Publication Section Head // Cultural Institution

This is a Generic JD  - NOT the client official JD

Position: Publication Section Head

Job Overview:

Our client, a prominent cultural institution in Abu Dhabi, is seeking a highly skilled and technically experienced Publications Section Head to lead and manage the creation, production, and distribution of high-quality publications, including exhibition catalogues, academic texts, art books, and other institutional materials.
The ideal candidate must bring extensive hands-on experience in publications and book production from concept to print and a deep understanding of editorial processes, design workflows, printing standards, and distribution strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Publications Section, overseeing the planning, production, and delivery of all print and digital publications.
  

• Manage the end-to-end production process of books and printed materials including content development, design, editing, typesetting, printing, and distribution.
  

• Collaborate with curators, writers, editors, designers, and external publishers to ensure content quality and visual excellence.
  

• Oversee the editorial workflow, ensuring consistency with institutional voice, style, and scholarly standards.
  

• Supervise budgeting, scheduling, and vendor management related to publications and printing.
  

• Ensure all publications meet international publishing standards in terms of typography, image quality, layout, and materials.
  

• Work closely with internal departments such as exhibitions, education, marketing, and communications to support their publishing needs.
  

• Maintain relationships with global publishing partners, rights holders, translators, and distributors.
  

• Monitor the latest trends and technologies in the publishing industry and implement innovations when appropriate.
  

• Develop and implement the institutions publications strategy, aligned with its broader cultural and educational mission.
  

Requirements:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Publishing, Communications, Literature, Art History, or related fields.
  

• Minimum 7+ years of proven experience in book publishing and production, preferably within the arts, museums, or cultural institutions.
  

• Strong technical knowledge of all stages of book production, including layout, color correction, printing processes, and materials.
  

• Familiarity with editorial workflows, publishing software (Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, etc.), and rights management.
  

• Excellent project management skills and the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
  

• Experience managing external vendors, such as printers, translators, copyeditors, and distributors.
  
• Multilingual abilities especially Arabic and English