Acquisitions Editor

About the role

Strategically acquire and develop books for general readership, professional readers, and scholarly and academic audiences across science, education, and scholarship, as determined by signing goals. Manage a pipeline of projects and work with authors and peer reviewers to develop the highest quality manuscripts for general readers, academics, students, and professionals. Actively oversee a backlist of projects and serve as the primary point of contact with authors. Establish robust relationships with MIT faculty members and wider networks of advisors and prospective authors. Exercise good judgment to promote the growth and continued success of this portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and develop books for diverse audiences, including general readers, professionals, and academic communities.
• Manage a pipeline of projects, collaborating with authors and peer reviewers to refine manuscripts.
• Oversee a backlist of projects and act as the primary author liaison.
• Build and maintain relationships with MIT faculty and broader networks of advisors and prospective authors.
• Travel to campuses and conferences as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., science, literature, journalism, environmental or political science, or publishing).
• Minimum of three years of experience in book publishing, scientific or academic publishing, or a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and knowledge of publishing contracts and terms.
• Familiarity with the higher education community.
• Ability to work with academic authors and handle confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced or bachelor’s degree in science, literature, or a related field.

Work Environment

The MIT Press is based in Cambridge, MA, and offers a hybrid work environment.