Acquisitions Editor, Penn State University Press

Penn State University • University Park, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Penn State University Press seeks an experienced and driven Acquisitions Editor to join a collaborative team of editors acquiring balanced and innovative lists of top-quality scholarly and trade titles. The Acquisitions Editor will be responsible for acquiring and transmitting into production 20-25 new book titles per year in their assigned list areas in the humanities and social sciences. This includes but is not limited to the fields of rhetoric and Africana studies.

Requirements

• Experience working in an acquisitions capacity in book publishing
• Outstanding networking abilities with scholars
• An understanding of the mechanics of list-building related both to established lists and to new areas of acquisition
• An awareness of the finances of book publishing, including experience drafting new title Profit and Loss (P&L) statements, as well as a general understanding of the challenges facing academic publishing today
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills; ability to adapt effectively to challenges and changing priorities
• Inclusive and respectful when working with or interacting with others
• Applicants must have basic proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe Acrobat and be willing to learn other job-related software, such as other Microsoft applications.
• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Responsibilities

• Solicit and evaluate book proposals and manuscripts within assigned list areas, assessing scholarly quality, alignment with the Press’s program, and market potential.
• Follow best practices for peer review, secure external readers for projects under consideration and advise authors on any necessary post-review revisions.
• Present new project proposals for committee approval, and draft and negotiate author contracts.
• Prepare final manuscripts for production, vetting final revisions and assuring conformity of manuscript and illustration program to house standards, working with the author to secure any necessary third-party permissions and/or publication subsidies.
• Oversee the work of a part-time editorial assistant.
• Position also includes travel to 4-6 academic conferences per year, with some weekend travel expected.
• Conference work typically involves lifting boxes of books weighing roughly 20 pounds.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees