Developmental Editor

RedBalloon; Florida; On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Charisma Media seeks a Developmental Editor to perform substantive edits and manage publishing projects for assigned authors. You will oversee content flow, accuracy, and alignment with editorial outlines, while supporting acquisition efforts and maintaining author communication.

This role requires coordinating with the Director of Product Development to ensure manuscripts progress through editing and production stages and to help drive publishing proposals and contracts to completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related area.
• Three years’ experience editing books; familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style.

Responsibilities

• Perform substantive edits for assigned projects; ensure content flow and accuracy.
• Assist acquisitions; develop publishing proposals and oversee author contracts.
• Maintain communication with authors; ensure manuscripts align with approved outlines.

Skills

Editing

Project management

Communication

Acquisition evaluation

Editorial feedback

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism/Communications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Adobe InDesign

Job description

Company: Charisma Media

RedBalloon posts jobs on behalf of client companies

Job Summary

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Developmental Editor completes substantive edits and acts as a project manager for authors as assigned by the Director of Product Development to ensure acceptable manuscript through editing and production phases and participates in book acquisitions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment at Charisma Media is usually very positive and upbeat due to the nature of our business but can also be stressful at times with deadlines, emergency projects, etc. A staff member of the product development department needs to be able to maintain an even-keeled, upbeat, positive attitude and be a catalyst of such in the building
• The noise level to be maintained in this work environment is mild to moderate

Responsibilities

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs substantive edits for assigned projects, including content flow and syntax; transitioning; tightening or expanding content as necessary; verification of statistics, scriptures, quoted material, and uncommon terminology; and all other substantive editing steps outlined in the Product Development SOP manual.
• Assists director as requested on acquisition matters, developing publishing proposals or conceptual outlines for some proposed projects, project managing authors as assigned at time of contract, supervising writing process, ensuring that the completed manuscript matches the conceptual outline approved by the acquisition team.
• Maintains communication with assigned authors regarding content issues until manuscripts are sent to the printer.
• Resolves all content issues flagged by copy editors.
• Provides scheduling input to maintain and track all book projects.
• Participates in departmental meetings and interdepartmental meetings as required.
• Maintains Book Group issues of style and quality.
• Abides by all policies and procedures of Charisma Media.
• Agrees with Charisma Media’s vision statement, beliefs, and values.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related area of study; three years’ experience editing books; experience with book proposal evaluations and publishing contracts; familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style
• Familiarity with charismatic/Pentecostal markets

Essential Skills

• Strong grasp of story and argument structure, with the ability to assess a manuscript's organization, pacing, voice and overall effectiveness
• Skill in delivering clear, constructive and diplomatic feedback that helps authors strengthen their work while preserving their voice
• Ability to evaluate book proposals and manuscripts for editorial quality, market potential and fit with the publisher's list and imprints
• Skill in researching comparable titles, sales history and market trends to support acquisition recommendations
• Ability to identify and cultivate perspective authors by assessing an author's platform, audience reach and ministry or media presence
• Experience preparing or contributing to book proposals, acquisition reports and presentations for publishing board review
• Basic understanding of profit-and-loss projections and publishing contract terms preferred
• Ability to track submissions and maintain organized records of prospects and pipeline titles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working collaboratively with authors, literary agents and internal teams
• Ability to manage multiple manuscripts and projects at various stages while meeting deadlines
• Strong understanding of audience, market and genre expectations, with familiarity with Christian and faith based publishing preferred
• Working knowledge of Scripture and the ability to evaluate theological accuracy and clarity
• Excellent command of the English language, including grammar, usage and style based on extensive knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style
• Detail oriented, accurate and efficient
• Ability to take direction and work independently

Clerical Skills

• Ability to type at least 50 words per minute
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word (including Track Changes and Comments), Excel and standard PC and internet applications
• Some knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Mac operations desirable

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear
• The employee is also required to stand and walk on a regular basis
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus