Senior Editor, Art & Entertainment
About The Position
Chronicle Books is seeking a creative and entrepreneurial Senior Editor to join our Art & Entertainment Publishing Group. The editor will play a critical role in developing a commercially successful and creatively ambitious list that brings together art, design, entertainment, pop culture, visual nonfiction, and innovative gift formats. The role combines a strong commercial approach to Art & Entertainment acquisitions with particular responsibility for developing and strengthening Chronicle’s Art list, identifying distinctive projects, voices, and opportunities that can expand its reach. The ideal candidate is a proactive originator with a great eye, strong market instincts, deep industry connections, and a passion for discovering and developing projects that feel fresh, relevant, and unmistakably Chronicle. We are looking for someone with experience across traditional and novelty formats, excellent editorial and commercial judgment, and a collaborative spirit that thrives in a design-forward, team-oriented publishing environment.
Requirements
- A minimum of 5–7 years of trade publishing experience, with a strong record of acquiring, editing, and publishing successful books and/or gift products.
- Demonstrated ability to originate and develop commercially viable and creatively ambitious projects across illustrated nonfiction, art, entertainment, or novelty formats.
- Significant editorial taste paired with commercial instincts.
- Strong interest in and knowledge of art and visual culture.
- Established relationships and industry contacts across publishing and relevant creative communities.
- Exceptional editorial judgment and copywriting ability.
- Skill to identify emerging cultural and marketplace opportunities and translate them into compelling publishing ideas.
- Comfortable negotiating contracts and managing project budgets, schedules, and multiple priorities.
- Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively across highly collaborative teams.
- Self-motivated, resourceful, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Management or mentoring experience is preferred for Senior Editor candidates.
Responsibilities
- Originate, acquire, and develop approximately 10–14 titles annually across art, design, entertainment, pop culture, humor, visual nonfiction, media tie-ins, and innovative gift formats, with particular responsibility for building a strong and dynamic Art list.
- Identify emerging cultural trends, provide strategic and commercial insight across Art & Entertainment, cultivate and expand relationships with authors, and evaluate potential acquisitions through both creative and commercial lenses.
- Negotiate deal terms, lead the editorial process from acquisition through publication, shape the positioning of titles for the marketplace and advocate for them internally.
- Contribute ideas and perspective to broader category and publishing-group strategy.
- Mentor and support the professional development of an editorial assistant and editorial fellow.
- Represent Chronicle Books and the Art & Entertainment list at industry events.
- Support team and company goals and initiatives while championing a diverse, curious, commercially minded, and forward-thinking publishing vision.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k
- Profit share plan
- Three weeks of paid vacation to start
- Two weeks of sick time per year
- Company holidays, including a paid winter break between Christmas Day and New Year's Day
- Paid family, maternity, and paternity leave
- Commuter benefits
- Long-term disability insurance
- Annual tuition assistance
- Annual wellness stipend
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
