Digital Publishing Assistant (Freelance)

Nelson Education Ltd. is Canada’s leading educational publisher providing innovative products and solutions for learners of all ages. Nelson values and respects the lifelong learning continuum and dedicates its business efforts to the diverse learning needs of students and educators alike. 

As the largest Canadian owned and operated K-12 publisher, Nelson is a leading provider of teaching and learning solutions in the industry. We have worked to earn the confidence of Canadian educators, students and parents. Our exceptional team of sales, marketing, and editorial professionals collaborate with educators, students, ministries, and industry experts to create and promote educational resources. We involve our customers in the development of learning solutions, investing in outstanding and dedicated people, and encouraging innovative and creative solutions to real issues. 

Position Summary 

We are seeking an experienced Digital Publishing Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate should have prior experience in WYSIWYG digital formatting, along with proficiency is Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. The primary responsibility of this role is to develop slide-based web content and digital assets, utilizing tools such as Edwin Content Studio, Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft apps. The Digital Production Formatter will also need to understand accessibility principles and effectively communicate with subject matter experts (SMEs) and project managers. 

As a member of the content development and production team, you will help drive the planning, creation, and production of content for Nelson’s digital education platform. As we continue to enhance student and teacher experiences, you will use your design knowledge and technical skills to create attractive and engaging content. 

This close-knit group works collaboratively in a fast-paced environment where priorities and projects need to be juggled, assessed and reviewed to achieve maximum efficiency. Working with the publishers, editors, interactive/video team and project managers, you will ensure that the digital and interactive products meet the company’s quality standards. The position requires high attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work with technical and non-technical staff. Key to success in this position is the ability to work well under pressure, manage competing priorities, and thrive in a technical and quick-changing environment. 

Key Accountabilities

• Convert existing manuscript and previously published content into slide format using Edwin Content Studio WYSIWYG editor. 

• Follow established style guides and maintain consistency in layout, design, and messaging. 

• Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to enhance content, when needed. 

• Format Word and PDF documents following established style guides. 

• Insertion and validation of metadata in Edwin CMS. 

• Collaborate with SMEs and project managers to gather requirements and ensure content meets the desired objectives. 

• Understand and follow guidelines for accessibility, web compatibility, and rights and permissions, as well as file preparation requirements. 

• Consider issues such as heading levels, color contrast, alt text, and other accessibility features during content creation. 

• Create simple line art to digital specifications. 

• Use project management tools to track progress, manage tasks, and meet project deadlines. 

• Maintain organized files and work assignments to ensure efficient workflow and easy access to digital assets. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather feedback, make improvements, and iterate content based on user needs. 

• Problem solve/troubleshoot issues throughout production. 

• Prepare QA products and assets. 

• Support and maintain product post-live.

Requirements 

• Knowledge of UI and web design principles 

• Strong creative and design skills with a keen eye for aesthetic and visual details. 

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. 

• Familiarity with Jira, SmartSheet and project management tools is a plus. 

• Knowledge of accessibility principles 

• Excellent organizational skills to manage files and work assignments effectively. 

• Strong communication skills and collaborate with SMEs and project managers. 

• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines. 

• Proficient time management skills and ability to work independently and in a team. 

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail 

• Excellent English spelling, grammar, and communication skills. 

• Knowledge of French is an asset. 

Nelson is committed to Inclusion, Equity and diversity. As part of this commitment, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, gender, gender identity, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or disability status. Should you require any accommodation during our recruitment and selection process, please reach out to peopleandengagement@nelson.com.

All freelance work at Nelson is carried out on a work-for-hire basis, with freelancers submitting invoices for work on agreed-upon tasks and projects. The rate of pay ranges depending on experience and skill level, or sometimes according to predetermined task-based flat rates.