Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one-hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.
As the publishing arm of the American Psychological Association, APA Book produces critically acclaimed and award-winning books developed by experts to support researchers, practitioners, and students.
The Senior Acquisitions Editor is responsible for acquiring new and revised titles consistent with their individual strategic plan/goals and the overall strategy of APA Books. The acquisitions editor works collaboratively with a range of psychologists and other APA staffers to ensure that each new title and the overall product line enhance APA’s reputation for quality and contribute to the financial health of the organization. The Senior Acquisitions Editor will be dynamic, forward-thinking, and innovative.
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in English, psychology, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
- At least 8 years (or equivalent) of experience in scholarly, professional, reference, non-fiction, or textbook publishing with a successful and consistent track record in acquisitions or product development; professional experience or familiarity with psychology or related field preferred but not required.
- Knowledge of or ability to quickly become knowledgeable about the relevant content areas; familiarity and/or experience with clinical psychology preferred.
- Ability to build and maintain a wide network of psychologists to consult and partner with. Ability to persuade and to act with diplomacy and tact.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and analytic abilities to be able to evaluate proposals, peer reviews, and sales figures; monitor trend and conduct market research.
- Keen editorial insight in shaping book proposals with key audiences in mind.
- Understanding of current trends in digital content, platforms, and databases, including AI licensing,
- Familiarity with AI tools and the judgment to use them responsibly: applying them to streamline routine workflows and background research while keeping editorial evaluation, author relationships, and acquisition decisions grounded in human expertise.
- Experience using sales, usage, adoption, competitive data, and bibliometric trends to set list strategy.
- Business savvy for assessing the commercial viability of proposals and preparing pro forma P&Ls.
- Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to make a clear, persuasive case for a project or strategy to varied audiences, such as editorial boards, sales and marketing colleagues, authors, and conference audiences, and to translate data and market insight into a compelling narrative.
Computer Skills Required:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn platforms and databases (such as title management software, adoption tracking databases, bibliometric and citation analytics, etc.); maintain proper data entry and management; carefully track and log all acquisitions-related activities.
Responsibilities:
- Prepares an overarching strategic plan and acquisitions targets for their signing area and contributes to the overall strategy for APA Books. Continually consults with psychologists, customers, and other experts to understand contemporary market needs and dynamics, revising the strategic plan and acquisitions hitlist as required.
- Networks and builds relationships with leading psychologists to identify, recruit, and contract experts to write, edit, and review books.
- Maintains strong relationships with existing APA authors, assuming responsibility for projects at various stages of the publication process.
- Relying on their own editorial expertise and appropriate peer reviews, critically evaluates book proposals for quality, financial viability, and consistency with approved strategy.
- Prepares P&L and presents projects for final approval.
- Negotiates contracts with authors and others in APA’s interest.
- Tracks forthcoming books and helps plan future frontlists. Stays in routine contact with authors to ensure manuscripts are delivered as approved.
- Collaborates with Development, Production, Marketing, Sales, and others to ensure excellent author relations and to meet departmental or organizational goals.
- Presents books to the APA Sales and Marketing teams, providing insights and market knowledge.
- Acquires content with accessibility in mind and builds inclusive, diverse author and reviewer pipelines.
- May travel to professional and scholarly meetings and conferences. represents and acts as an ambassador for the APA Books program with psychologists, in the publishing industry, with customers, and others.
- Executes each responsibility in a financially-sound, quality-minded, ethical, and timely manner.
- Handles other duties as assigned.
About APA:
The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 146,000 psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc.
APA offers a generous employee benefits program, including Remote Work/Flexible Scheduling; a 401(k) option with employer match of up to 4%; medical, dental, and vision insurance options and an outpatient mental health benefit; paid personal/vacation time plus 12 paid holidays; Family/Medical Leave; tuition assistance; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); short- and long-term disability insurance; and more.
Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA’s Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.
Application Instructions:
Qualified candidates must apply online through APA’s applicant system and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your Spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.
Final candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check as a condition of employment. Any required consent forms and additional information will be provided during the final stages of the hiring process.
The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
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