.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Commission new content across market sectors ensuring the most appropriate author/provider is identified to deliver high quality content which meets customer expectations in a timely manner.
• Ensure commissioned content is supported with supporting documentation i.e. contracts and that authors are properly managed.
• Manage the commissioning process, agreeing content, budget and deadlines with authors and managing outputs and content quality against these deliverables.
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential authors to better position LN and enable smooth commissioning of work in the future.
• Look to existing LN materials for content sources and balance against new materials.
• Participate in marketplace research, review competitor offering and identify opportunities to expand, enhance or update portfolio.
• Contribute to sales and marketing plan in line with the business plan, gathering feedback and testimonials from customers to optimise product sales.
• Carry out reviews of existing portfolio with customers and identify and make recommendations on enhancements to build sales and profitability.
• Maintain market and subject area knowledge, particularly regarding developments in the law, to ensure the best possible contribution can be made to the PG programme.
• Adhere to the publishing schedule, implement agreed plans and work within set commercial parameters.
• Assist other team members as required to edit manuscript for content and organisation, to ensure accuracy, currency, relevance, conformance, accessibility and timeliness, performing original research as required.
• Work with team, colleagues and customers to develop and implement continuous process improvements and achieve best practice.
• Build effective relationships with colleagues, customers (internal and external) and management to ensure efficient execution of day-to-day operations and strategic plans.

Requirements:

• JD, LLB or equivalent degree preferred but not essential.
• Admission to legal practice preferred but not essential.
• Relevant experience in commissioning/product development and editorial processes or at least a solid understanding and demonstrable interest in the area.
• A sound level of computer literacy including measurable keyboard skills.
• Ability to identify, research and commission new products or a demonstrated desire to develop these skills and evidence of aptitude.
• Portfolio management, ie further development of existing products and services.
• Ability to manage a large and demanding workload and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to track and report on progress in an organised manner.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, comfort working with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to network internally and externally to develop productive professional relationships.
• Adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Customer focus.
• Commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated legal research skills preferred.
• Face to face interview/research skills preferred.
• Language skills: fluent English essential; competent Chinese useful.