Acquisitions Editor - AUC Press

Reports to: Director, Editorial Acquisitions

Purpose: The job holder will be responsible for all the activities related to authors, soliciting and assessing initial proposals, managing peer review and refinement of original manuscripts, acquisitions of licenses, as well as all the editorial and publishing tasks in designated areas in cooperation with the Editorial Acquisitions Director.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development of the publishing programs of the AUC Press in cooperation with the AUC Press director, the editorial acquisitions director and the senior acquisitions editors
• Acquire and budget for 15-20 books annually with strong break-even potential contributing to the overall increase in AUC Press revenues in coordination with the director and editorial acquisitions director
• Develop fundraising applications to foundations and corporations and prospective individual donors to support single publications, as well as series and general subject areas requiring financial support
• Find, review and recommend authors and original manuscripts in designated areas for possible publication by the AUC Press
• Correspond with dozens of authors to receive and evaluate proposals, both unsolicited and commissioned; solicit and commission peer reviews for dozens of proposed books annually; define and maintain bibliographic details on titles acquired; interact with at least a dozen staff in various AUC Press departments
• Create a strong network of authors, external peer reviewers, AUC faculty advisors and awareness of international market trends, as well as Egypt sales potential in subject areas possibly including but not limited to several of the following: Egyptology and archaeology; Egyptian food/culture/travel and modern history; other trade and general interest subject categories; Arabic language learning; environment, law, religion and other disciplines in social sciences and humanities
• Negotiate contracts and assess the quality of incoming proposals and manuscripts; work closely with colleagues in other departments throughout the transmittal, editing, production and marketing phases of publication
• Draft and negotiate author contracts and assist in the contractual process for original works, as well as for the acquisitions of licenses for co-published works with the rights assistant, executive assistant and senior acquisitions editors
• Coordinate with Managing Editor and Associate Director for Editorial and Production Services to ensure author compliance with submission guidelines of manuscripts and images according to AUC Press Guide for Authors style
• Work with the marketing and sales teams to identify backlist titles appropriate for paperback or revised editions
• Request, review and recommend manuscripts from other publishers on an ongoing basis for possible licensing or co-publication
• Participate in creating effective marketing and promotional metadata and other materials for the books
• Handle other related editorial and publishing tasks as requested by the senior acquisitions editors, the editorial acquisitions director or the director
• Participate through entrepreneurial efforts to identify books with strong subsidiary rights revenue potential
• Develop contacts in the scholarly and academic world for both peer review commissions and potential publishing projects
• Attend virtual and in-person academic conferences as requested to support the editorial list building and promotion, as well as author relations
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the editorial acquisitions director

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in humanities or social sciences required
• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of work experience in academic book publishing or equivalent editorial experience
• Familiarity with academic publishing standards is highly desirable

Skills:

• Excellent command of English
• Ability to review, analyze and recommend (in writing and verbally) manuscripts and other written material for possible publication
• Experience in market research in relevant academic disciplines and/or bookselling
• Organizational management skills
• Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Excel and publishing project management databases such as Bibilolive
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent Communication skills
• Excellent record-keeping skills and ability to work under deadlines effectively

This position is open until May 21, 2023

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the shortlist will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”