Acquisitions Editor

Harvarduniversity; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard Education Press (HEP), an independent university press affiliated with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is seeking an Acquisitions Editor in Cambridge, MA. The role focuses on acquiring 15–20 books yearly across education research, policy, and practice, with a mix of commissioned titles.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in publishing/education, strong editorial judgment, and a collaborative style.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of related professional experience in publishing and/or education.
• Knowledge of the education sector, including current research and issues in K-12 and higher education.
• Academic/professional publishing background strongly preferred, with a track record of outstanding acquisitions.
• Proven editorial judgment; excellent communication and networking abilities.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently; strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• HEP will consider remote applicants, but Cambridge office attendance 3 days per week is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Acquire 15-20 academic/professional and/or trade books per year in education research, policy, and practice; half must be commissioned.
• Identify new areas of interest and expand publishing lists in areas like educational leadership and education policy.
• Solicit, develop, evaluate proposals, identify reviewers, manage peer review, and present to the Editorial Advisory Board.
• Work with authors to revise proposals and manuscripts to meet Press standards.
• Collaborate with production, marketing, and sales to reach target readerships.

Skills

Editorial judgment

Excellent communication

Networking abilities

Self-motivation

Interpersonal skills

Team-oriented

Job description

Job Summary

Harvard Education Press (HEP) is a mission-driven, independent, university press affiliated with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Founded in 2002, the Press is overseen by an editorial advisory board drawn from the HGSE faculty and affiliated practitioners, and peer review is at the heart of our publishing process. The HEP offices are adjacent to campus in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.

Our mission is to provide practitioners and policymakers with the knowledge, tools, and information they need to understand and address the educational issues facing our society today and tomorrow. As a forum for the variety of thought in the field, we drive the conversation about education.

Acquisitions Editor

HEP is seeking an Acquisitions Editor to acquire books on critical issues in education, books which translate educational research into practice, and books on education for a general audience. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the discipline of education, experience in academic and/or trade publishing, editorial expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to advancing the mission of Harvard Education Press.

Part of what makes HEP unique is the close, collaborative editorial relationship authors can expect in working with us—the Acquisitions Editor is therefore responsible for developing the titles they sign, from contract to publication.

The Acquisitions Editor will also help manage a talented team of interns and freelance support as needed.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• The Acquisitions Editor is expected to acquire 15-20 academic/professional and/or trade books per year in the fields of education research, policy, and practice. HEP receives many unsolicited proposals. Half of the acquisitions editor's signings each year must be commissioned by the editor.
• The Acquisitions Editor will contribute to the HEP editorial program by maintaining and expanding current publishing lists and identifying new areas of interest. The current publishing program strengths include such areas as educational leadership, instructional improvement, race and equity in education, and education policy.
• The Acquisitions Editor solicits, develops, and evaluates proposals in consultation with editorial colleagues; identifies appropriate reviewers and manages the peer review process; and presents proposals to the HEP Editorial Advisory Board.
• The Acquisitions Editor works with authors to develop and revise both proposals and manuscripts to ensure they incorporate feedback from peer reviewers and meet Press standards.
• The Acquisitions Editor works closely with colleagues in production to ensure a smooth workflow and consults regularly with colleagues in marketing and sales to ensure books reach their target readerships.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of related professional experience in publishing and/or education.
• Occasional travel required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Academic/professional publishing background strongly preferred, with a track record of outstanding acquisitions.
• Knowledge of the education sector, including current research and issues in K-12 and higher education strongly preferred.
• Proven editorial judgment; excellent communication and networking abilities; proven initiative; self-motivated with ability to work independently; strong interpersonal skills; collaborative and team oriented.
• HEP will consider remote applicants, however, the ability to come into the Cambridge offices 3 days per week is strongly preferred.

Standard Hours/Schedule

35 hours per week

Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable)

$80,000 - $87,000 commensurate with experience

Visa Sponsorship Information

Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening

Identity and Education

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salar