Job Description:

• Acquires approximately 25 trade, scholarly, and course-adoption books per year to meet fiscal goals of department. Develops publication proposals including descriptions of books, assessments of review processes, evaluations of market viability, profit and loss analyses, and royalty arrangements. Presents proposals to editorial committee and faculty Board of Publications.
• Develops network of authors and advisers within the relevant professional and academic fields. Analyzes and interprets advice from qualified academic referees and arranges formal reviews.
• Uses in-depth knowledge of publication business to propose contract terms to management and negotiates contracts with authors, agents, and co-publishers for books acquired.
• Engages routinely with scholarly societies, museums, and experts at the University of Chicago and beyond as sources of potential collaborations.
• Supervises and mentors an editorial associate. May supervise one or more editors at the editorial directorâ™s request.
• Provides expertise of publication business to propose contract terms to management and negotiates contracts with authors, agents, and co-publishers for books acquired.
• Collaborates with other Press departments to ensure that accepted books are given the appropriate level of editing, design, production, and marketing. Acts as a lead representative for the Press at scholarly and publishing meetings globally.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Advance degree.

Experience:

• Seven or more years of experience in book publishing as an acquisitions editor, with at least four years experience in fields related to art and/or ancient studies.
• Proven knowledge of book publishing and a record engaging and cultivating the ideas of authors.
• Demonstrable track record of trade, scholarly, and/or professional acquisitions.
• Leadership experience in initiatives relevant to the positionâ™s management responsibilities.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Excellent computer skills in PC environment and knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and database skills.

Preferred Competencies

• Familiarity with needs of scholarly and trade books, and with the academic field of art history.
• Understanding of trends in scholarly and trade publishing, and in relevant subject areas.
• Intellectual and entrepreneurial skills to develop book projects that contribute significantly to the Pressâ™s editorial profile and financial health.
• Excellent verbal, analytical, critical-thinking, and negotiation skills.
• Strong time-management skills, including ability to meet deadlines, set priorities among projects, and manage correspondence efficiently and decisively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build close working relationships with colleagues and larger professional and scholarly communities.
• Understanding of industry standards for book acquisitions, including familiarity with peer review, rights, and digital publishing environment.
• Proficiency with computers, including ability to adapt quickly to new electronic systems and tools.
• Capacity to fund-raise for books projects.

Working Conditions

• Domestic and occasionally international travel.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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