How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Summary
The University of Michigan Press is looking for a Senior Acquiring Editor to help grow and develop the Press’s prestigious and long-standing list in political science and international relations. The Senior Editor is responsible for a variety of editorial and project management tasks supporting the acquisition and promotion of book-length scholarly monographs in open access and restricted access format, as well as related text and trade titles as needed. The position works iteratively and in a collegial way with authors, editorial assistants, freelancers, and internal production and marketing staff to project manage the creation of high quality digital and print products in the Press’s core nonfiction subject categories. The Senior Acquiring Editor reports to the Editorial Director for the University of Michigan Press.
The University of Michigan Press is part of the University of Michigan Library in Ann Arbor which is one of the world’s largest academic research libraries and serves a vibrant university community that is home to 19 schools and colleges, 100 top ten graduate programs, and annual research expenditures exceeding $1.5 billion a year. To enable the university’s world-changing work and to serve the public good, the library collects, preserves, and shares the scholarly and cultural record in all existing and emerging forms, and leads the reinvention of the academic research library in the digital age.
The Library is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work. See our Diversity Strategic Plan .
Responsibilities*
Acquisitions:
- Sign a product mix of at least 25 new titles per year, in line with a coherent, intellectually robust, growth-oriented plan for the Press’s lists in scholarly monographs in political science and international relations,building on the strong foundation and fields that have made these lists a success. Work closely with series editors to ensure that series continue to foster innovative work that is respected in the field.
- Solicit reviews from external referees and instructors, keeping review schedules on track and ensuring a diverse pool of reviewers.
- Develop and maintain productive and collegial working relationships with key faculty both locally and at other campuses, as well as series editors.
- Remain current with publishing trends and developments in relevant disciplines in order to incubate new publishing ideas and contribute to the development of long-term Press strategy.
- A commitment to lifting up marginalized voices and bringing the lens of equity and inclusion to acquiring and developing work.
- Work with authors and funders to pursue subventions that support open access and monograph publication.
Editorial:
- Manage all necessary editorial aspects of the publishing process while working closely, collaboratively and collegially with the acquisitions, sales and marketing, production, technology, and finance departments.
- Work with the Editorial Assistants/Associates to interface between author and production team, ensuring good communication and that deadlines are met.
- Ensuring the transmittal of at least 20 manuscripts a year into production, working closely with Editorial Assistants/Associates.
Marketing and Outreach:
- Travel as needed to staff exhibits (handle onsite sales, provide product information) and represent the Press.
- Work with the marketing department to create promotional copy (catalog, postcard, website, cover) and to seek endorsements from experts in the field, seeking a diversity of perspectives.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Five years’ proven track record in signing academic books, or equivalent experience.
- Understands and values diversity and the importance of inclusion as demonstrated through a commitment to apply and incorporate the differences, complexities, and opportunities that diversity brings to an organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
Desired Qualifications*
Advanced degree in Political Science or related field.
Work Schedule
40 hours/week; typically Monday – Friday, day-time shifts. The strong preference is for working onsite in Ann Arbor, but we will consider a remote work arrangement for exceptional candidates.
Additional Information
The person in this position travels as needed to staff exhibits (handle onsite sales, provide product information) and represent the Press. The position has functional supervision of a 0.5 FTE portion of Editorial Assistant/Associates.The position may also supervise students and temporary staff members as needed.
The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off (24 vacation days per year, and 15 days sick leave a year), matched retirement contributions with immediate vesting, professional development opportunities, and more. TIAA and Fidelity Investments’ retirement benefits are available.
The person in this position would need to be able to navigate the facility using short flights of stairs. For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact libraryjobs@umich.edu .
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
234034
Working Title
Senior Acquiring Editor
Job Title
Acquisitions Editor Senior
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Univ Library
Department
Mich Publishing-Acquisitions
Posting Begin/End Date
5/02/2023 – 6/04/2023
Salary
$70,000.00 – $78,000.00
Career Interest
Communications & Marketing
Libraries & Museums