The University of Georgia Press seeks an experienced and
talented publishing professional to direct and develop the Press’s
distinguished editorial program and supervise its acquisitions staff. The Assistant Director and Editor-in-Chief is
a key member of the Press’s management team and plays a major role in
goal-setting, short-term and long-range strategic planning, and policy making
for the Press. The Assistant Director
and Editor-in-Chief also is responsible for personally acquiring 20-25
high-quality, marketable new manuscripts per year for the Press in one or more
of the following areas: history,
literary studies, geography, urban studies, international relations and
security studies, regional trade. This
position reports to the Director of the University of Georgia Press.
Founded in 1938,
the University of Georgia Press is the largest book publisher in the state. It
has been a member of the Association of American University Presses since 1940.
With a full-time staff of 24 publishing professionals, the Press currently
publishes 80-85 new books a year and has over
1,500 titles in print. It has well-established lists in Atlantic World and
American history, American literature, African American studies, southern
studies, and environmental studies, as well as a growing presence in the fields
of geography, urban studies, international affairs, and security studies.
Because it is
affiliated with a land-grant institution that is the flagship university in
Georgia, the Press has a long-standing commitment to publishing books about the
state and region, including natural history field guides and other heavily
illustrated works. It is also a long-time publisher of creative writing through
books published in conjunction with the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short
Fiction, the Associated Writers and Writing Programs Award for Creative
Nonfiction, and other literary competitions and series. The publishing program
has been nationally recognized, and in recent years a number of books published
by the Press have won major awards. For more information, please visit the Press website.
The Press is
located on the University of Georgia’s historic North Campus in Athens, Georgia. Perennially rated as one of the nation's top
college towns, Athens offers a vibrant place to work and live. With Atlanta 70 miles to the west, Athens
offers good proximity to the city while maintaining a small-town culture and feel. Athens offers a nationally recognized
music scene, great restaurants, a local food movement, and a vibrant downtown
area with independently owned businesses. Please visit here for more information about Athens.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in the humanities or social
sciences. At least 5 years of
acquisitions experience, with a university press or trade publisher, in one or
more of the fields in which the Press currently publishes. Academic background and experience sufficient
to facilitate constructive interaction with scholars, colleagues, and
university administration. Experience in
helping to shape a press’s editorial program.
Thorough knowledge of publishing trends and markets for both academic
and general-interest titles. Proven managerial and leadership skills. Active
participation in the Association of American University Presses. Ability to
work independently and imaginatively in seeking out promising book projects.
Ability to manage multiple, deadline-driven projects simultaneously. Knowledge
of copyright and contracts as they relate to book publishing.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree preferred. Budgeting and
forecasting experience preferred.
The full description of duties and application instructions is available here.
The University of
Georgia values diversity in its faculty, students, and staff and strongly
encourages applications from underrepresented minority candidates. The
University of Georgia is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
