Join the team at WJK! Title: Academic Acquisitions Editor
Location: Remote or Louisville, KY
Reports to: Vice President of Publishing/Editorial Director of WJK
Job Summary
Westminster John Knox Press, one of the most respected names in academic religion publishing, is seeking a full-time academic acquisitions editor to join our dynamic team. The editor will acquire content in a range of genres, with particular emphasis on books and textbooks in theological studies aimed at seminary and divinity school students, graduate school students, and upper-division undergraduates, with additional acquisitions in Bible, ethics, church history, and religion and culture. The editor will work with the editorial director and other acquisitions editors to identify potential authors, solicit and present proposals, and edit manuscripts. The editor will also collaborate with colleagues in production, marketing, and sales to best publish the works.
A successful candidate will have a strong background in academic research and scholarship in religion or related field of study with some editorial experience with a religion publisher, university press, textbook publisher, or trade publisher, or will have comparable relevant experience. A graduate degree in biblical studies, theology, or a related field is required, and a doctoral degree is highly preferred.
· Identify authors and support them in developing proposals and manuscripts
· Solicit and evaluate book proposals from authors and editors and assess their suitability for WJK
· Prepare manuscripts for production processes
· Participate in regular editorial meetings and publishing boards
· Maintain relationships with authors, editors, and editorial board chairs and members regarding their projects and series
· Remain a point of contact for authors/editors throughout the publication process
· Research market trends and develop new products to suit assigned markets and areas
· Manage the backlist in the assigned subject areas, making decisions on publishing potential and new editions of successful titles
· Present titles at sales conferences
· Participate in creative development of titles, descriptive copy, and covers for books acquired
· Occasional travel as required
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Qualifications
· Master’s degree in religion or related field required; a doctorate degree strongly preferred
· Proven experience in editing, academic research, publishing, or relevant work in a related field
· Excellent editing skills
· Excellent verbal and written English communication skills
· Ability to be flexible and juggle multiple assignments at any given time
· Excellent networking skills with connections in academic guilds and societies
· Creative, visionary thinker
· Ability to organize and prioritize
· Resourceful and proactive
· Excellent problem solver
· Diplomatic and collaborative
· Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment
· Ability to thrive in and contribute to a diverse, multicultural, progressive team environment
Benefits
WJK offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
· Medical, with optional Dental and Vision
· Fund defined benefit pension plan
· Optional 403 (b) with employer
· Flexible Spending Accounts
· Relocation package to Louisville, KY; deployed/remote work highly possible
WJK offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits in a positive and supportive environment. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. PPC believes that diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to anti-racism among our teammates is critical to our success. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. We celebrate diversity in our authors and the books we publish, and are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist workplace for all employees.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and a resume or curriculum vita via email to Dr. Bridgett A. Green at bgreen@wjkbooks.com. Application deadline is August 1, 2023.
About the Company
Westminster John Knox Press has a history dating to 1838. During that time, we have been privileged to publish such authors as Reinhold Niebuhr, Cornel West, Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Walter Brueggemann, Barbara Brown Taylor, Letty Russell, William Sloane Coffin, Kwok Pui-lan, Willie James Jennings, Justo González, and Catherine González. WJK is home to such groundbreaking works as Honest to God by John A.T. Robinson, The Women’s Bible Commentary edited by Carol Newsom, Sharon Ringe and Jacqueline Lapsley, Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin, Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women’s Lives Matter by Traci West, and respected series such as Interpretation, the Old Testament Library, the New Testament Library, William Barclay’s New Daily Study Bible, and Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Lectionary.
Today we publish approximately 50 new titles per year, with more than 2,000 in print.