Acquisitions Editor, University of Ottawa Press

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Position Purpose

The incumbent plays a key role in building the Press publications program of 2830 scholarly and trade titles annually by identifying and acquiring outstanding research publications authored by renowned or talented scholars and literary authors; managing the vitally important external peer review process; providing expert publishing advice to authors; and building a network of scholars and stakeholders. The incumbent prepares presents and defends selected submissions at the editorial board develops projectbased partnerships calendars and budgets and ensures highest standards in publishing customer service and public relations.

Specific Accountabilities

• Strategic development of publishing program: Develops the strategic plan for our scholarly and trade lists builds the annual bilingual publishing program of 2830 awardwinning titles presented in two editorial seasons (Fall and Spring) per year. Manages over 100 active acquisitions files in pursuit of scholarly excellence aligned with the mandate and mission of the Press and the University while balancing a set of criteria (language disciplines and other considerations) and meeting revenue goals including identifying new opportunities and series stewarding existing partnerships and effectively utilizing backlist titles.
• Acquisitions management: Ensures leadership in acquisitions functionsincluding peer review contract negotiation (including open access contracts royalties and copyrights) presenting and vouching for titles at the editorial board leading preproduction meetings; streamlining and improving editorial workflow sharing information efficiently with team members enhancing the author experience and representing the Press in various highprofile venues.
• Project development: Manages a pipeline of projects in development. This includes evaluating manuscripts and proposals recruiting qualified peer reviewers and presenting publishable projects to the Editorial Board. Ensures data integrity within the publishing management system which is key to all publishing functions (acquisitions production marketing and sales contract management rights and royalties) and which correspond to an array of industry standards.
• Peer review: Conducts the allimportant peerreview process which includes developing a rich network of scholars liaising with series editors preparing manuscripts for evaluation analyzing reader reports communicating decisions to authors advising authors in crafting their response letters and in reworking their manuscripts and reviewing revised manuscripts to assess depth of author improvements.
• Acquisitions budget: Develops and submits annual acquisitions budget to the director of the Press. Solicits and manages publication grants translation subsidies and series sponsorships to ensure financial sustainability of publication projects. Monitors annual acquisitions budget and makes necessary adjustments throughout the year. Reviews grant applications and submits title subsidy reports to funders. Communicates funding opportunities and program requirements including deadlines to researchers. Acts as liaison between the Press and the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program. Oversees peer reviewers translators and rights compensation.
• Relationship building: Builds an expansive and diverse network of leading scholars authors funders and publishers and others in appropriate areas. Plays a key public relations role on campus and beyond. Maintains excellent relationships with authors series editors and senior leadership.
• Manuscript preparation: Guides authors throughout the acquisitions process by providing expert substantive editing advice and feedback to improve manuscripts based on reader reports style guides and best practices. Delivers productionready files to Production department with the objective of reducing the number of typographical stylistic and other modifications required to transform a manuscript to a polished book.
• Tracking and Reporting: Provides regular reports and recommendations based on acquisitions related statistics and analytics to the director the editorial board and series editors in order to inform strategic decisionmaking.
• Politics Procedures and Compliance: Participates in the development and implementation of internal policies and procedures in compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

Knowledge Experience and Skills

• University degree in the humanities or social sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 5 years of publishing experience (equivalent fulltime) at a university press scholarly publisher or trade publisher
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to see manuscripts through to completion with the ability to multitask and prioritize work
• Team player with excellent oral presentation and written communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to the value of diversity equity and inclusion initiatives
• Bilingualism: fluency in French and English (spoken and written) with excellent spelling and grammar in both languages
• Demonstrated ability to assess and improve scholarly publications including methodology and citation styles in both French and English
• Strong program development and implementation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to foster good relationships with internal and external partners and particularly tact and diplomacy in providing feedback to scholars
• Superior problemsolving and conflict resolution skills
• Superior writing skills and copy editing and/or proofreading experience
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Strong technical skills including Microsoft Office Google Suite and database management
• Experience working with confidential information
• Ability to travel as needed to professional conferences and to meet with faculty at other campuses
• Ability to work flexible hours on occasion including evenings and weekends