Job Description
May 2015
Job title: Production Executive
Department: Design
Division: Commercial Services & Marketing
Reports to: Head of Design
Pay Band: Band E / £26,438
Location: Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road,
Edinburgh, EH11 4DF
Type of Contract: Permanent, full-time
KEY PURPOSE
To manage day to day progress of all production/print jobs in the Trust’s annual operational plan by
effecting elements of the process (including liaising with editors, designers and print contractors) to
ensure delivery of finished jobs to the correct location to the agreed schedule and within budget as
delegated by the Head of Design. Respond to design briefs and advise on best production method, from
traditional to digital print. Ensure best industry quality and environmental standards are adhered to.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic:
 Support the Head of Design to ensure a high level of accuracy and consistency is achieved in
NTS print production, irrespective of process e.g. litho/digital.
 Advise NTS staff on all print production matters; make and apply decisions to meet the highest
quality standards possible for the Trust.
 In the absence of the Head of Design, has delegated authority to represent the team by attending
and contributing on production matters at appropriate meetings and report back as required.
 In the absence of the Head of Design, has delegated authority to make decisions on production
matters, including methods of supplying mailing data, ensure materials are in place and the
printing process to be utilised is identified.
Operational:
 Take briefings from staff at all levels and provide advice on the most appropriate method of print
production.
 Give advice to staff at all levels of the best way to proceed on jobs and to provide practical
support in the context of the brief.
 Respond to new jobs from receipt of Design Brief, and/or Briefing Meetings on more complex or
unusual one-off jobs.
 Co-ordinate all component parts of a printed job, to ensure these are delivered accurately and
that the overall result is delivered on time and within budget.
 Maintain the appropriate high standard of quality control on all Trust publications, including
stationery.
 On publications such as funding appeal campaigns and Scotland in Trust, gather all the technical
requirements, fulfilment data and artwork for mailing, addresses for distribution and inserts
matrix.
 Keep schedules up to date and visible, progressing the timely delivery of all elements required,
ensuring the appeals/magazine reach the members/recipients within the agreed time frame.
 Oversee the print and distribution of the final product including obtaining, when appropriate,
distribution lists.
 The postholder has delegated responsibility for selecting appropriate suppliers for production
within the Department budget and if required, re-negotiate fees.

Responsible for the sign-off of technical elements of printer’s proofs at the final stages of
production.
SCOPE OF JOB
Technical:
 Thorough understanding and knowledge of current print production methods and possibilities,
as well as practical and logistical matters relating to production and distribution;
 Highly proficient user of Microsoft Office suite (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
People Management:
 No line management responsibility;
 Liaise with internal NTS clients, giving professional advice on print production matters as
required;
 Liaise with other members of Design team to ensure that the final product is accurate and correct;
 Liaise with internal NTS clients as required for admin/finance/support queries;
 Liaise with external suppliers on a daily basis for completion of assignments.
Financial Management:
 Responsible for seeking estimates as per design brief, advising NTS client and obtaining
approval PRIOR to commencing print;
 Responsible for accurate and timely recording of NTS spend, including purchase order raising,
goods receipting;
 Responsible for ensuring external suppliers fulfil their obligation (via NTS purchase orders) on
behalf of NTS budget holders of approx £650k per annum.
The current duties of this post do not require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried
out and for the post-holder to be a Counter-Signatory for the criminal records checks of others.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
 Should be educated to Degree level in a Print/Publishing/Production Management discipline or
equivalent practical experience.
 Significant hands-on experience of print work in an agency, design, print or publishing
environment dealing with a wide range of products.
 Ability to work unsupervised as well as being an integral part of a team.
 Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to multi-task.
 Ability to work to tight deadlines.
 Attention to detail.
 Skills in communicating effectively at a wide range of levels including specialist and nonspecialist staff and stakeholders.
 PC literate with excellent IT skills across Microsoft products.
 Ability to operate external on-line systems e.g. Royal Mail OBA and contractors on-line ordering.
 Apple Mac and Adobe Creative Suite knowledge would be an advantage.
The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Essential Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge
reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with
appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be
reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.
Applications:
Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department
(Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh, EH11
4DF, by post or by email via workforus@nts.org.uk by 8 June 2015. Interviews are likely to take place at
Hermiston Quay during mid June 2015.