University of Rochester Advancement · 2 months ago
Acquisitions Editor, UR Press
Rush Rhees Library
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$77K/yr - $116K/yr
4+ years expThe University of Rochester is dedicated to advancing a culture of inclusivity and excellence. As an Acquisitions Editor at UR Press, you will expand the publishing program by acquiring and developing new titles, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring timely project delivery.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Deliver growth and profitability targets by signing and publishing new series and titles
Develop and execute strategic plans to grow assigned subject areas and disciplines
Identify key growth areas within academic fields; align with press goals
Collaborate with editorial board and senior leadership to align acquisitions with mission and revenue goals
Solicit and secure high-impact monographs, edited volumes, and series
Monitor performance of acquired titles to inform future list strategy
Conduct market research to identify trends and gaps. Build relationships with authors, series editors, and thought leaders
Perform competitive analysis and stay informed of developments in key academic disciplines
Track gaps in coverage in the existing catalog and assess feasibility of new subject areas
Cultivate relationships with scholars, researchers, and institutional partners
Identify and assess potential series editors and advisory board members
Assess proposals and manuscripts for quality, relevance, and market potential. Negotiate contracts and oversee projects from proposal to publication, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery
Evaluate new submissions, vet with peer reviewers or editorial board
Guide authors through revisions and feedback loops
Negotiate and finalize contracts in collaboration with contracts/legal team
Manage editorial schedules and ensure titles meet budget and timeline goals
Maintain accurate records in editorial and tracking systems
Work closely with the Senior Acquisitions Editor, Editorial and Advisory Boards, and Boydell & Brewer teams (Editorial, Production, Marketing, Sales) to ensure smooth workflows
Participate in regular editorial and cross-departmental meetings
Liaise with production, marketing, and sales on launch timelines, metadata, and positioning
Coordinate with peer review panels or internal boards
Contribute to internal documentation, workflow optimization, and process improvements
Mentor or train junior editorial staff, if applicable
Represent the Press at academic conferences and industry events. Build networks to enhance our reputation and attract top author and series editor talent
Attend and exhibit at relevant scholarly conferences
Organize or moderate panels or sessions at academic events
Follow up with prospective authors post-conference
Share feedback from academic communities with internal teams
Develop long-term institutional relationships
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
4+ years in publishing, acquisitions, or editorial roles
Proven success in academic publishing, ideally in acquisitions
Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities and execute plans
Strong project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities
Solid understanding of academic publishing, including funding and scholarly communication trends
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong negotiation and contract management abilities
Collaborative and self-motivated team player
Preferred
Masters degree or higher in a relevant field
2-3 years direct experience managing author relationships
2-3 years' experience evaluating proposals/manuscripts or negotiating contracts
Familiarity with CMS or editorial tracking systems
Company
University of Rochester Advancement
The University of Rochester, one of the nation’s top private research universities, has built a national caliber advancement program in support of the largest campaign in the University’s history.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase