Biology Content Development Specialist

Job Description:

W. W. Norton is seeking a Biology Content Development Specialist to join its college Science Publishing Group. Norton takes pride in creating high-quality and pedagogically effective digital resources for college students and instructors and in providing unparalleled support for instructors using Norton learning tools in their courses. The Biology Content Development Specialist works closely with the Biology Editors and the larger Biology team to help review and organize content being developed for Norton’s Smartwork online homework system, Norton’s adaptive assessment system, InQuizitive, the Norton Illumine Ebook, and other digital tools. This role involves working closely with adopters and Norton sales and media specialists to provide sales and support, customize course content, and host webinars. Working in the Science Publishing Group also offers regular opportunities to learn, grow professionally, and foster innovation by sharing ideas with colleagues working in other disciplines. This position reports to the Science Editor in Chief.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Providing strategy and support for the Biology Team on projects where subject matter expertise is needed. This includes (but is not limited to), participating in planning for revisions and first editions, reviewing sample content from authors, reviewing and editing assessments, animations and simulations for content accuracy, aligning content with learning objectives, resolving content queries from reviewers and copyeditors.
• Serving as a peer advocate for Norton's Biology content and platforms. This includes proactive outreach to biologists to promote Norton content, hosting webinars, attending in-person focus groups at academic conferences, and campus visits to support sales and marketing staff.
• Providing important digital platform customer service support to high profile adoptions, including (but not limited to) writing custom content, training faculty to write content, develop assignments/courses based on syllabi, and converting syllabi.
• Working closely with Norton’s sales and marketing groups, training Norton sales staff on how to best communicate the benefits of our content and products to biologists through one-on-one conversations, training videos, webinars, presentations, and more.
• Promptly responding to adopter content concerns and Help Desk tickets.
• Collaborating with marketing, editorial, and sales to develop language and messaging, directed at biology instructors, about Norton’s products and services.
• Working with the Editors for Biology to communicate the specifications for, and functionality of, digital media to designers, programmers, and software developers. This includes consulting on new initiatives.

Please note- this job description is not designed to cover all activities required of the employee.

Experience and Skills:

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Biology or related field.
• Employment eligibility to work with W. W. Norton & Company in the US is required.
• Must be able to work full business hours.
• At least three years prior experience teaching introductory undergraduate biology courses at the college or university level.
• Must have a demonstrated interest in the challenges and opportunities of digital media as it applies to teaching and learning and be eager to uphold Norton’s high standards of content quality in all projects.
• College publishing or comparable experience creating digital or print products in other industries is desirable.
• Significant experience using online homework systems (such as Smartwork, MasteringBiology, Achieve, or Connect) in a college setting.
• Must be highly disciplined and self-motivated.
• Ability to multi-task, proactively identify projects, effectively prioritize and manage their own time.
• Must have a keen understanding of the teaching and learning needs of college professors and students.
• Superior verbal and written communications skills are essential.
• Must have a "can-do" attitude and be proactive and flexible in a rapidly changing environment.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented, making sure that all aspects of their daily activities are handled with accuracy and minimal mistakes.
• While travel is moderate, must be willing and able to travel several times per year throughout the United States and Canada. Travel includes attending academic conferences and Norton sales conferences, providing on-campus sales support, and visits to the New York office for meetings.
• W.W. Norton & Company ('Norton') strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace. To that end, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment for all new Norton hires. Norton makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other conditions protected by applicable law.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Must have a working knowledge of the benefits and limitations of HTML and JavaScript.

Compensation and Benefits*

Currently available benefits include: 

• Annual compensation for this position is $75,000 - $90,000. All salaries and salary ranges posted by Norton may vary depending on experience, skills, location and like considerations.
  
• Generous paid time off, paid holidays, and summer Friday afternoons beginning in July 
• Generous health benefits, including PPO and EPO medical insurance options, vision insurance, dental insurance, flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care and commuter, gym membership reimbursement, and more. Coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children is available. 
• Profit-Sharing and 401(k) benefit plan with discretionary contribution matching by employer 
• Disability and life insurances 
• FMLA, parental and other leave 
• Employee Assistance Program (for mental health, financial planning, and other needs)
• Company-provided laptop 
• Employee discounts on Norton books 
• Limited matching of employee donations to select non-profit organizations 

*All policies and benefits described are subject to change at any time.