Acquisitions Editor - Business Discipline

About the role

If you’re passionate about making a difference, value flexibility and autonomy, and are looking for a supportive and inclusive environment, consider making Sage your next career move.

Responsibilities

• Business market intelligence—be the expert on the Business discipline. Demonstrate a deep understanding of external customers, including both instructors and students. Develop a nuanced understanding of who they are, how they make decisions, and the academic, professional, and institutional drivers that influence their adoption and purchasing criteria. Actively engage with Business faculty through campus visits, conference attendance, and customer engagement activities both in-person and virtually to stay closely connected to evolving Business market needs.
• Business competitive landscape—maintain expert-level knowledge of the competitive landscape in Business. Analyze competitive offerings with a focus on author profiles, topical coverage, pedagogical approach, technological requirements, and Business instructor resource expectations. Monitor how competitors are innovating in Business education, from pedagogy and authorship to competing courseware platforms and nontraditional publishing models.
• Business curriculum & discipline expertise—demonstrate deep expertise in Business curricula across all assigned course markets. Understand course-specific dynamics, including instructor profiles, market segments, instructor pain points, student challenges, course objectives, adoption decision dynamics, content and pedagogical needs (e.g., case studies, simulations, etc.) and alignment with accreditation standards (e.g., AACSB). Apply this knowledge to shape the products you sign, revise, develop, and publish to reflect evolving Business market trends. Address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as appropriate.
• Business author management—identify and cultivate relationships with top Business professors with strong academic, professional, and industry credentials. Define ideal author profiles for new signings. Build and maintain long-term relationships with potential and existing authors, providing guidance on Business education trends, challenges, and changes. Manage conflict, negotiate contract terms, and navigate difficult and complex conversations with authors.
• New acquisitions in Business —pursue new Business signings based on priority signing areas. Proactively recruit high-potential authors and develop compelling, market-aligned proposals. Draft clear, persuasive contract proposals and present projects to the Publishing Committee, demonstrating how new projects align with overall list strategy. Collaborate with product team members to guide high-level development and provide key stakeholders with regular updates at retrospective meetings.
• Business portfolio management—demonstrate a strategic, data-informed approach to managing the Business portfolio. Plan and arrange revisions, optimize publishing schedules, and manage internal resources efficiently. Maintain a comprehensive, long-term view of the entire list to ensure optimal cycling, profitability, and product differentiation.
• Business market research—lead and design market research in Business, including surveys, review questionnaires, focus groups, and 1x1 interviews. Validate market readiness, uncover unmet needs, and test marketing messages. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making. Use AI tools to enhance your effectiveness. Partner with product team members to apply research findings to projects.
• Content development—partner with content development team members to ensure product is aligned to Business market expectations. Help set project direction, resolve schedule issues, refine unique value propositions, and shape digital resources and courseware plans to be competitive in Business.
• New product launches—partner with product specialists and go-to-market specialists to successfully launch new Business titles. Help guide pre-selling plans, activities, and sales tools. Plan and deliver compelling product presentations at national sales meetings. Effectively demo product and courseware functionality in live and virtual settings.
• Marketing communication—provide product and course market information for all titles promoted via marketing communication activities.
• Thought leader in Business —demonstrate a thorough understanding of the higher education publishing industry in Business, including its key functional areas – editorial, production, sales, sales enablement, and product management. Serve as an ambassador of Sage by articulating the Sage story in Business alongside Sage’s strategy, mission, and values.

Requirements

• At least 3-4 years of book acquisition, content development, marketing, and/or sales experience, preferably in higher education textbook publishing. Must have some prior experience working in the Business discipline.
• Prior experience delivering presentations in person and virtually.

Qualifications

• Passionate about making a difference
• Value flexibility and autonomy
• Supportive and inclusive environment
• Expertise in Business market intelligence
• Knowledge of Business competitive landscape
• Deep expertise in Business curricula
• Strong author management skills
• Strategic portfolio management
• Market research and analysis skills
• Content development and marketing communication experience
• Ability to deliver presentations in person and virtually

Skills

• Technology proficiency
• Growth mindset
• Iterative and adaptable
• Sales-driven and commercially minded

Benefits

• Comprehensive PPO medical, dental, and vision care benefits package
• Unique program benefits that support a healthy life
• Company-sponsored anniversary trip every 5 years
• 401(k)-matching program of 100% up to 5% of pay
• Financial support for bachelor's and graduate-level degree programs as well as learning for personal interest
• Freedom and autonomy in your day-to-day with hybrid or remote work

Pay

$90,000 - $105,000 yearly

Schedule

Fully remote