Description:
The primary responsibility of the Senior Editor is to identify, acquire and edit high-performing titles for HarperCollins Canada Ltd. with a particular focus on titles for the Collins Canada imprint. The Collins Canada imprint is the leading Canadian publisher of nonfiction titles in business, health, how-to and sports as well as a growing list of intellectual property titles. The Senior Editor pursues quality submissions from agents and unagented authors and commissions new titles from house authors and new authors with the potential for strong market performance, impact and rights opportunities, with vision and creativity. The Senior Editor must have a strong interest and experience in editing works of narrative and practical non-fiction (not necessarily in book form). Experience with acquisitions of new projects, negotiating publishing agreements, familiarity with p&l statements is required. The Senior Editor must have established contacts within the industry, highly developed interpersonal skills, a strong record of industry engagement and be able to represent HarperCollins externally to agents and publishing colleagues. The Senior Editor must be a proactive team player who has an understanding of the strategic direction of the publishing program, and can work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. This role will report to the Editor in Chief
Responsibilities
- Substantive and line edit manuscripts, publishing 10-12 titles per fiscal year.
- Identify and acquire high-potential non-fiction projects for the HarperCollins and Collins non-fiction lists
- Acquire books through agented submissions and referrals, as well as commissions by researching and pursuing personalities with established platforms
- Conceive and build projects from scratch for our intellectual property publishing program
- Analyze sales data and trends to be able to react quickly to publishing opportunities
- Project manage and see through to publication multiple books at a time on schedule
- Generate P&Ls and book costings that meet financial parameters
- Position books in-house and externally for maximum success through strong presentations and the preparation of compelling metadata and descriptive copy
- Communicate regularly with the Editor in Chief and the Publisher
- Identify legal issues and conduct legal reviews with counsel if necessary
- Contribute actively to increasing Diversity on the HarperCanada publishing program
- Provide the best possible care and attention to authors
- Attend launches and industry events and participate in industry outreach representing HarperCollins
Qualifications
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited university
- A diploma or certificate from an accredited publishing program would be an asset
- 5 years minimum of editorial experience with a focus on acquisitions and substantive editing of both fiction and non-fiction
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong negotiation skills
- Strong organizational and project-management skills
- Knowledge of the book industry and the market
- Established network of contacts
- Proven ability to meet deadlines, determine priorities and pay attention to detail
- The ability to work individually and collaboratively, and to maintain strong, positive relationships with others in-house and with the publishing industry at large
- A proven track record of industry engagement and outreach
- A positive attitude with a focus on collaboration and teamwork
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office