Senior Acquisitions Editor Job at Rhode Island Bar Assn. in Des Moines

Senior Acquisitions Editor – Trade Publishing (Faith-Based / Young Earth Creation Worldview) Reports To: Publisher / EVP of Trade Publishing Role Scope Senior leadership role with list‑level revenue responsibility, author portfolio ownership, and strategic input into long‑range growth. Position Summary The Senior Acquisitions Editor is responsible for building and scaling a profitable, mission‑aligned trade publishing list that advances the company’s faith‑based worldview while materially contributing to the organization’s five‑year revenue growth objectives. This role owns the frontlist acquisition strategy, develops high‑capacity authors and brands, and ensures each acquired title has a clear market position, platform pathway, and financial rationale. This position is both editorial and commercial: success is measured by list performance, author durability, and contribution to long‑term enterprise value, not volume alone. Core Responsibilities Strategic List Building (5‑Year Horizon) Design and execute a multi‑year trade acquisitions strategy aligned with company revenue targets and brand positioning. Build a repeatable pipeline of worldview‑driven authors, series, and franchises that scale beyond single‑title performance. Balance the list across: Lead titles (high‑impact, high‑visibility) Midlist growth titles Evergreen / backlist‑building projects Specialty Bible projects Identify gaps in the current catalog and acquire titles that expand audience reach, age segmentation, and channel penetration. Title Acquisition & Financial Accountability Proactively source, evaluate, and acquire trade nonfiction (and fiction readers) that: Clearly articulate a biblical or faith‑based worldview Address cultural, educational, or spiritual issues relevant to the current market Demonstrate measurable sales potential Lead acquisition presentations with: Market and competitive analysis Comparable title performance Multi‑channel sales assumptions (trade, DTC, bulk, curriculum, events) P&L and margin expectations Negotiate contracts (advances, royalties, delivery) in coordination with leadership. Own list‑level performance against annual and multi‑year financial goals. Author & Platform Development Recruit, develop, and retain high‑capacity authors with long‑term publishing potential Guide authors in refining message clarity, scope & audience definition to maximize reach Partner with authors to strengthen platform alignment (speaking, ministries, schools, churches, media, curriculum) Establish the company as the publisher of record for trusted Christian worldview voices Editorial Leadership & Quality Control Provide senior‑level editorial direction from proposal through manuscript development Ensure theological, ideological, and worldview alignment while maintaining editorial excellence Set editorial standards that support both credibility and accessibility for broad audiences Collaborate with managing editorial and production to ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery Cross‑Functional Growth Alignment Work closely with marketing, sales, and product teams to: Shape title positioning and messaging Inform seasonal planning and sales forecasting Identify opportunities for bundles, special sales, and derivative products Support expansion into multiple channels (homeschool, church, events, curriculum) Contribute to brand‑level initiatives that elevate market authority and trust Leadership Contribute to acquisition policy, workflow improvements, and decision frameworks. Provide informed input to executive leadership on market shifts, risks, and opportunities. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree (English, Theology, Christian Ed, Communications, or related field) 7–10+ years of experience in trade publishing acquisitions Proven track record of building profitable, mission‑aligned lists Deep understanding of faith‑based / worldview publishing markets Strong contract literacy and deal‑negotiation experience Ability to evaluate content through both theological and commercial lenses Preferred Qualifications Existing relationships with faith‑based authors, agents, ministries, and organizations Experience scaling authors into multi‑book brands or series Familiarity with direct‑to‑consumer and special sales models Experience working in organizations pursuing intentional growth Key Competencies Worldview discernment and theological clarity Commercial judgment and revenue orientation Strategic thinking across multiple years Author leadership and influence Decisive editorial judgment Collaborative executive mindset Success Metrics (Ownership‑Level) Contribution to five‑year revenue growth targets Average profitability per title and per author Number of repeat authors and multi‑book agreements Growth of backlist and evergreen revenue Timely delivery and execution consistency Why This Role Matters This position is critical to transforming the trade department from title‑driven publishing to author‑ and brand‑driven growth, that not only reflects the company’s faith commitments and desire to impact Kingdom growth, but also fuels financial expansion over the next five years. #J-18808-Ljbffr