Acquisitions Editor

Overview:

Ave Maria Press is seeking an editor to acquire and edit Catholic trade books for our general spirituality line. This role can be filled in-person at our headquarters at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, or in a fully-remote capacity.

Ave Maria Press sets hearts on fire by leading people to know, love, and serve God. We were founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1865 to feature the best American Catholic writing, support the spiritual needs of everyday Catholics, and honor Mary. Today, more than 150 years later, we create high-quality, trustworthy Catholic content that moves people into deeper communion with God and fans into flame a desire to bring that communion to others. As a leader in publishing Catholic high school theology textbooks, ministry resources, and books on prayer and spirituality, our work invites people into a family of faith. We take pride in being a nonprofit publishing ministry of Holy Cross and strive to expand our work in order to contribute to the global mission of the Congregation.

This role offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off and a 403(b) retirement plan. Ave team members are part of a supportive company culture and contribute to a dynamic, mission-driven team committed to collaboration and innovation.

Responsibilities and Qualifications:

The acquisitions editor will be expected to acquire and edit ten new titles each year to be published in Ave’s line of Catholic trade books for general spirituality. This role occupies a central place in Ave’s unique voice among Catholic publishers and is an integral part of the editorial team. Outstanding social skills, vision, and creativity are essential. The acquisitions editor takes the lead in developing ideas for new voices, projects, and partnerships that will serve the Church, reach a wide audience, and align with Ave’s strategic mission to set hearts on fire. We are seeking an acquisitions editor who can offer a critical, creative voice to sharpen and evaluate book proposals–good instincts for what our readers will respond to is crucial. This role initiates a collaboration with authors to create viable projects and, after acquisition, edits those titles through the developmental and line editing phases. The acquisitions editor drafts marketing copy and also initiates title and cover decisions.

Essential qualifications:

Practicing Catholic who is participating in the life of the Church at the parish level and has a working knowledge of the pastoral realities and challenges facing the Catholic Church.
Bachelor’s degree in theology, English, communications, publishing, or equivalent field of study.
Proficiency in the Chicago Manual of Style.
Familiarity with writing and editing functions in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe applications.
Ability to travel occasionally to represent Ave at conferences and connect with authors. If the position is filled remotely, the acquisitions editor is expected to be present on site for several key meetings and gatherings through the year.
Preferred qualifications:

College-level study of theology.
Working knowledge of the book publishing industry, including market research, profit/loss analyses, and audience targeting.
Wide network of contacts in the landscape of Catholic media and ministry.
Skills needed for this role:

Excellent communication and social skills to effectively engage with our team members, authors, and partners; the ability to identify, recruit, and develop new authors who are changing lives with their platform.
A working fluency with the general book publishing market and the current topics of interest to everyday Catholics; the ability to anticipate demand and make detailed proposals for products to serve those interests.
The ability to strategically and creatively balance Catholic mission work with business acumen and bottom-line thinking.
The ability to work with a high degree of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail; a critical eye for both stylistic and theological nuance.
A proven capacity to recognize and set priorities and translate them into deadlines; the ability to work on both long-term and short-term projects.
The capability to work well both independently and with others–this role requires a self-starter who can initiate and execute ideas while contributing to a highly collaborative team.
Position Details:

This is a full-time, salaried position. The expected work hours are approximately 37.5 hours per week, between the business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday. The exact schedule will be discussed and decided upon during the interview and offer stage.

Location: Notre Dame, Indiana, or remote

Travel Expectations: Occasional but regular travel is expected for this role–roughly six times per year.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Ave provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Lisa Hanback at [email protected]