HarperCollins Publishers

Acquisitions Editor

Job Locations US
Category
Editorial

Overview

Are you a creative visionary with a passion for beautiful books? Do you know what it takes to craft a bestselling, Christian market title? Are you excited to collaborate with top-tier authors and agents? If so, we want you on our team!

 

At HarperCollins Christian Publishing, our gift divisions—Thomas Nelson and Zondervan—are at the forefront of creating inspiring, high-design Christian gift books that resonate with readers worldwide. We specialize in publishing a wide range of meaningful, beautifully crafted titles including devotionals, seasonal gift books, lifestyle books, and more. From bestselling authors like Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Emily Ley, Sadie Robertson Huff, and David Jeremiah, to beloved brands, our imprint is dedicated to publishing works that uplift and transform lives.

 

We are seeking a motivated and dynamic Acquisitions Editor who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is skilled at identifying trends, and has the creativity and expertise to acquire and develop books that will inspire readers. The ideal candidate will be an avid book reader, highly organized, detail oriented, tech savvy, an active member of the team, and possess a can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Solicit, acquire, evaluate, and developmentally edit 13-15 new titles and authors annually—consistent with a multi-faceted publishing strategy and financial goals.
  • Leverage market research, social media, retailer insights, and other data to find relevant felt needs, competitive analysis, topics, and authors that can excel in the marketplace.
  • Concept proposals for commercially viable author-driven and proprietary titles.
  • Present projects at editorial board, sales conference, and other internal and external meetings selling to internal and external partners on the vision for the project.
  • Help negotiate approved publishing offers to agents and authors.
  • Understanding of a macro level edit and ability to offer feedback and suggestions to the author with the goal of improving the work.
  • Participate in creative development of titles and subtitles, descriptive copy, metadata to optimize search engine discovery, and covers for books acquired.
  • Offer best in class author care to existing author relationships and grow new author, agent, and corporate connections.

Qualifications

Knowledge:

  • Editing experience is a must, including substantive editing, editorial project management, and speaking into aesthetics and design. Thorough knowledge of the book editorial process and Chicago Manual of Style is strongly encouraged. Familiarity with the Bible and Christian doctrine required.
  • Should be well versed and engaged in social media, including emerging trends and voices in areas like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Meta, and more as it relates to authors to acquire.
  • Understanding the Christian publishing industry, with a familiarity with gift book or four-color publishing.

Work Experience: Minimum 3-5 years’ editorial experience or other relevant publishing experience, required.  Acquisitions or agenting experience strongly preferred. Experience in specialty or 2/4-color publishing preferred.

 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in English, Writing, Journalism, Publishing, or equivalent degree required.

 

Industry Knowledge: Working knowledge of the book market, leading authors, and agents, strongly preferred.  General knowledge of the book creation process.

 

Skills:

  • Avid book reader
  • Collaborative team player
  • Ability to handle multiple competing projects and priorities at one time  
  • Strong eye for design and industry trends
  • Cooperate with brand stakeholders and creatives to achieve a better result
  • Ability to turn data and research into creative ideas
  • Excellent editing and communication skills
  • Confronts obstacles with persistence
  • Decisive, well organized, strategic planner
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment
  • Must be able to travel as needed

The salary range for this position is $95,000 – $120,000. We recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company.  As a result, we aim for flexibility in structuring competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to attract the best candidates.  The quoted salary range represents our good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, and we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, technical and communication skills, and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview process.  

 

In addition to cash compensation, the company provides a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package, with a variety of physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits, including "elective" benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.

 

 

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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