ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY

Publications Editor

Dear Applicant

Publications Editor

Thank you for your interest in the above position with Alzheimer’s Society.
Please find enclosed an information pack as requested.

We ask you to fill in your application carefully, giving all relevant information and
in particular, setting out the ways in which you meet the competencies outlined
in the job description. You should provide clear and concise examples of a time
when you have had to use the necessary skills.

The application should be typed or completed in black ink. The panel will be
considering the presentation of your application during the selection process.

Your completed application should be returned to us by 5.00pm on 9th April

2010. Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews will be held on TBC.

Please send your completed application form to:

Recruitment
Human Resources
Alzheimer’s Society
Devon House
58 St Katharine’s Way
London
E1W 1JX

Or e-mail recruitment@alzheimers.org.uk

CV's will not be accepted.

Yours faithfully

Recruitment Team

Information for Candidates

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Publications Editor

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Alzheimer's Society is concerned with all forms of dementia, of which

Alzheimer’s is the most common. Structural and chemical changes in the brain
are responsible for the devastating effects of dementia which include
deterioration of memory, confusion over time and place, changes in personality
and behaviour together with the loss of everyday skills such as driving or telling
the time and, as the condition progresses, the ability to wash or dress or even
recognise friends.

More than 700,000 people in the UK have some form of dementia - one in 20 of
those aged 65 or more and one in five of the over 80s. As the population ages
we expect this figure to rise and demand for specific services to grow.

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading national care and research charity for people
with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. We offer support, give
information and advice, run day care and home care services, campaign for
adequate benefits, proper assessment and high quality care and we fund
research into the causes and possible treatments for dementia.

The Society delivers its services through a combination of national and local
activity and last year provided help to over 100,000 people.

Alzheimer’s Society is made up of approximately 240 local branch operations,

varying in size from £10k to £600k pa, supported by a central office based in
London. We employ approximately 1,800 staff and benefit from the time and
commitment of up to 5,000 volunteers covering a range of duties from direct
care to finance. The Society has grown to this size in under 30 years, and is
still ambitious. The challenge is to build on its successes, to actively pursue its
growth and develop services across the country, whilst at the same time
improving governance arrangements and the management of risk.

Publications Editor

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Publications Editor

Main purpose of job

The Publications Editor will provide a significant role in the maintenance and
development of Alzheimer’s Society’s social purpose publishing programme,
ensuring that relevant, high quality information materials are produced
efficiently and cost effectively for all audiences. The post will also involve the
project management of products from editorial development through to printed
product from the Education and Development publishing programme.

Position in organisation

Responsible to the Publishing Manager.

Liaises with central, regional and local staff over specific and general
publications queries, including new publications, content development, layout
and house style.
Liaises externally with authors, reviewers, freelance editors/proofreaders and
designers.

Scope of job

• To contribute to the overall quality of the Society’s publishing

programme.
• To contribute to the business planning process by identifying information
needs in the social purpose programme.
• To develop and maintain the Society’s house style.
• To ensure all publications in the Society’s publishing programme adhere
to brand guidelines and house style.
• To commission all aspects of publication process, from author script to
published material, with new publications, reprints and joint projects as
appropriate.
• Manage the information sheets’ updating process and ensure that
content checking is rigorous and published material consistent with
house style.
• Manage the online A-Z of dementia, keeping material up-to-date,
relevant and accurate

Dimensions and limits of authority

• Responsible for the management of the factsheet programme both off

and online in consultation with knowledge department
• Devolved responsibility for quality of materials produced in the Society’s
publishing programme

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Publications Editor

• Devolved responsibility for internal and external client relationship

management

Duties and Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the Society’s publishing programme ensuring the production of

high quality materials.
• Make price structure recommendations in line with the Society’s
recommendations regarding relationships with its internal and external
audiences.
• Manage editorial development of publications initiated internally as
requested.
• Ensure the cost-effective purchase of services including print, freelance
support, storage and fulfilment.
• Ensure that all publications in the publishing programme are inclusive
and accessible and that people with dementia and their carers are portrayed
positively.
• Write and edit other publications ensuring high quality editorial standards.
o Handling queries from regional, local and internal as well as
external customers regarding publications
• To write and edit electronic materials, including content on the website as
required.
• Commission design, typesetting, writers, editors, proofreaders as
necessary.
• Project manage two bi-annual publications catalogues
• Contribute to establishment of an effective system for the ordering of
publications through local admin centres both from the catalogues and
online ordering systems – website and shop.

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Publications Editor

Person Specification

Publications Editor

Educations/qualifications/knowledge
• Good degree or relevant professional qualification
• Knowledge of the publishing process including design and production
processes
• Advanced knowledge of English grammar and usage
• In-depth knowledge of the use of plain English
• Experience of MS Office and the internet
• Experience with DTP programs including QuarkXpress/InDesign (desirable)
as well as knowledge of electronic publishing software include Adobe
Acrobat

Experience
• Minimum three years’ publications or editorial experience
• Minimum of three years’ experience of working to plain English and house
style guidelines
• Minimum of one year’s experience of managing publications projects
• Minimum of one year’s experience of commissioning and managing the
work of external editors, writers and designers

Skills/abilities
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to manage a complex function efficiently and effectively
• Ability to produce relevant printed and electronic materials for diverse
audiences
• Excellent written communication skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to plan and deliver work to tight deadlines
• Ability to adapt to changing technology
• Ability to manage a large number of publishing projects simultaneously
• Ability to effectively represent the publications team at internal and
external meetings
• Awareness of issues relating to dementia and/or old age

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Publications Editor

Personal qualities
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Commitment to delivering quality products to each of the Society’s different
audiences
• Understanding of the issues involved in publishing for and about vulnerable
or disadvantaged groups.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Alzheimer’s Society
•

Special circumstances
- Occasional need to travel out of London to assist with conferences and
to represent the Society at meetings.

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