Acquisitions Editor

University of Utah, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Salt Lake City, UTAH
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

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Acquisitions Editor
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
All applications received by September 20, 2021 will receive full consideration.

This is a local recruitment. Out of area candidates will be responsible for travel costs for final in-person interviews and for moving costs, if selected.
When prompted to do so, please upload three (3) professional references.
Announcement


Open Date 08/26/2021
Requisition Number PRN27475B
Job Title Acquisitions Editor
Working Title Acquisitions Editor
Job Grade D
FLSA Code Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary
  | Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
VP Area Academic Affairs
Department 00338 - University Press
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range $48,000-$51,500
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Job Summary
The University of Utah Press is seeking candidates interested in a career in scholarly publishing, who understand the intricacies of manuscript acquisitions, have exceptional language and communication skills, and would enjoy a collegial work environment at the University of Utah Press. The Press is located in the Marriott Library, at the heart of the U of U campus, and publishes up to thirty new titles annually in such varied disciplines as archaeology and anthropology, American Indian studies, Mormon studies, religious studies, folklore, western and Utah history, environmental studies, natural history, nature writing, linguistics, creative nonfiction, and poetry. The work is intellectually stimulating and challenging, requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, demands the ability to assess manuscripts across a variety of academic disciplines, and is rewarding for those who are devoted to the world of print and electronic publishing. This position is currently designed as a hybrid of on-campus and remote work. Specific telecommuting arrangements will be based on the needs of the position and authorized at the discretion of the supervisor.
We seek qualified applicants who also bring perspectives and experiences that will enrich and strengthen our organization. We especially invite applications from candidates who may not have followed a traditional educational or professional path. All candidates should be prepared to discuss how they see themselves contributing to the University’s equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. The library serves an increasingly diverse constituency of patrons, and our employees, services, collections, and policies should honor and reflect this diversity. We are therefore interested in identifying and interviewing candidates who have experience with underserved or marginalized communities and communities of color and who are committed to advancing our mission to provide equitable access to information resources. 
Responsibilities
This is a highly responsible and significant Press position that requires knowledge, tact, and the ability to work autonomously in order to solicit, assess, and develop manuscript submissions for eventual publication. The successful candidate will attend academic meetings and conferences to seek manuscripts and meet with potential authors; review current literature in appropriate academic fields in order to remain current with those fields and with an eye toward potential projects; cultivate a community of knowledgeable contacts in selected disciplines for purposes of submissions, peer reviews, and networking; work directly with potential authors; and work with the Press director and other staff in structuring the Press’s publishing program. This position requires familiarity with assigned disciplines, the ability to match market needs and assess potential sales; and the ability to develop and deliver an annual minimum of fifteen completed manuscripts within budget and on schedule.
The successful candidate will create seasonal lists (two per year) by assigned disciplines, including but not limited to archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, ethnobiology, cultural and biological anthropology, paleoecology, linguistics, Mesoamerica, and folklore studies, and make long-range plans for presentation and acceptance. This will include reviewing submissions and determining suitability for review or rejection of both solicited and unsolicited manuscripts.
This position requires the ability to review manuscript submissions for quality of content and style of work and writing, requiring exceptional language skills, copyediting knowledge (preferably familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style) , the ability to understand and evaluate written content, and the ability to work diplomatically and professionally with authors to guide and develop their work. Manuscript review also requires the ability to assess appropriateness of each project for the Press’s publication program and against existing competition (if any), sales potential, the ability to select appropriate peer reviewers (subject matter and credentials) for manuscripts, and the ability to follow-up with reviewers and authors. 
The acquisitions editor presents manuscripts under consideration to the Press’s director and staff for purposes of consultation, feasibility assessment, budgeting, and appropriateness to list; and prepares and presents peer-reviewed manuscripts for faculty advisory committee (FAC) approval, usually four times per year. This includes writing up a summary of each manuscript, reasons for final recommendation, and proposed book specifications (trim size/format, print run, price, etc.) to include with the FAC packet. Prepared packets also include peer reviews, vitas for reviewers and author/editor, sample material(s) from the manuscript, and revision plan based on peer reviews. Initiates contracts with authors upon FAC approval.
The acquisitions editor works with authors to develop revision plans and follows manuscript development to ensure that schedules are met and revisions are successfully made. Ensures delivery of the final and completed manuscript, including text and images and any associated permissions. Reviews final manuscripts and prepares for transmittal to editorial and production staff, checking that both hardcopy and digital forms and all images (illustrations, maps, figures, and tables) are submitted according to Press specifications. Completes transmittal documents and proposes and prepares budget documents for review by Press staff. Depending on budget outcomes, this may additionally require obtaining subvention or grant monies prior to publication.
The acquisitions editor will work closely with outside series editors to acquire manuscripts for two Press series: the long-established University of Utah Anthropological Series with series editors Brian Codding and Lisbeth Louderback, and the new series Inclusive Anthropologies with Pei-Lin Yu and Nicole Herzog.
This position must understand the subtleties of copyrights and permissions within an academic publishing program.
The successful candidate must be able to work collegially in an academic environment and possess exceptional communications skills and tact. 
Working with the director and other Press staff, this position is also responsible for administering the Don D. and Catherine S. Fowler Prize in anthropology and archaeology.
Physical Requirements: Attendance at appropriate conferences is essential for Press acquisitions efforts and the successful candidate must be able to travel; attend trade shows, academic meetings, and conferences; and set up and tear down display tables/booths. 
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archaeology, social sciences, or interdisciplinary/cross-disciplinary fields related to University of Utah Press publication areas, but particularly archaeology and anthropology, plus three years related publishing experience or equivalency required. Demonstrated ability to work independently required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communications skills are also required. 
 
This position is not responsible for providing patient care. 
 
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Master’s degree in anthropology or archaeology, social sciences, interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary field related to the Press’s publication disciplines, but particularly archaeology and anthropology, plus five years related experience in academic publishing preferred. Demonstrated ability to work independently required. Exceptional human relations and communications skills are requisite.
The duties, qualifications, and preferences listed in this posting are intended to give applicants an understanding of the role we are seeking to fill and the types of skills, experience, and education that may have prepared someone to be effective in this role. We do not expect any candidate to be a perfect match for this list or to perform all of the duties with equal proficiency on day one. In your resume and cover letter, please highlight the most relevant qualifications you would bring to this position based on the posting, and tell us how your background, perspective, and experience will help us fulfill our mission and meet our goals. 
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
All applications received by September 20, 2021 will receive full consideration.

This is a local recruitment. Out of area candidates will be responsible for travel costs for final in-person interviews and for moving costs, if selected.
When prompted to do so, please upload three (3) professional references.
Additional Information
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. 
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. 
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:
Director/ Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA)
135 Park Building
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-581-8365
[email protected]
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
To inquire about this posting, email: [email protected] or call 801-581-2300.
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).


Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of References
    • Optional Documents
  • Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only - Call 801.581.2169 after submission
  • Appropriate discharge document (such as a DD-214 – Member Copy 4) – Veteran Only – Call 801.581.2169

    • University Human Resource Management
    250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
    Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: [email protected]

     


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