Acquisitions Editor/Senior Acquisitions Editor - Arts & Crafts

Description To seek out and acquire the best possible authors for Bloomsbury’s arts and crafts imprint Herbert Press, working closely with the UK-based editorial and production teams and overseeing the titles through the editorial stages, from manuscript delivery to publication. Commissioning mainly color titles, the role requires building relationships and working with authors, museum and gallery clients, agents (occasionally), freelancers, photographers, illustrators, and designers. In addition, this position also includes seeking out partnerships with relevant associations and institutions such as museums and art galleries to build the Philip Wilson Publishers (PWP) list in the US market.

Key Responsibilities

• Seek out and acquire new titles for Herbert Press
• Seek out and acquire new partnerships and titles with American institutions and associations for PWP.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity, develop a network of contacts and represent Bloomsbury, Herbert Press and PWP at conferences and events as required
• Establish and maintain good relationships with a wide range of authors and publishing partners.
• Devise new series and stand-alone titles based on market needs.
• Achieve short and long-term signing and publishing targets.
• Ensure a timely and cost-effective front-list program.
• Manage the subject-specific backlist and look for ways to repurpose content.
• Seize opportunities to develop innovative digital products.
• Oversee the completion of projects from proposal to publication by working effectively with other departments, primarily: editorial, marketing, sales, production, and design.
• Be the dynamic face of the lists and Bloomsbury to authors and the wider arts and crafts community in the US.
• Working closely with editorial colleagues in the UK to ensure a cohesive, strategically aligned publishing program.

Requirements

• Exceptional knowledge of the US arts and crafts book market and key industry figures
• Excellent interpersonal skills – a confident and deft approach to communicating with authors, curators and others in the field in addition to in-house and external colleagues
• Experience in art and crafts book publishing and a track record of acquiring books, ideally developing a list
• Ability to negotiate effectively – contracts, schedules, editorial conflicts
• Experience in project managing color books from manuscript delivery to publication
• Exceptional organizational, time management and prioritization skills
• Excellent writing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database skills
• Eye for attractive and user-friendly design and layout
• A commitment to, and highly developed skills in, assessing market needs
• Excellent project management capabilities
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher) necessary
• General knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator an advantage
• Excellent copywriting skills

Location: Candidates ideally will be within the NY tri-state area and are able to work on a hybrid schedule from our NYC office, however, we are open to fully remote for the right candidate. Equal Opportunity Employment Bloomsbury Publishing USA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our company has a policy of providing equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, sex, ethnicity, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We welcome and celebrate talent from all backgrounds and believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial elements to our success. We are dedicated to actively and continuously improving our practices to better support all of our employees.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid parental leave
• Hybrid Work Schedule

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