Senior Acquisitions Editor

Summary

Position is responsible for acquiring book projects, including identifying emerging interests and trends, communicating with prospective authors, evaluating proposals and book manuscripts, and preparing manuscripts for publication. Position handles a substantial number of acquisitions or works with highly specialized or technical project topics. Position is responsible for career development and training of junior staff.  When Editor-in-Chief is absent, this position will serve on the leadership team.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description.  These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Identifies and executes a publishing plan for one or more scholarly disciplines or interest areas.
• Monitors trends and methodologies, identifies emerging interest areas, and identifies prospective authors.
• Communicates with potential authors and guides authors through the proposal submission process.
• Evaluates proposals and book manuscripts, including engaging with scholars and readers for input, and presents projects to advisory boards or committees for consideration and selection.
• Prepares manuscripts for publication.
• Prepares and maintains the manuscript delivery schedule, including setting launch meeting dates, sending out announcements, and ensuring the projects are prepared properly and in a timely fashion.
• Trains junior staff on manuscript preparation, author communications, and developing editorial expertise.
• Prepares final project budget, negotiates contract terms, and identifies funding sources.
• Works with other departments, such as sales and marketing, to help ensure the project’s completion and success.
• Travels to scholarly meetings, conferences, and universities to meet with prospective authors or advisors or to serve as exhibitor/sales representative.
• In absence of the Editor-in-Chief, will serve as leadership liaison for the department.  Must be familiar with departmental budgets and schedules.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and three years of relevant experience.

Licensure and Certification

N/A

Supervision

This position does have supervisory responsibility.

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