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JOB OPENING

Position: Acquisitions Editor, Baker Academic

Department: Editorial

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Baker Publishing Group; 6030 E. Fulton St., Ada, MI 49301

About this position:

Baker Academic is currently accepting applications for a full-time acquisitions editor (rank dependent upon experience). The primary responsibility of the position is to acquire new publishing projects in a variety of seminary-related disciplines that will serve professors and students while contributing to the long-term fiscal success of the company.

The successful candidate will hold a graduate degree in a ministerial or theological discipline, have at least five years of book industry experience (acquisitions experience preferred), and possess a nuanced understanding of the world of theological higher education. In addition, the candidate should be a self-starter with proven ability to network effectively, to identify successful publishing projects, and to bring ideas to fruition. The position is based onsite at Baker Publishing Group's main office in Ada, MI, a suburb of Grand Rapids, though a remote work arrangement is possible for a candidate with sufficient acquisitions experience. Travel is required.

Primary Responsibilities:

Acquisitions:

• Acquire sixteen to twenty books per year, paying attention to fiscal benchmarks as well as to quality standards.
• Focus on intentional acquisitions of books with text and reference potential, especially in standard areas of the seminary curriculum.
• Seek out new authors and nurture existing author relationships by traveling to appropriate conferences, campuses, conventions, etc.
• Build a strong network of acquisitions-related contacts and maintain regular communication with strategic authors and advisors.
• Evaluate solicited as well as unsolicited proposals and manuscripts and provide prompt and professional responses.
• Meet regularly with acquisitions colleagues to review proposals, coordinate acquisitions, and manage the Baker Academic list.
• Recommend titles for publication at regular publishing board meetings, preparing high-quality materials to facilitate the decision-making process.

Project development and publishing process:

• Publish sixteen to twenty high-quality and fiscally sound titles per year.
• Work with authors as they prepare their contracted books, providing assistance with manuscript development, assessment of initial drafts, and recommendations for improvement, using outside readers when appropriate.
• Assist authors with manuscript preparation, including foreign fonts and any other unusual aspects.
• When applicable, work with acquisitions assistant to coach author through the process of obtaining permissions, preparing illustrations, and developing ancillary web content.
• Work with acquisitions assistant and project editors/managing editor to keep projects on schedule and provide appropriate handoff information to project editors.
• Represent acquired titles in titling meetings, positioning meetings, and sales conferences.
• Pursue, in conjunction with sales and marketing, strong forewords, potential endorsers, and other marketing connections.
• Review catalog and cover copy and give feedback on book cover designs.

Contributions to division and company:

• Participate in Baker Academic strategic meetings (and other meetings of a strategic nature), providing input and perspective to help shape divisional strategies.
• Participate in book performance review meetings and conversations, learning from the past in order to make better publishing decisions in the future.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues in Editorial, Sales, and Marketing (and Production, Design, and Visual Communications).
• Represent Baker Academic in various academic and professional settings.

Compensation and Benefits:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a full time position, benefits offered include health, dental, vision, group life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, 401(k) after three months, and others.

Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, serves the academy and the church by publishing high-quality works that bring Christian faith to bear on the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and human flourishing.

Baker Publishing Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

As a company that believes in the inherent diversity reflected in the kingdom of God, Baker Book House Company is committed to the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the books we publish, in our community of employees, and in the way we conduct ourselves in our workplace and in the marketplace.