We are looking for a Freelance Proofreader and Copyeditor to add to our pool of freelance contacts. It's important to note that this may not be regular work projects are likely to be on an ad hoc basis, usually between February and July. You must be self-employed and able to supply an invoice for your services.

Location: Remote (you must be able to attend our office in Birmingham if necessary)

ROLE OVERVIEW

Contributing to the operations of an integrated Studio, this role ensures the quality of all written work produced by Jones and Palmer. You ll maintain the accuracy of spelling, grammar and punctuation, review styling and formatting against guidelines, and provide recommendations or suggestions on copyediting where appropriate.

Ensuring all work is produced to the highest standards, you ll deliver consistency across all Studio outputs while following agreed processes and workflows. Attention to detail is key, along with a proactive, flexible attitude and a responsive, professional approach. We will provide necessary training on our processes and workflows.

The department s working hours are any time between 8am and 6pm, although we do offer a degree of flexibility. You will be required to be online during your working hours in case of project changes or to address queries.

In return, you ll gain exposure to a broad range of business sectors, including fashion, retail, financial services, pharmaceuticals, logistics, real estate, energy, tourism, construction, publishing and more. We have 80+ different clients so no project is the same!

You ll improve your existing proofreading and copyediting skills, gain commercial awareness and understanding of investor relations and corporate communications. We encourage critical thinking, welcome fresh and new ideas, and constantly strive to adapt, improve and innovate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proofread client work across print and digital as requested by internal stakeholders, highlighting errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation, as well as looking for consistency in styling, formatting and sequencing.
• Content check artwork outputs against the client s supplied documents, checking for discrepancies in content against the originals.
• Copyedit content as requested to ensure the copy is clear and concise, but also reducing word count.
• Sense check all content for factual inaccuracies a good general knowledge is desired.
• Regularly review, update and maintain the client s style guide to ensure ultimate cohesion amongst that client s projects, and highlighting any discrepancies to ensure all materials are aligned to these.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of content within the client s projects, such as phrasing, URLs, page references, capitalisation, hyphenation, etc.
• Support other internal teams for proofreading and editing requirements as needed.
• Ensure work is completed to timely deadlines.
• Regularly communicate with all internal stakeholders on the status of work.
• Escalate issues and flag risks to delivery as soon as identified to the Copy Services Team Lead and/or Traffic Manager.
• Provide excellent service to stakeholders, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in resolving queries and finding solutions to challenges.
• Adhere to business processes, housekeeping and workflows.
• Support the wider function of Studio, sharing knowledge, improving quality, and helping to deliver change, actively contributing to a positive department profile within the business.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• A thorough knowledge of the English language, with excellent oral and written communications skills.
• At least 5 years experience in a proofreading and copyediting role, using PDF markup and/or tracked change methods.
• A professional qualification in proofreading and copyediting. A CIEP membership is desirable.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods while maintaining accuracy.
• Exceptional attention to detail with high quality standards.
• Good organisational skills and a methodical working style.
• Able to work to tight deadlines, sometimes under pressure.
• Good working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word and Excel, and Google suite.
• Good collaboration skills, able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Acts with discretion, integrity, respect and thoughtfulness, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Proactive, forward thinking and embracing of change and development.
• A problem solver with critical thinking skills, willing to challenge and be challenged, and see the big picture.
• Energetic and self-motivated, with the ability to multitask and prioritise own workload.

ABOUT US

Since 1906, Jones and Palmer have been supporting our clients with their corporate communications. Our purpose is helping people make good long-term decisions, by making business understandable, through memorable storytelling.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of our award-winning independent agency based in the Jewellery Quarter in the heart of Birmingham. Working together with colleagues from across the business, our Studio team are at the centre of everything, pulling together inputs from our consultants, creatives and clients to create top quality finished work for multichannel publishing.

We re a dynamic, ever-evolving, people-focused business, and we encourage our colleagues to use their initiative, to challenge and be challenged, and to evolve with the company.