Any candidate wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to their resume
Harvard Education Press (HEP) is a mission-driven, independent, university press affiliated with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Founded in 2002, the Press is overseen by an editorial advisory board drawn from the HGSE faculty and affiliated practitioners, and peer review is at the heart of our publishing process. The HEP offices are adjacent to campus in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
Our mission is to provide practitioners and policymakers with the knowledge, tools, and information they need to understand and address the educational issues facing our society today and tomorrow. As a forum for the variety of thought in the field, we drive the conversation about education.
HEP is seeking an acquisitions editor to acquire books on critical issues in education and books which translate educational research into practice. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the discipline of education, experience in academic publishing, editorial expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to advancing the mission of Harvard Education Press.
The Acquisitions Editor will be responsible for acquiring roughly 15 titles per year and will work closely with the editorial team and Executive Director to help shape our evolving program. Part of what makes HEP unique is the close, collaborative editorial relationship authors can expect in working with us—the Acquisitions Editor is therefore responsible for developing the titles they sign, from contract to publication. The Acquisitions Editor will also help manage a talented team of interns and freelance support as needed.
Position Description:
- Acquires approximately 15 academic/professional books per year in the fields of education research, policy, and practice.
- Contributes to the HEP editorial program by maintaining and expanding current publishing lists and identifying new areas of interest. The current publishing program strengths include such areas as educational leadership, instructional improvement, race and equity in education, and education policy.
- Solicits, develops, and evaluates proposals in consultation with editorial colleagues, identifies appropriate reviewers and manages the peer review process, and presents proposals to the HEP Editorial Advisory Board.
- Works with authors to develop and revise both proposals and manuscripts to ensure they incorporate feedback from peer reviewers and meet Press standards.
- Works closely with colleagues in production to ensure a smooth workflow and consults regularly with colleagues in marketing and sales to ensure books reach their target readerships.
Basic Qualifications:
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Academic/professional publishing background strongly preferred, and with a track record of outstanding acquisitions.
- Knowledge of the education sector, including current research and issues in K-12 and higher education, particularly in race and education, strongly preferred.
- Proven editorial judgment; excellent communication and networking abilities; proven initiative; ability to work independently; and strong interpersonal skills required.
- Graduate level degree in Education and/or 3-5 years of professional education experience preferred.
- The ability to come into the Cambridge offices 2-3 days per week is strongly preferred.
