Senior Editor, Art & Entertainment

Chronicle Books; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit share plan

Three weeks paid vacation to start

Paid winter break between Christmas & 

Job summary

Chronicle Books is seeking a creative Senior Editor to join our Art & Entertainment Publishing Group in San Francisco. You will originate, acquire, and develop 10–14 titles annually, shaping a dynamic Art list with an eye for visually driven nonfiction, design and pop culture.

You will negotiate deals, steer editorial direction, and collaborate across teams to deliver commercially viable and creatively ambitious projects while supporting a diverse, inclusive publishing vision.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of trade publishing experience and proven ability to acquire, edit and publish successful illustrated books or gift products.
• Ability to originate and develop commercially viable and creatively ambitious projects across art, design, entertainment, or novelty formats.
• Strong editorial judgment and copywriting ability, with excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Originate, acquire and develop approximately 10–14 titles annually across art, design, entertainment, and novelty formats.
• Build and strengthen Chronicle's Art list through distinctive projects and strategic market insight.
• Negotiate terms, guide editorial process from acquisition to publication, and mentor junior staff.

Skills

Editorial judgment

Commercial instincts

Industry relationships

Copywriting

Project management

Job description

Description

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.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Editor will 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. They will 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. They will negotiate deal terms, lead the editorial process from acquisition through publication, shape the positioning of titles for the marketplace and advocate for them internally. They will contribute ideas and perspective to broader category and publishing-group strategy, and mentor and support the professional development of an editorial assistant and editorial fellow. The Senior Editor will also represent Chronicle Books and the Art & Entertainment list at industry events, while supporting team and company goals and initiatives while championing a diverse, curious, commercially minded, and forward-thinking publishing vision. Please note that this job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role but is not an exhaustive list. We’re a collaborative team, and responsibilities may evolve to meet changing priorities and opportunities.

Hiring Salary Range

$84,000 - $96,500. This range represents the anticipated low and high end of the expected salary for this position and will be determined by factors including, but not limited to, an applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is eligible for our profit share plan.

Benefits

Chronicle Books offers a full suite of benefits, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, a profit share plan, three weeks of paid vacation to start, two weeks of sick time per year, and 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, and more.

Schedule

Employees at Chronicle Books will follow a regular hybrid schedule in our San Francisco office of at least three (3) in-office days per week and up to five (5) in-office days per week, depending on project and business needs. Please note that this job description is not designed to cover all the activities required of the employee.

About Us

Founded in 1967 in San Francisco, Chronicle Books is one of the world’s most admired publishers and distributors of illustrated books, gifts, and games for all ages. Its highly acclaimed list spans art, photography, food, lifestyle, pop culture, humor, self-help, wellness, children’s books, and stationery, among other categories. Chronicle is the home of numerous award-winning authors, bestselling series, and trend-setting titles. Chronicle Books is committed to partnering with artists, writers, and business partners who represent the diversity of our world and to fostering an inclusive company culture that respects and promotes diverse backgrounds and points of view. For more information visit www.chroniclebooks.com.

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 is required along with a demonstrated ability to originate and develop commercially viable and creatively ambitious projects across illustrated nonfiction, art, entertainment, or novelty formats. A significant editorial taste paired with commercial instincts, a strong interest in and knowledge of art and visual culture, and established relationships and industry contacts across publishing and relevant creative communities are also required. Applicants should have exceptional editorial judgment and copywriting ability, the skill to identify emerging cultural and marketplace opportunities and translate them into compelling publishing ideas, while being comfortable negotiating contracts and managing project budgets, schedules, and multiple priorities. Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across highly collaborative teams are needed, and applicants should be self-motivated, resourceful, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines. Management or mentoring experience is preferred for Senior Editor candidates.