Acquisition Editor

Job Description

Incumbent makes recommendations regarding authors, topics and market segments for books and related ancillary products across multiple print and electronic formats. Incumbent recruits, retains and maintains excellent relationships and communication with authors, serving as their champion within OSV as well as within the broader Catholic publishing industry. As part of the critical process of recruiting new authors to OSV, incumbent becomes an active face and voice of OSV by sharing their industry expertise with the community via author newsletters, website articles, conference presentations and other similar activities. This role also helps authors leverage their existing platforms as well as ensure the author's own promotional efforts are aligned with ones developed internally using OSV's promotional platforms and capabilities.

Essential Job Functions:
• Acquire and developmentally edit 10 new books per year.
• Identify and recommend Catholic authors who have strong platforms (or potential platforms) on topics of interest to OSV market segments .
• Win, recruit and develop new authors and maintain strong relationships with existing authors.
• Work with OSV Marketing to coach authors, particularly new authors, on building a successful author platform to maximize the impact of their ideas.
• Work with authors to shape content effectively and communicate clearly regarding deadlines and deliverables in keeping with OSV standards.
• Structurally edit manuscripts to better position the book to engage and help readers.
• Review manuscripts; authorize and request any significant content changes; confirm that changes have been made and accept the manuscript or product.
• Collaborate with Editorial Team (Publisher, Senior Managing Editor and others on author acquisition team) and Publishing Committee in planning book schedules and seasons.
• Attend Catholic and/or books conferences to keep abreast of current events and developments in the Catholic Church, and to meet prospective authors.
• Share expertise with the community of Catholic writers via author newsletters, website articles, conference presentations and other similar activities.

Related Duties:
• Participate in the implementation of OSV's Strategic Plan for Catholic Books.
• Analyze profitability of proposed products for publication, establish production parameters, initiate feasibility studies and submit final proposal to Publishing Committee (including Publisher, Marketing and Editorial representatives).
• Negotiate and oversee contractual terms with authors, artists and designers, including payment of advances and making sure authors, artists and designers have fulfilled their contracted obligations, particularly with regard to manuscript delivery schedules.
• Recommend titles for books to maximize appeal within target market segment(s).
• Release approved manuscripts or products to the Senior Managing Editor and be available for any questions during the editing process
• Coordinate with diocesan censors for Imprimatur as necessary
• Provide Marketing colleagues with necessary editorial information for marketing of books
• Collaborate with the Design Team to assist in the conceptualization and design of book covers
• Review, correct, and approve interior design samples of books
• Accomplish other duties as assigned by the Publisher

Requirements:

Experience/Skills:
• The ideal candidate brings five or more years of extensive knowledge of the Catholic Church and the Catholic book market as well as industry contacts, writing and editing experience, and strong ability to win new authors and maintain excellent relationships
• Minimum of five years in a church related work field or environment
• Experience acquiring Catholic books and an existing network of proven authors who could potentially write for OSV
• Experience managing relationships on behalf of a publishing/media company or Catholic ministry
• Strong working knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style
• Ability to set and adhere to deadlines on short- and long-term projects with minimal supervision

Education:
• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field of study
• Degree or work in Catholic Theology is desirable

Working Environment:
• On site or remote
• Must be able to sit for the majority of shift
• May be required to travel a few times a year
• Must keep up to date on market demand and trends

Supervisory Responsibilities:
• None

About the Employer

OSV's mission is To Champion the Catholic Church.