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Editor
HarperCollins
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Become a key player in one of the world’s largest publishers, HarperCollins Christian Publishing! As an Editor, you’ll work closely with publishers, editors, and designers who oversee Zondervan Trade Nonfiction, Zonderkidz, Curriculum, and Reference as well as Reflective titles. This editorial position is the liaison between publishing, design, production, and sales, creating products that are innovative and unique, specifically created for one of our worldwide retail partners (e.g. Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Hobby Lobby, Lifeway Christian Stores, etc.). The Editor is responsible for brainstorming ideas, creating imaginative products, project managing, copyediting, and general oversight up to printer-ready files in addition to attaining given revenue goals set for the team. This person will work with other staff members located in the Grand Rapids and Nashville offices. The Editor’s priority is first and foremost in overseeing up to 150 custom products per year ranging in subject matter and working with content from frontlist and backlist titles. If time allows, the Editor may also be asked to work in partnership with Acquisition Editors on special assignments such as manuscript review, product development, etc.
Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the Editor include but are not limited to:
Essential Responsibilities:
• Brainstorm potential products based on already acquired material (text, photographs, illustrations) and present ideas to Sales Team representatives.
• Meet monthly with publishers to stay up-to-date on incoming products, brands, and authors.
• Offer editorial insight on growing brands and product reach with newly designated titles that are specially packaged or repackaged.
• Inform decision making, planning, and execution on targeted products with knowledge of costs, timing, etc.
• Provide early assessment of editorial/freelance costs to inform gross margin financials run by the sales team.
• Review author contracts for special circumstances related to custom projects. Negotiate with authors and agents/seek approval in situations where royalty concessions are requested.
• Work with illustrators, review designs, and ensure timely delivery of interior and packaging files, based on FTV dates specified by Production Buyer.
• Execute editorial schedules revising as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements, communicating with team members on a weekly basis regarding critical dates.
• Write copy and ensure editorial excellence throughout development of product.
• Build and maintain service-department relationships* and processes for best-practice planning, collaboration, and communication (*Sales Team, Production, Contracts, Creative, etc.)
• Participate fully in weekly production rounds meetings.
• Resolve and/or escalate issues in a timely manner, providing first-response, fast-resolution, results-oriented problem solving with mid-course correction as necessary.
• Monitor costs in accordance with signed gross margin, and make timely and effective risk and feasibility assessments to maintain the budget.
• Perform substantive and developmental editorial work on select titles.
• Proofread back ad copy, catalog copy, and other marketing or packaging copy as needed.
Qualifications:
Desired candidate will possess the following knowledge, experience, education and skills:
Knowledge:
• Familiarity with the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style and the Chicago Manual of Style
Work Experience:
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience working as an editor for a book publisher.
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism and/or Business Administration
Industry Knowledge:
• General knowledge of the publishing industry and of how books are made in all publishing formats.
• Specific knowledge of Christian publishing is desirable, but not required.
Skills:
• Excellent written communication skills
• Finance or mathmatical skills a plus
• Proven project management and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven spelling and proofreading skills
• Above average knowledge of English grammar
• Able to distill numerous pieces of information and communicate key points to others
• Possess an aptitude for ascertaining and developing creative product packaging options
• Intermediate skill set of Microsoft Office products, especially Excel
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an equal opportunity employer