Melissa Close
Somerville,MA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Cases Commissioning Lead
Emerald Publishing
05.2022 - Current
- Developed global strategy to grow the company's teaching case product by directly commissioning hot-topic content from key regions.
- Oversaw department budgets, publication schedules, and editorial policies.
- Effectively recruited and managed a team of 17 freelance editors.
- Designed a quarterly webinar series to educate potential authors and advocate for the case method in academic circles.
- Attended industry conferences to promote Emerald's collections.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, effectively leading colleagues to meet deadlines and business goals.
Journals Commissioning Editor
Emerald Publishing
06.2018 - 05.2022
- Managed a portfolio of 25 academic journals specializing in Accounting & Finance.
- Directly commissioned timely, topical, and relevant research to broaden the portfolio's impact and drive future growth.
- Oversaw content updates on all journal websites and social media channels.
- Effectively collaborated with finance and production teams to design editorial budgets and schedules.
- Promoted from Associate Publisher/Editorial Assistant following two years of successful contributions.
Publishing Administration Intern
Harvard Education Publishing Group
02.2018 - 05.2018
- Issued regular royalty mailings and routine communications to HEPG authors.
- Ran the in-house bookstore during office hours, providing excellent customer service to guests.
- Assisted finance department in processing invoices, office expenses, and day-to-day record-keeping.
Marketing Intern
Ploughshares Literary Journal
05.2017 - 12.2017
- Created written and visual content for press releases, blog posts, newsletters, and social media.
- Tracked campaign performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and adjust strategies every month.
- Conducted market research to identify target audiences and optimize marketing efforts.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Writing, Literature & Publishing, Marketing
EMERSON COLLEGE
BOSTON, MA06.2018
Skills
- Budget management
- Copyediting
- Copywriting
- Communication
- Content strategy & commissioning
- Contract negotiation
- Data analysis
- Editorial policy
- Email marketing
- Event planning
- Project management
- Proofreading
- Public speaking
- Relationship management
- Team leadership
Honors & Activities
- Outreach Chair, Early Career Publishers Committee - STM Association
- Equity, diversity and inclusion committee - Emerald Publishing
- Early Career Scholarship recipient - National Information Standards Association
- Events Volunteer, GrubStreet
Timeline
Cases Commissioning Lead
Emerald Publishing
05.2022 - Current
Journals Commissioning Editor
Emerald Publishing
06.2018 - 05.2022
Publishing Administration Intern
Harvard Education Publishing Group
02.2018 - 05.2018
Marketing Intern
Ploughshares Literary Journal
05.2017 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Writing, Literature & Publishing, Marketing
EMERSON COLLEGE