Senior Acquisitions Editor

Berrett-Koehler Publishers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: $94,156 (Executive Manager 5A,

Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, &

401K and ESOP; Paid Vacation & Sick

Job summary

Berrett-Koehler Publishers seeks a Senior Acquisitions Editor to acquire, sign, and develop twenty or more nonfiction projects annually in areas aligned with the company’s mission.

The role emphasizes building networks, developing manuscripts, and guiding authors through traditional and hybrid publication paths, with collaboration across an editorial team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ experience as an acquisitions editor of nonfiction.
• Knowledge of core nonfiction areas: general business and management, current affairs and societal change, personal growth.
• Active networks and the ability to identify/sign promising authors.
• Willingness to develop manuscripts and provide editorial coaching.
• Ability to prepare book tip sheets and P&Ls for contracts.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, sign, and develop twenty or more book projects per year.
• Sign both traditional and hybrid/cost-share titles for Montgomery Station Press.
• Collaborate with editorial team to shape structure and messaging.
• Build and leverage author networks and scouting circles.
• Present projects for approval to Editorial Boards and prepare contracts.

Skills

Acquisitions experience

Editorial development

Author networks

Hybrid/traditional publishing

Job description

SENIOR ACQUISITIONS EDITORBerrett-Koehler’s mission is to connect people and ideas to create a world that works for all. We have operated under this mission for over thirty-four years as an independent publisher, now distributed globally by Penguin Random House. We publish books and digital products that aim to drive positive change in individuals, organizations, and society. We are a California Benefit Corporation, which means we are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workforce and achieving sustainability goals. We offer a work environment that is participative, flexible, and creative. We seek staff members who bring cultural, ethnic, social, and intellectual diversity to Berrett-Koehler. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About this Role

We are seeking a Senior Acquisitions Editor responsible for acquiring, signing, and developing twenty or more book projects per year in the nonfiction fields of general business and management, current affairs and societal change, personal growth, and other areas consistent with our mission. The titles may be signed as traditional publications or as hybrid projects with a cost-share investment by authors under our Montgomery Station Press imprint. You must be based in California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, or Washington State and authorized to work in the United States. The position is preferred to work from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Pacific time, but hours can be discussed during the interview process. This position requires a background check from a third-party company. Candidates will be required to provide permission to commence background checks after a formal offer letter from the company has been accepted.

Please include a mandatory cover letter in addition to your resume that addresses the following: Why you are interested in this position How it fits your experience and qualifications

• Your experience with networks, groups, and circles, professional and otherwise, from which you can scout and sign promising authors with established presences
• The skills, achievements, and networks you bring to be effective and productive in your work
• What attracts you to Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Purpose

• Maintain the BK publication program to achieve the company’s mission through the acquisitions and development of twenty or more new publications and new editions per year.
• Advance BK’s distinctive ways of acting as a steward of publications and partnering with authors to help BK succeed in the marketplace, in line with its mission
• Partner in increasing BK’s profitability and financial health

Requirements

You have a minimum of five years’ experience as an acquisition's editor of nonfiction books. You are knowledgeable about acquisitions in one or more of our core nonfiction areas: general business and management, current affairs and societal change, and personal growth. You have active (and expanding) networks, groups, and circles from which you can identify and sign promising authors. You are willing and able to pound the pavement (digitally and otherwise) to find authors. You are willing to engage in substantive editorial work and project development of your books to actively shape the structure, messaging, and thrust of the works and ensure high quality and caliber of publications. You are excited to work with an editorial team that supports your efforts and collaborates with you on projects as needed, and with whom you will also share your support, knowledge, and guidance. You want to work for a mission-driven company that takes a collaborative approach. You are able to acquire both traditional books for us as well as hybrid/cost-share titles for our Montgomery Station Press imprint. You are able to provide focused, in-depth editorial coaching, development, and guidance to authors from publication concept to final manuscript. You are able to prepare book tip sheets and P & Ls for the publications board and present projects for approval to the Editorial and Publication Boards to offer contracts.

Benefits

• Salary: $94,156 (Berrett-Koehler has a published salary schedule for all positions. The salary for this position corresponds to an Executive Manager Level 5A at 100% time and is non-negotiable)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance Flexible Spending Account plan, 401K and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Paid Vacation, Sick Days, and Holidays