Acquisitions Editor I

Sage • Washington, WA

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Acquisitions Editor I strategically acquires and develops new content and manages the active portfolio of Communication titles for Sage US College. The role signs new textbook projects, keeps existing titles on appropriate revision schedules, and develops a strategy for the list based on knowledge of the subject area, course markets, curriculum, trends, and competition. The editor works collaboratively with product management, content development, marketing communications, sales, sales enablement, and other teams, and represents Sage in relationships with authors and customers. The position includes presenting product information at sales meetings and traveling to academic conferences and campuses to understand market trends and connect with prospective authors and contributors. The editor is accountable for key performance indicators related to acquiring, developing, and launching products, and for maintaining an efficient, profitable, differentiated portfolio. This 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 or academic administration experience may provide transferable skills.
• 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 a clear list strategy and compelling product proposals.
• Strong relationship-building, negotiation, teamwork, and communication skills, including professionalism and tact when working with authors and collaborators.
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to use data, dashboards, and market feedback to guide decisions and meet key performance indicators.
• Excellent organization and project management skills, including ability to manage 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 impact on teaching and learning.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Communication Studies or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Build market intelligence by understanding instructors, students, their decision-making processes, and adoption and purchasing criteria; engage with customers in person and virtually.
• Monitor competition across course markets, including content, technology, instructor resources, pedagogy, authorship, courseware platforms, and nontraditional publishers.
• Develop expertise in Communication curricula, course needs, pedagogy, instructional design, learning outcomes, professional standards, accreditation, technology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion; apply this knowledge to products.
• Identify ideal author profiles and build relationships with prospective and existing authors; educate authors on industry trends, establish working guidelines, manage conflict, and negotiate contract terms.
• Recruit author talent, pursue priority signing targets, develop proposals and contract proposals, present projects to the Publishing Committee, negotiate terms, and update collaborators in publishing decisions for selected first editions.
• Manage the Communication title list by arranging revisions, setting schedules, improving efficiencies, caring for authors, and supporting optimal cycling, profitability, and product differentiation.
• Design and conduct market research, including surveys, reviews, focus groups, and interviews; collaborate on research strategy and analyze market feedback, dashboards, and reports to guide decisions.
• Provide product and content information for marketing communications.
• Work with content development editors to resolve schedules, establish development milestones, refine value propositions, and align on digital resources and courseware needs.
• Collaborate with product and go-to-market specialists to launch frontlist titles and present product information at national sales meetings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of higher education publishing and its editorial, production, marketing, sales, and product management functions; communicate Sage's strategy, mission, and values.

Benefits

• Competitive PPO medical, dental, and vision benefits, with Sage covering most premium costs.
• Company-sponsored anniversary trip every 5 years.
• 401(k) matching at 100% up to 5% of pay.
• Financial support for bachelor's and graduate-level degree programs and learning for personal interest.
• Freedom and autonomy in day-to-day work, with remote or hybrid arrangements depending on the role.
• Other significant benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level