US Senior Editor

Pan Macmillan Ltd.; New York (NY); Remote; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing company is seeking a Senior Editor based in New York to drive growth by commissioning high-profile authors and titles. The role involves overseeing the publishing process from acquisition to publication, ensuring efficiency and creativity in project execution. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in commissioning and a strong understanding of the non-fiction market.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commissioning titles.
• Proactive in acquiring authors with compelling pitches.
• Keen commercial awareness of business and finance titles.

Responsibilities

• Commission high-profile authors and new titles (8-10 per year).
• Develop book concepts and provide structural editing.
• Ensure efficient publishing process and schedule adherence.

Skills

Proven experience commissioning successful titles and authors

Proactive approach to acquiring prospective authors

Commercial awareness of the non-fiction publishing market

Effective written and oral communication skills

Ability to organise, prioritise and manage workflow autonomously

Knowledge of the life cycle of a book

Job description

Your team:
Harriman House, part of the Pan Macmillan publishing group, is a UK-based but globally focused publisher operating in the business and finance space. We have established a really strong reputation in our sector by creating high-quality and highly respected titles and giving our authors an exceptional publishing experience. In recent years we have driven rapid growth in the business, particularly in the US, and are now looking for someone to join our small team to help us accelerate this growth by seeking out and commissioning high-profile authors and new titles for publication.

Your role:
As the US-based Senior Editor, you will commission high-profile authors and new titles for publication (circa 8-10 titles per year) and work with the wider Harriman House team to ensure the smooth running of the publishing process from acquisition to publication and beyond. You will be the driving force for book projects and will be involved in all aspects of the process as the books go from concept/proposal to finished publications.

Your key responsibilities:

• Seeking out and actively approaching potential authors to secure new titles by pitching the benefits of working with Harriman House

• Working with authors to develop the book concept, structure and content and providing structural editing

• Generating creative ideas to maximise the success of publication

• Presenting and pitching new titles at internal and external meetings

• Ensuring the publishing process is handled efficiently and on schedule by working closely with the Head of Production and the Editorial Assistant

• Reading and reporting on submissions.
  

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

• Proven experience commissioning successful titles and authors

• A proactive approach to acquiring prospective authors with the ability to make a compelling pitch

• Keen commercial awareness of the non-fiction publishing market, specifically for business, smart-thinking and finance titles

• Knowledge of the contemporary US and international book markets and the latest publishing developments and trends

• Effective written and oral communication skills

• Ability to organise, prioritise and manage workflow autonomously

• Excellent knowledge of the life cycle of a book and detailed editing, proofreading and copywriting skills.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Some experience in sales would be an advantage.

What you’ll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary starting from: $75,000

Closing date: June 82025

Location: New York (US-based remote workers may be considered)