Acquisitions editor job description
Updated March 14, 2024
3 min read
Find better candidates in less time
Post a job on Zippia and take the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.
Example acquisitions editor requirements on a job description
Acquisitions editor requirements can be divided into technical requirements and required soft skills. The lists below show the most common requirements included in acquisitions editor job postings.
Sample acquisitions editor requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Minimum 2 years of experience in publishing
- Expertise in acquisitions and contract negotiations
- Strong understanding of copyright and royalty laws
- Proficiency in MS Office suite
Sample required acquisitions editor soft skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong interpersonal skills and networking abilities
Acquisitions editor job description example 1
HarperCollins acquisitions editor job description
**Overview**
Nelson Books is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation. The Senior Acquisitions Editor serves in a leadership role in the acquisition and editorial/product development for non-fiction titles in the Christian market
This position is remote. The preference is to fill this position in Grand Rapids, MI or Nashville, TN but we are also open to qualified candidates that are located outside of these areas.
**Responsibilities**
+ Actively acquires 12-14 titles per year consistent with publishing strategy and financial goals.
+ Oversees editorial development of books acquired, including the delivery of expert and timely editorial work to production and strong author management.
+ Shepherds the titling, packaging, and cataloging process for acquired titles.
+ Provides timely communication with current and potential authors and their agents regarding the status of their proposals and/or contracted projects.
+ Negotiates with authors and/or agents in a manner that is fair and within financial benchmarks and develops, nurtures, and grows author and agent relationships; strong editorial judgment about which authors to acquire and resign.
+ Represents Nelson Books persuasively within HCCP and within the broader publishing community, including at conferences and industry trade shows as needed.
+ Influences and informally mentors junior editorial staff.
+ Possesses expertise in cultural, entertainment, and publishing trends.
**Qualifications**
**Knowledge:** Expert market knowledge, proven leadership ability, proven success in acquisitions, proven ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external constituencies.
**Work Experience:** Proven success as an acquisitions editor with 7-8 years' experience in publishing.
**Education:** BA in Humanities, English, Journalism, or Theology or equivalent degree required. MA degree preferred.
**Industry Knowledge:** Strong knowledge of the ABA and CBA trade book market, leading authors, and publishers; strong agency and industry contacts.
**Skills:**
+ Excellent developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, andcommunication skills; ability to work with authors in developing content
+ Manuscript management experience
+ Familiarity with Christian content and a variety of theological frameworks
+ Able to work withand lead/influence others in a team environment
+ Strong communication and interpersonal skills
+ Ability to juggle multiple assignments at any given time
+ Able to manage and coach creative people and desire to see them thrive
+ Skilled in understanding book offers, publishing terms, and negotiation tactics
+ Decisive, well organized, strategic planner in the context of a team environment with shared processes and goals. Innovation and creativity skills are crucial for success
+ Relationship builder, networker, diplomatic and collaborative
+ Outstanding communication and public speaking skills
+ Must be able to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving marketplace and environment
+ Must be able to travel as needed
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer
**Job Locations** _US | US-MI-Grand Rapids | US-TN-Nashville_
**Category** _Editorial_
**Additional Locations** _US-MI-Grand Rapids | US-TN-Nashville_
Nelson Books is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation. The Senior Acquisitions Editor serves in a leadership role in the acquisition and editorial/product development for non-fiction titles in the Christian market
This position is remote. The preference is to fill this position in Grand Rapids, MI or Nashville, TN but we are also open to qualified candidates that are located outside of these areas.
**Responsibilities**
+ Actively acquires 12-14 titles per year consistent with publishing strategy and financial goals.
+ Oversees editorial development of books acquired, including the delivery of expert and timely editorial work to production and strong author management.
+ Shepherds the titling, packaging, and cataloging process for acquired titles.
+ Provides timely communication with current and potential authors and their agents regarding the status of their proposals and/or contracted projects.
+ Negotiates with authors and/or agents in a manner that is fair and within financial benchmarks and develops, nurtures, and grows author and agent relationships; strong editorial judgment about which authors to acquire and resign.
+ Represents Nelson Books persuasively within HCCP and within the broader publishing community, including at conferences and industry trade shows as needed.
+ Influences and informally mentors junior editorial staff.
+ Possesses expertise in cultural, entertainment, and publishing trends.
**Qualifications**
**Knowledge:** Expert market knowledge, proven leadership ability, proven success in acquisitions, proven ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external constituencies.
**Work Experience:** Proven success as an acquisitions editor with 7-8 years' experience in publishing.
**Education:** BA in Humanities, English, Journalism, or Theology or equivalent degree required. MA degree preferred.
**Industry Knowledge:** Strong knowledge of the ABA and CBA trade book market, leading authors, and publishers; strong agency and industry contacts.
**Skills:**
+ Excellent developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, andcommunication skills; ability to work with authors in developing content
+ Manuscript management experience
+ Familiarity with Christian content and a variety of theological frameworks
+ Able to work withand lead/influence others in a team environment
+ Strong communication and interpersonal skills
+ Ability to juggle multiple assignments at any given time
+ Able to manage and coach creative people and desire to see them thrive
+ Skilled in understanding book offers, publishing terms, and negotiation tactics
+ Decisive, well organized, strategic planner in the context of a team environment with shared processes and goals. Innovation and creativity skills are crucial for success
+ Relationship builder, networker, diplomatic and collaborative
+ Outstanding communication and public speaking skills
+ Must be able to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving marketplace and environment
+ Must be able to travel as needed
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer
**Job Locations** _US | US-MI-Grand Rapids | US-TN-Nashville_
**Category** _Editorial_
**Additional Locations** _US-MI-Grand Rapids | US-TN-Nashville_
Post a job for free, promote it for a fee
Resources for employers posting acquisitions editor jobs
Average cost of hiring
Recruitment statistics
How to write a job description
Examples of work conditions
Acquisitions editor job description FAQs
Ready to start hiring?
Updated March 14, 2024
Updated March 14, 2024