Print Production Assistant

The Toronto Star is Canada’s largest daily newspaper and is read in print and across desktop, mobile and tablet platforms by more than 6 million readers every week. Online, thestar.com is one of the most-visited newspaper websites in Canada.

Our Commitment To Diversity
We strive to be a leader in building and cultivating an employee community framed around fairness, support and opportunity. We believe that what makes us different, makes a difference. And as a team, the diversity of our backgrounds, interests and experiences is what enriches our work, and our workplaces. We welcome all, and we strive for an inclusive culture that allows individual growth and shared success.

Role Overview

The Print Production Assistant provides day-to-day production support to the Sr. Manager, Production Operations to help ensure each edition is planned, built, and delivered on schedule. Working closely with Advertising, Editorial, and external print partners, you will coordinate workflows, maintain trackers and schedules, support page set-up and QA checks, and escalate issues as needed. This role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to work calmly in a deadline-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Planning Support

• Layout Support: Assist with reviewing layouts for correct ad placement, section flow, and style adherence. Identify and document planning concerns (e.g., conflicting client requirements and “Vitals” proximity to sensitive content) and escalate to the Sr. Manager as required.
• Inventory & Scheduling Support: Maintain schedules for gatefolds, wraps, and special features. Track page inventory, flag constraints early, and prepare recommended options for the Sr. Manager when space is limited.
• Template & System Set-Up: Support page and template set-up in editorial systems and confirm pages are loaded on time for automated content (puzzles, comics, etc.). Communicate timing risks to the Sr. Manager and affected teams.

Production Coordination & Vendor Support

• Press Run Coordination: Monitor run requirements and support the Sr. Manager by flagging when an additional press run may be required, based on updated page counts, inserts, or vendor constraints.
• Quality Assurance Support: Review press configurations prepared by vendor teams for completeness and accuracy prior to transmission to the printer, and escalate discrepancies to the Sr. Manager.

Traffic & Compliance Support

• Ad Traffic Support: Help ensure ad materials are received, logged, and routed correctly. Flag ad material that may be legally questionable or non-compliant and escalate promptly to the Sr. Manager.
• Tracking & Data Management: Collect and input production data into Excel trackers and maintain real-time “missing material” lists throughout the cycle. Provide regular status updates to the Sr. Manager and stakeholders.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Issue Support & Resolution: Support the Promotions team and other partners by gathering requirements, communicating options, and coordinating ad positioning changes as directed by the Sr. Manager.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Receive and track requests from Editorial, Promotions, and Advertising. Triage priorities, document decisions, and escalate competing requests to the Sr. Manager for direction.

• Systems Proficiency: High level of comfort with Adobe InDesign, Excel, and enterprise pagination/layout software.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of ROP (Run of Press) and Classified advertising structures.
• Numerical Skills: Ability to support page count calculations and assist with basic production cost tracking as needed.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous review of press configurations.
• Communication: Strong ability to collaborate with remote vendors and internal stakeholders via email and video conferencing platforms.

Work Environment

• Must be able to work under tight, daily publication deadlines.
• Requires high adaptability to manage volume changes.

Miscellaneous

• Additional duties as assigned.

Salary Range for this role $50,000 to $60,000 plus full benefits package and defined benefit pension plan

AODA
We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for candidates, including persons with disabilities. In compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario Human Rights Code we will endeavour to provide accommodation to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and you require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please notify the hiring manager upon scheduling the interview of your requirements.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Our Applicant Tracking System (ATS) uses AI for initial screening and assessment; however, all final selection decisions are made by our Hiring Managers.