Job description
Join Aurora Press, a leading publishing house known for acclaimed fiction and non-fiction across genres. We are seeking a Senior Publishing Editor in New York to lead editorial strategy, shepherd titles from concept to publication, and develop enduring author relationships. If you have a keen eye for narrative, a track record of high-quality editorial work, and the drive to navigate complex production pipelines, this is your opportunity to shape the future of transformative storytelling.
In this role you will partner with editors, designers, rights managers, and marketing to ensure timely delivery, rigorous editorial standards, and compelling positioning in a competitive market. The ideal candidate combines exceptional editorial judgment with strong project management, a collaborative leadership style, and a passion for cultivating diverse voices.
Responsibility
- Develop and own the editorial calendar for multiple genres, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
- Guide acquisitions and editorial development, including manuscript evaluation, substantive editing, and structural recommendations.
- Lead the production workflow with design, copyediting, fact-checking, and legal rights reviews to ensure quality and compliance.
- Collaborate with marketing and publicity teams to create compelling book descriptions, metadata, and launch plans that drive discoverability.
- Manage author relationships, provide constructive feedback, and negotiate contracts and rights terms where applicable.
- Mentor junior editors and interns, building a high-performing editorial team and maintaining a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Monitor industry trends and reader preferences to inform portfolio strategy and growth opportunities.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field; master's degree a plus.
- Minimum 5 years of editorial experience in publishing, with a strong track record in acquisitions, development editing, and production.
- Excellent editorial judgment, strong writing and copyediting skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
- Proven ability to manage multiple titles simultaneously and lead cross-functional teams to meet deadlines.
- Experience with style guides (Chicago Manual of Style, AP) and rigorous copyediting standards.
- Familiarity with rights management, contracts, and licensing considerations for both domestic and international territories.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with authors, agents, and internal stakeholders.
- Experience with CMS, metadata optimization, and basic SEO principles to maximize discoverability.