Executive Editor, Grand Central Publishing

$100,000 - $120,000/Yr

Hachette Book Group - New York, NY

Full-time - Executive

New York, NY

Publishing Industries

About the position

Grand Central Publishing is expanding its fiction program and is seeking an Executive Editor to join our team. This role is pivotal in acquiring 10-12 titles annually in the realm of commercial fiction, with a particular focus on speculative fiction, horror, and interstitial fiction that spans multiple genres, including but not limited to romantasy, horror/thriller, and historical/thriller. The ideal candidate will possess a keen ability to identify emerging trends within the marketplace and will be dedicated to publishing works from a diverse array of voices. As the Executive Editor, you will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of book production, from acquiring projects and negotiating contracts to editing manuscripts and overseeing the production process. This position requires a proactive approach to building and maintaining productive relationships with authors, agents, and internal teams across various departments, including Managing Editorial, Art, Publicity/Marketing, and Sales. Additionally, you will represent the division at tradeshows and industry events, showcasing our commitment to innovative and diverse storytelling. The successful candidate will bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record in trade book acquiring and editing, with a minimum of 8-10 years in the industry. You should have a solid understanding of the book publishing processes and functions, including Editorial, Managing Editorial, Production, Design, Copyediting, Marketing, Sales, and Publicity, and how these areas interconnect. Staying informed about market trends, reader preferences, and competitor activities will be essential in shaping our acquisitions and publishing strategies. We are looking for someone who thrives in a results-driven environment, possesses a clear editorial vision, and has strong problem-solving skills in cross-functional team scenarios. Excellent presentation, organizational, written, and oral communication skills are also critical for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Acquire projects from a variety of sources including agents and seasoned authors, as well as new authors.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with authors and agents, as well as internal staff in Managing Editorial, Art, Publicity/Marketing, Sales, and other departments.
• Handle departmental projects and initiatives.
• Represent the division at tradeshows and industry events as appropriate.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8-10 years of trade book acquiring and editing experience.
• Proven editorial skills in shaping commercial fiction manuscripts.
• Solid knowledge of book publishing processes and functions, including Editorial, Managing Editorial, Production, Design, Copyediting, Marketing, Sales, and Publicity.
• Strong contacts in the publishing industry.
• Ability to stay informed about market trends, reader preferences, and competitor activities to inform acquisitions and publishing strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a results-driven role.
• Clear editorial vision and understanding of a publishing list.
• Problem-solving skills in cross-functional, long-term team scenarios.
• Excellent presentation, organization, written, and oral communication skills.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Basic and supplemental life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Hospital indemnity insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Health and dependent care FSA
• Commuter benefit plan
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Travel assistance
• 401(k) plan
• Discretionary bonus program
• PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays, and generous sick leave)
• Group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services