This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
Editorial Director
Penguin Random House
Seattle, WA, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Editorial Director – Sasquatch Books
For over 20 years, Sasquatch Books has been one of the country’s leading independent publishers. Our distribution partnership with Penguin Random House Publisher Services set us on a growth trajectory. Sasquatch Books is currently seeking an Editorial Director. The Editorial Director will be instrumental in developing books that achieve new title sales of 10,000 copies and above in the first 12 months for 1/3 to 1/2 of our frontlist titles.
This individual will direct all aspects of the editorial program from idea development to commercial analysis to cost budgeting and collaborating actively with all departments within the press to publish books to their greatest market potential. The Editorial Director is a dynamic people person who cares passionately about books in our key subject areas. The ED possesses an extensive network of thought leaders, potential authors, agents, and other influencers that reaches deep throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as across the publishing industry nationally.
Primary responsibilities include:
Acquisitions Leadership:
• Initiate and appraise goals and strategy for Adult publishing program comprising 25-30 adult titles a year
• Lead Acquisitions team to generate compelling and commercial book ideas, find talent, and secure book contracts.
• Actively acquiring 7-10 A-list titles including contract negotiation with agents and authors
• Acquire, develop, and manage seasonal publishing lists.
• Lead new idea development on topics ranging from key subject areas, including running creative brainstorming sessions and working closely with the Publisher and President to assess publishing strategy and opportunities.
• Lead the press in developing and managing successful author relationships
• Mentor acquisitions editors and encourage career path and growth opportunities.
• Management team member contributing analysis and strategy that drives company growth and creates wealth for our owners, employees, and authors.
Book Development:
• Develop titles to their best market potential and work collaboratively with the in-house editorial, design, and production teams
• Work with writers to develop book concepts and proposals, fine-tune manuscripts, and hone content.
• Close collaboration with Design and Production to develop design and editorial content for acquired titles
• Developing and managing book budgets and editorial department budgets
• Manage contracts and editorial payments for all projects.
• Anticipate potential editorial and scheduling issues, devise alternate options or solutions and troubleshoot to ensure on-time delivery
Job Requirements:
• At least 5 years experience in a related position for a publisher with national distribution
• Ability to develop and manage an entire publishing program from product development to analysis of marketing and sales success
• Active experience with title acquisition, both in royalty and work-for-hire models
• Experience working with key subject areas in book publishing, magazines, or other related media
• Fluency in publishing contracts and ability to negotiate deals
• Proactive professional who is driven to set and exceed aggressive, quantifiable goals
• Excellent interpersonal relationships and communications skills across all mediums
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively under deadline pressure
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop colleagues in the Acquisitions group
• Basic understanding of publishing budgets and accounting
• Able/willing to travel as needed approximately 3-5 times a year
Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children’s publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 250 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children’s Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others.
Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.