Job Description

Overview

Tommy Nelson is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation.

Tommy Nelson is a leading childrens publisher in the inspirational market, historically partnering with best-selling authors such as Max Lucado, Sarah Young, Kathie Lee Gifford, Sadie Robertson, Louie Giglio and many others. And we want your help in acquiring new fantastic books and meaningful voices for children, bringing your skills and vision to our roster. The acquisitions editor must research trends, understand the process of book publishing, and be knowledgeable about the childrens market. Books to acquire will be for ages 0-18 in all formats, such as board books, picture books, juvenile fiction, YA nonfiction, etc. The acquisitions editor is responsible for cultivating author and agent relationships, for providing editorial guidance and feedback, for crafting support materials, and for partnering with colleagues on publishing expectations.

Responsibilities

* Actively acquire 15-20 new titles and authorsconsistent with publishing strategy and financial goals.
* Research the market for every project, search competition, write proposals, present proposals to editorial, sales, authors.

* Maintain a consistent and multi-faceted publishing pipeline, in accordance with the Publisher and publishing team strategy and philosophy.

* Proactively participate in regular acquisitions conversations, editorial meetings, and pub boards.

* Identify market trends and felt needs of readers.

* Acquire with general understanding of the faith-based market and reader.

* Present publishing offers to agents and authors and negotiate the key deal points.

* Maintain and strengthen core tenets of author relationships.

* Maintain contact with authors and agents under contract for new titles, monitor their progress toward submission, and determine if the submitted manuscript is acceptable.

* Provide timely, well-crafted communication with current and potential authors and their agents regarding the status of their proposals and/or future projects and backlist titles.

* Participate in creative development of titles, descriptive copy, and covers for books acquired.

* Understanding of a macro level edit and ability to offer feedback and suggestions to the author toward improvement.

* Work with sales, operations, and publisher to ensure acquisitions will meet financial vision.

* Present titles at sales conference.

* Create ideas for proprietary books and brands.

Qualifications

Knowledge: Ability to accurately, efficiently, and economically perform the above duties, resulting in quality books that reflect editorial excellence and support the HCCP mission statement.

Expert market knowledge, proven ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external constituencies.

Work Experience: Minimum 3-5 years editorial experience or other relevant publishing experience, required. Acquisitions experience strongly preferred.

Education: Bachelors Degree in English, Writing, Journalism, Publishing, or equivalent degree required.

Industry Knowledge: Working knowledge of the trade book market, leading authors, and agents is strongly required. Experience creating childrens, teen nonfiction books, or four-color activity books preferred.

Skills:

* Ability to work collaboratively with authors, vendors, managing and production editors, and marketing in bringing products to a successful launch.
* Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills

* Excellent editing, proofreading and communication skills; ability to work with authors in developing content.

* Confident in negotiations

* Ability to juggle multiple assignments at any given time and meet deadlines successfully and within budget.

* Creative, visionary thinker with the ability to evaluate and conceive worthwhile product ideas.

* Decisive, well organized, strategic planner

* Ability to articulate in writing and speech a convincing case for new products; including making publications board and sales conference presentations.

* Relationship builder, networking ability

* Understanding of Christian consumers and familiarity with Christian authors, preferred.

* Keen attention to detail

* Diplomatic and collaborative

* Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment

* Must be able to travel as needed

* Time management skills

* Well organized and able to manage multiple tasks/priorities

* Creative, analytical, capable of meeting deadlines and following schedules

* Good interpersonal skills

* Team player

* Confident

* Self-starter

* High integrity and discernment

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Locations US-TN-Nashville

Category Editorial

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. EEO/AA/M/F/Disabled/Vets