OSV Kids Editor

Incumbent oversees content for OSV Kids brand, including the OSV Kids trade book imprint, OSV Kids magazine, and any other OSV Kids products. Incumbent makes recommendations regarding authors, illustrators, topics, and market segments for OSV Kids books, OSV Kids magazine, and related ancillary products across multiple print and electronic formats. Incumbent recruits, retains, and maintains excellent relationships and communication with children's authors, both for books and for the monthly magazine, serving as their champion within OSV as well as within the broader Catholic publishing industry. Incumbent consults with book authors to edit proposals and manuscripts, and with magazine writers to edit articles and stories, according to OSV standards, ensuring content is aligned with OSV's target markets and sales plans. Incumbent works closely with Design Manager for Catechetical and Child/Family Resources to identify artists, review artwork, and determine the creative direction for books. Incumbent works closely with Design Manager for Catechetical and Child/Family Resources to plan, create content for, and edit monthly OSV Kids magazine. As part of the critical process of recruiting new authors to OSV Kids, incumbent becomes an active face and voice of OSV by sharing industry expertise with the community via the OSV Kids newsletter, website articles, and other similar activities. Incumbent also helps authors leverage their existing platforms as well as ensure the author's own promotional efforts are aligned with ones developed internally using OSV's promotional platforms and capabilities for books and the magazine.

Essential Job Functions:

Identify and recommend Catholic authors, topics, and market segments for new OSV Kids book projects (board books, picture books, and middle grade books).
Lead the OSV Kids magazine team in the planning, creation and editing of content for the monthly publication, and by working with contributors to provide an excellent product in line with the mission and vision of OSV Kids.
Win, recruit, and develop new authors, and maintain strong relationships with existing authors.
Work with authors to shape content effectively and keep content development for books and magazine on a predictable and productive path, in keeping with established editorial schedules.
Structurally edit book manuscripts and magazine articles to better position content to engage and help readers, and to ensure proper reading levels; authorize and request any significant content changes; confirm that changes have been made and accept the manuscript or product.
Collaborate with Editorial Team (Publisher, Sr. Managing Editor, and others on the book Acquisitions team) and Publishing Committee in planning OSV Kids book schedules and seasons.
Related Duties:

Participate in the implementation of OSV's strategic plan for the growth of the OSV Kids brand.
Coordinate with Sr. Acquisitions Manager to develop book ideas, recruit new authors, and pitch book proposals to the OSV Editorial Committee.
Coordinate with Periodicals Team to develop magazine content ideas and recruit new authors.
Initiate feasibility studies for OSV Kids books and submit final proposals to Publishing Committee (including Publisher, Marketing, and Editorial representatives).
Negotiate and oversee contractual terms with book authors and magazine contributors, including payment of advances and making sure authors have fulfilled their contracted obligations, particularly with regard to manuscript delivery schedules.
Collaborate with Design Manager for Catechetical and Child/Family Resources to identify artists for OSV Kids books and OSV Kids magazine, assist with creation of book maps, and review artwork for accuracy.
Work closely with the Publishing Team to recommend titles for books to maximize appeal within target market segment(s).
Release approved book manuscripts to the Sr. Managing Editor and be available to the project coordinator(s) for any questions during the copyediting process.
Provide Marketing colleagues with necessary editorial information for marketing campaigns and provide edits and feedback on marketing copy for OSV Kids books and OSV Kids magazine.
Collaborate with the Design Team as necessary in conceptualizing and design of book interiors, book covers, advertisements, and product packaging[BMB1] [CG2] .
Write content for bi-weekly OSV Kids email newsletter.
Review and edit social media posts.
Assist with development and keeping content up-to-date on OSVKids.com.
Accomplish other duties as assigned by the Sr. Acquisitions Manager and the Editorial Director for Periodicals.

Requirements:
Experience:
The ideal candidate has in-depth knowledge and experience of the Catholic children's publishing market as well as industry contacts and proven ability to win new authors and illustrators and maintain excellent relationships. Candidates with experience acquiring Catholic books and/or Catholic content and an existing network of proven authors who could potentially write for OSV Kids are strongly preferred.
The ideal candidate brings extensive knowledge of the Catholic Church, with proven ability to spot inaccuracies in written material about the Faith.
The ideal candidate has at least five years writing and editing experience, with strong knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style and the ability to craft short text blurbs that are informative and snappy.
Experience in marketing and cross marketing different products within a brand
Experience with email newsletters, outreach, and social media
A strong eye for design and artwork in keeping with a specific brand, and up-to-date on current trends in design for children's materials
Experience with small children and knowledge of topics and themes that are of interest to them
Experience managing relationships on behalf of an organization or Catholic ministry
Proven ability to manage and provide creative direction for multiple deadline-driven projects and communicate effectively with authors, illustrators, and internal stakeholders.
Ability to work with a remote team.

Education:
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or a related field of study
Degree or work in Catholic Theology and/or Early Childhood Education or related fields is desirable

Working Environment:
Incumbent will be working in an office or home office environment
Must be able to sit for the majority of the shift
The incumbent may be required to travel a few times a year
Incumbent must keep up-to-date on market demand and trends in children's publishing

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None

To apply, please visit: https://www.osv.com/about-osv/careers/