Acquisitions Editor, UR Press

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic & Commercial List Building

Deliver growth and profitability targets by signing and publishing new series and titles.

• Develop and execute strategic plans to grow assigned subject areas and disciplines.
• Identify key growth areas within academic fields; align with press goals.
• Collaborate with editorial board and senior leadership to align acquisitions with mission and revenue goals.
• Solicit and secure high-impact monographs, edited volumes, and series.
• Monitor performance of acquired titles to inform future list strategy.

Research & Network Development

Conduct market research to identify trends and gaps. Build relationships with authors, series editors, and thought leaders.

• Perform competitive analysis and stay informed of developments in key academic disciplines.
• Track gaps in coverage in the existing catalog and assess feasibility of new subject areas.
• Cultivate relationships with scholars, researchers, and institutional partners.
• Identify and assess potential series editors and advisory board members.

Project Acquisition & Management

Assess proposals and manuscripts for quality, relevance, and market potential.  Negotiate contracts and oversee projects from proposal to publication, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.

• Evaluate new submissions, vet with peer reviewers or editorial board.
• Guide authors through revisions and feedback loops.
• Negotiate and finalize contracts in collaboration with contracts/legal team.
• Manage editorial schedules and ensure titles meet budget and timeline goals.
• Maintain accurate records in editorial and tracking systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with the Senior Acquisitions Editor, Editorial and Advisory Boards, and Boydell & Brewer teams (Editorial, Production, Marketing, Sales) to ensure smooth workflows.  Contribute to editorial strategy and share best practices.

• Participate in regular editorial and cross-departmental meetings.
• Liaise with production, marketing, and sales on launch timelines, metadata, and positioning.
• Coordinate with peer review panels or internal boards.
• Contribute to internal documentation, workflow optimization, and process improvements.
• Mentor or train junior editorial staff, if applicable.

Representation & Outreach

Represent the Press at academic conferences and industry events. Build networks to enhance our reputation and attract top author and series editor talent.

• Attend and exhibit at relevant scholarly conferences.
• Organize or moderate panels or sessions at academic events.
• Follow up with prospective authors post-conference.
• Share feedback from academic communities with internal teams.
• Develop long-term institutional relationships.

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience Required
• Masters degree or higher in a relevant field Preferred
• 4+ years in publishing, acquisitions, or editorial roles Required
• 2-3 years direct experience managing author relationships Preferred
• 2-3 years’ experience evaluating proposals/manuscripts or negotiating contracts Preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proven success in academic publishing, ideally in acquisitions Required
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities and execute plans Required
• Strong project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities Required
• Solid understanding of academic publishing, including funding and scholarly communication trends Required
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally Required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Required
• Strong negotiation and contract management abilities Required
• Collaborative and self-motivated team player Required
• Familiarity with CMS or editorial tracking systems Preferred

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.