McGill-Queen’s University Press is a joint venture of McGill and Queen’s Universities. We are a leading North American university press, publishing award-winning books in fields that span the social sciences and humanities. We are seeking an independent, motivated, and experienced acquisitions editor. Reporting to the Editor-in-Chief located in the Montreal office, and an employee of Queen’s University, the Editor may work remotely and independently from within Canada, preferably from the Greater Toronto area. The Editor is responsible for identifying, vetting, and improving scholarly manuscripts and high-end trade titles in the fields under the Editor’s supervision. The Editor will develop the Press’s reputation for high-quality publications and as a respected presence in the academic community through the active acquisition of new titles. The incumbent is responsible for putting manuscripts through external peer assessment, submitting them for presentation to the MQUP Publications Review Committee for approval on scholarly grounds, placing them under contract, and preparing them for transmittal to staff in the Production Department.

This position researches, builds, maintains, and expands a network of authors in order to build an ongoing list of manuscripts and proposals. This position provides editorial advice to supplement reviewer commentary. This position secures funding for book projects, through applying for subventions and/or grants. This position also works with authors and/or agents to secure contracts for books acquired.

Job Description

What you will do

—Researches, builds, maintains, and expands a network of authors in order to build an ongoing list of manuscripts and proposals.

—Seeks advice on proposals and manuscripts from qualified referees and arranges formal peer review.

—Works with authors on appropriate revisions and provides editorial advice to supplement reviewer commentary.

—Acts as author’s primary liaison to the press and anonymous readers.

—Seeks approval to publish manuscripts.

—Secures funding for book projects, through applying for subventions and/or grants.

—Works with authors and/or agents to secure contracts for books acquired.

—Collaborates with other departments to ensure that accepted books are given appropriate levels of editing, design, production, and marketing.

—Work with series editors to develop books.

—Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

Required Education

Four-Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent. In addition, requires trade certification, qualification, or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.

Required Experience

More than 2 years and up to and including 3 years of experience.

Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Knowledge and Requirements

—Practical and applied knowledge of specialized methods and processes that are typically acquired through a combination of technical or academic qualification and/or work experience.

—Provide consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.

—Interaction with others typically requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.

—Adapt messages to meet the needs of the intended audience.

—Build relationships, trust and credibility.

—Manage own work and may train and review the work of casual employees, work study students and/or volunteers, to see commitments through to completion.

—Contribute to setting work priorities and direction, supporting the team in achieving goals and objectives.

—Participate in project team meetings and develop individual project plans.

—Lead procedural or technological change within a unit.

—Identify new problems and seek information and input to fully understand the cause of problems.

—Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.

—Draw logical conclusions and provides opinions and recommendations.

—Research equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion resources and best practices relevant to the job and unit operations in order to inform evidence-based planning.

—Commitment to principles of equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion, Indigenization and human rights for equity deserving groups.