Senior Content Strategist

WE’RE HIRING: FREELANCE SENIOR CONTENT STRATEGIST – PRO (US & UK)StoryTerrace is looking for an experienced freelance Senior Content Strategist to work across selected titles within PRO, our premium publishing program.The Senior Content Strategist plays a pivotal role in shaping each book from its earliest stages. Working with authors, ghostwriters, Development Editors and Project Managers, they establish the book’s creative and commercial direction, articulate its central purpose and audience, and ensure that the finished manuscript delivers on that original vision.This is a senior editorial role suited to someone who combines strong publishing judgement with confidence, diplomacy and an instinctive understanding of what makes a book compelling and market-aware.RateWe work with a fixed rate based on manuscript length. While we cannot guarantee a set number of projects per year, we work with a limited number of strategists on an ongoing basis that understands how we work and knows our team. At this point, we aim for a minimum of 5-7 projects per strategist per year.Key ResponsibilitiesResearching each author, their proposed subject and the wider publishing category ahead of the project kickoffLeading a Book Development Strategy Session with the author, Writer, Development Editor and Project ManagerIdentifying and articulating the book’s purpose, target audience, positioning, structure, principal themes and intended reader experienceApproving a clear Book Strategy Blueprint that provides the editorial foundation for the projectProviding direction and giving feedback on profiles suggested by the project manager for the most appropriate ghostwriter and developmental editor for each bookReviewing and approving key editorial milestones, including the initial and complete outlines, sample chapter and manuscript draftsProviding constructive, strategic feedback to Writers and Development Editors where work does not yet meet the required standardEnsuring that the manuscript remains aligned with the agreed strategy while recognising when the book’s direction should evolveActing as the senior editorial point of escalation when concerns arise regarding structure, positioning, voice, content quality or market suitabilityContributing informed editorial and commercial insight to titling, cover design and book positioningGiving final editorial approval before completed manuscripts move into copyediting and production 😊 About YouYou will ideally have substantial experience as a commissioning editor, senior editor, literary agent, book strategist or publishing consultant, with a strong record of developing high-quality nonfiction and memoir.Excellent editorial judgement and a sophisticated understanding of narrative, structure, voice and audienceA strong working knowledge of the contemporary book market, including positioning, comparable titles and category expectationsExperience working directly with authors and helping them articulate ideas that may still be complex, unformed or evolvingThe confidence to lead senior-level editorial conversations and make clear, well-reasoned recommendationsThe ability to give candid but constructive feedback while maintaining positive relationships with authors and freelance editorial professionalsExperience assessing outlines, sample chapters and complete manuscriptsA collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with Writers, Development Editors, Project Managers and design colleaguesStrong written communication and the ability to turn a wide-ranging strategic discussion into a concise, practical editorial blueprintExperience developing business, thought-leadership, personal-development and narrative nonfiction titles would be particularly valuable. Experience with fiction is welcome but not essential The EngagementThis is a freelance, project-based position. The workload will vary according to the number and stage of active PRO projects, so the role would suit an established publishing professional with the flexibility to attend online strategy sessions and complete editorial reviews within agreed timescales.The role is primarily remote, although occasional meetings may be arranged where appropriate.