Scholarly Acquisitions Editor

Position Summary:
The Scholarly Acquisitions Editor (SAE) solicits (through conferences and other forms of scholarly contact), evaluates (through press discussion, peer review, and editorial committee input), and contractually secures book-length manuscripts from authors and volume editors. The SAE performs all editorial activities with respect to manuscripts acquired, ensuring that all published work meets Vanderbilt University Press standards of appearance and content. Through this work, the SAE establishes and influences the Press’s long-range list planning and development. The SAE will be part of the eight- member Press team that acquires, edits, designs, and produces all books published in the program.
 

About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt University Press is the principal publishing arm of one of the nation's leading research universities. The Press's primary mission is to select, produce, market, and disseminate scholarly publications of outstanding quality and originality. In conjunction with the long-term development of its editorial program, the Press draws on and supports the intellectual activities of the University and its faculty. Although its main emphasis falls in the area of scholarly publishing, the Press also publishes books of substance and significance that are of interest to the general public, including regional books. In this regard, the Press also supports Vanderbilt's service and outreach to the larger local and national community.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
• Solicits, secures, and coordinates the acquisition of twenty-five to thirty book-length manuscripts per year in the fields of Latin American studies, anthropology, musicology, and other areas as needed.
• Serves as the as liaison between the Press and authors and/or rights holders/publishers.
• Recruits authors, negotiates contracts, secures the acquisition of materials, oversees rights and permissions, approves revisions, and sets production schedules and priorities.
• Locates peer reviewers and mediates between peer reviewers, authors, series editors, student interns, and the Press. Presents the peer review process for individual projects to the faculty editorial committee for approval.
• Prepares project P&Ls and financial reporting documents.
• Assists in establishing and implementing short- and long-range Press goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Plans, develops, and implements strategies for generating subvention income and/or subsidiary rights revenues for the organization. • Represents the Press and the Press’s acquisitions department with the AUP and other scholarly and professional organizations (e.g., LASA, AAA) at meetings and through remote communications.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
 

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to VU Press Director.
 

Education and Certifications:
• BA in a scholarly field of study, preferably in the humanities or social sciences, is required. A MA in a similar field is recommended.
 

Experience and Skills:
• Familiarity with the conventions and norms of scholarly citation and communication is required.
• Three years of experience in book publishing, preferably academic, is required.
• Exquisite written and oral communication skills are required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, especially Microsoft Word, is required.
• The ability to synthesize information and give periodic presentations on book-level projects and publishing trends is required.