Senior Acquisitions Editor

MIT • Cambridge, MA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Acquisitions Editor at MIT Press will strategically acquire and develop books across Trade, AcTrade, professional, and scholarly categories, focusing on significant topics in education, technology, computer science, and social sciences to meet signing goals. This role involves managing a project pipeline, collaborating with authors and peer reviewers to ensure the highest quality manuscripts for a diverse readership (general, professional, and academic), and overseeing a backlist of projects. The editor will be the primary point of contact for authors, fostering robust relationships with MIT faculty, advisors, and prospective authors. A key aspect of the role is exercising sound judgment to drive the growth and success of the MIT Press portfolio, with an emphasis on high-impact trade titles alongside professional and scholarly works.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• A minimum of five years of book acquisitions experience, preferably in a related field.
• Strong track record of book acquisitions, including trade books.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of publishing contracts and terms.
• Knowledge of the higher education community.
• Ability to work with academic authors.
• Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment.
• Ability to travel to campuses and conferences.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Strategically acquire and develop books in Trade, AcTrade, professional, and scholarly categories.
• Focus on significant topics in education, technology, computer science, and social sciences.
• Manage a pipeline of projects.
• Work with authors and peer reviewers to develop high-quality manuscripts.
• Oversee a backlist of projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with authors.
• Establish robust relationships with MIT faculty members and wider networks of advisors and prospective authors.
• Exercise good judgment to promote the growth and continued success of the MITP portfolio.

What This Job Offers

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