Acquisitions Editor I

Sage•Washington, DC

1d•$68,000 - $77,500•Remote

About The Position

The Acquisitions Editor I is responsible for acquiring new content and managing a portfolio of active Communication titles for Sage US College. The role includes signing new textbook projects, maintaining effective revision schedules, developing a strategy for the list, and ensuring products meet market needs and performance benchmarks. The editor uses expertise in the Communication curriculum, course markets, customer needs, competition, and industry trends to guide acquisitions and product development. This highly collaborative role works with product management, content development, marketing communications, sales, sales enablement, and other US College teams. The editor represents Sage externally and builds relationships with authors and customers through phone, email, videoconference, and in-person interactions. Responsibilities also include presenting at sales meetings, attending academic conferences and visiting campuses, and managing the Communication portfolio for appropriate revision timing, profitability, and product differentiation. The position is fully remote.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 2 years of experience in acquisitions, editorial, product management, sales, or a related role in higher education publishing or ed-tech; relevant teaching, academic administration, or related experience with transferable skills is also welcomed.
Working knowledge of the Communication curriculum and course market, or ability to develop that expertise quickly.
Ability to identify market trends and translate customer and competitor insights into list strategy and product proposals.
Strong relationship-building, negotiation, teamwork, and communication skills, including professionalism and tact when working with authors and collaborators.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use data, dashboards, and market feedback to guide decisions and meet performance indicators.
Excellent organization and project management skills, including managing multiple projects, schedules, and priorities.
Confident presentation skills for in-person and virtual settings, sales meetings, and academic conferences.
Comfort with technology, digital content, and courseware platforms, and curiosity about their effects on teaching and learning.
Ability to work collaboratively and adapt to change.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Communication Studies or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Build market intelligence by learning about instructors’ and students’ needs, decision-making, and adoption or purchasing criteria, and engage with customers in person and virtually.
Monitor competition across course markets, including content, technology, instructor resources, pedagogy, authorship, courseware, and nontraditional publishers.
Develop expertise in Communication curricula and course markets, including content, pedagogy, instructional design, learning outcomes, professional standards, accreditation, technology, and relevant diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations.
Develop and maintain relationships with potential and existing authors; establish author guidelines; educate authors on industry trends and changes; manage conflict and negotiate contract terms.
Recruit author talent, prepare proposals and contract proposals, present projects to the Publishing Committee, negotiate terms, and update collaborators during publishing decision discussions for selected first editions.
Manage the Communication title list, including revisions, schedules, author care, portfolio cycling, profitability, and product differentiation.
Design and conduct market research, including surveys, reviews, focus groups, and interviews; collaborate on research strategy; analyze feedback, dashboards, and reports to inform decisions.
Provide product and content information for marketing communications activities.
Work with content development editors to resolve schedules, establish development milestones, refine value propositions, and determine digital resource and courseware needs.
Collaborate with product and go-to-market specialists to launch new titles and present product information at national sales meetings.
Demonstrate knowledge of the higher education publishing industry and its functional areas, and articulate Sage’s strategy, mission, and values.
Travel to academic conferences and campuses to learn about subject-area trends and network with potential authors and contributors.