Jonathan Ball Publishers has a vacancy for Digital Book Production & eBook Coordinator in its Cape Town offices. This position will report directly to the Production Manager and requires a detail-oriented individual with strong organisational skills and the ability to work accurately under pressure. The ideal candidate has some experience in print or ebook production, or is a graduate with a lively interest in digital book production and sees a future for themselves in this field.

Key responsibilities:

• Ebook production: Coordinate the complete digital (ebook) production process, from proof stage to final eBook files.
• Quality Assurance: Proof, test, and troubleshoot eBooks on various devices and platforms (Kindle, Apple, Kobo, Bluefire).’
• Quality Control: Use of eBook validation tools (e.g. EPUBCheck) and device emulators.
• Digital Asset Coordination: Effective organisation, archiving, and version control of digital files.

Technical skills:

• Computer literate: Basic understanding of MS Word, Outlook and Excel and Adobe Acrobat
• eBook Formats: A good understanding of the different digital book formats and applicability (EPUB, MOBI, PDF, and fixed-layout versus reflowable layout).
• Metadata: A basic understanding of best practices for metadata to optimise discoverability and sales.
• Language skills: Fluency in both English and Afrikaans, as the role requires checking ebooks in both these languages

Bonus Skills

DRM: Basic knowledge of digital rights management (DRM)

HTML & CSS: Intermediate skills for editing and troubleshooting eBook files.

XML: An understanding of XML for metadata and content structure.

Soft skills:

• Excellent organisational abilities
• Time management/scheduling; ability to coordinate multiple projects and different deadlines at the same time.
• Meticulous; will ensure accuracy in formatting, metadata, and file quality.

• Problemsolver; will proactively identify and resolve technical, production, and workflow issues.
• Good communicator; clear and professional communication with different team members (publishers, designers, IT, etc.) and vendors.
• Customer focus; understands the needs of readers and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• A tertiary qualification in publishing or a relevant field, or
• Experience working in a similar or related role in the production team of a publishing house

Applications should be accompanied by a cover letter explaining why the applicant believes they are a good fit for the position. Those who meet the requirements of the post and are interested in applying for this position may apply on the Media24 career portal by clicking on the following link: https://media24.simplify.hr/vacancy/qsowb1

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICANTS: 10 APRIL 2026

Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed. Applicants who have not received a reply within two weeks of the closing date may assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

We reserve the right not to fill this position at this time should a suitable candidate not be found.

Given our employment equity guidelines, preference will be given to suitable candidates from the designated groups.