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Acquisition Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

The Playbook Editor will work in close partnership with the authors, senior editor and executive producer to deliver an indispensable daily read for the people shaping U.S. politics. Creativity and a ...

The Playbook Editor will work in close partnership with the authors, senior editor and executive producer to deliver an indispensable daily read for the people shaping U.S. politics. Creativity and a ...

Acquisitions Editor - Business Discipline

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$90K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

As Acquisitions Editor for Business and Management, you are responsible for strategically filling ... At least 3-4 years of book acquisition, content development, marketing, and/or sales experience ...

Technical Writer/Editor

Vienna, VA · On-site

$82K - $102K/yr

Specific duties include supporting the writing and editing of acquisition packages, which include but are not limited to market research, acquisition document development, cost/price estimates ...

New

Economics Editor, CNBC

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This editor will play a central role in shaping how CNBC explains the forces driving markets ... Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the ...

... efficient acquisition, business process, training, IT, administrative and security services to multiple federal agencies. SFS is looking for Editor to provide services to provide the NGB Staff ...

Technical Editor

Arlington, VA · On-site

$79K - $113K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Technical Editor will review and provide detailed editorial feedback on technical documents ... applying acquisition efforts and RDT&E toward the DHS mission * Communicating findings and ...

... efficient acquisition, business process, training, IT, administrative and security services to multiple federal agencies. SFS is looking for Editor to provide services to provide the NGB Staff ...

Assistant Managing Editor

Washington, DC · Remote

$104K - $174K/yr

... acquisitions, security and more. Law360, which serves more than 2.7 million readers every day, is ... About the Role Law360 is seeking an Assistant Managing Editor to lead the editorial side of our ...

Assistant Managing Editor

Washington, DC · Remote

$104K - $174K/yr

... acquisitions, security and more. Law360, which serves more than 2.7 million readers every day, is ... About the Role Law360 is seeking an Assistant Managing Editor to lead the editorial side of our ...

Assistant Managing Editor

Washington, DC · Remote

$104K - $174K/yr

... acquisitions, security and more. Law360, which serves more than 2.7 million readers every day, is ... About the Role Law360 is seeking an Assistant Managing Editor to lead the editorial side of our ...

Acquistion Specialist

Mclean, VA · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... Editing skills. • ASA (ALT) or Army Program Office experience desired • Possesses or ability to possess DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management • Experience in Agile approach ...

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Showing results 1-20

Acquisition Editor information

See Washington salary details

$12.5K

$67.5K

$73.6K

How much do acquisition editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for acquisition editor in Washington is $67,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Acquisition Editor vs Content Editor?

AspectAcquisition EditorContent Editor
Primary RoleSecures new content, evaluates submissions, and acquires publishing rights.Revises, edits, and improves existing content for clarity and quality.
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with authors, agents, and publishers during acquisition process.Works closely with authors and production teams on manuscript editing.
Required SkillsStrong negotiation, industry knowledge, and editorial judgment.Editing, proofreading, and content development skills.

While both roles involve editing and industry knowledge, Acquisition Editors focus on acquiring new content and negotiating deals, whereas Content Editors concentrate on refining and improving existing manuscripts. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in publishing.

What is an acquisition editor?

Acquisition editors are publishing professionals responsible for identifying, evaluating, and acquiring new manuscripts or book proposals for publication. They review submissions, assess their market potential, and work closely with authors to develop their projects. Acquisition editors also negotiate contracts and coordinate with other departments, such as marketing and production, to bring books to market successfully. Their goal is to build a strong and profitable publishing list by selecting works that align with the publisher's vision and market demand.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an acquisition editor?

To thrive as an Acquisition Editor, you need a strong background in publishing, literary evaluation, and market analysis, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in editorial roles. Familiarity with manuscript tracking systems, content management platforms, and contract management tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills help you identify promising authors and projects while collaborating with internal teams. These competencies are crucial for acquiring high-quality content that meets market demands and drives publishing success.

How much do acquisition editors make?

Acquisition editors typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the publishing company. Senior or specialized acquisition editors can earn over $100,000. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses and health insurance.

How do you become an acquisition editor?

To become an acquisition editor, typically one needs a bachelor's degree in publishing, communications, or a related field, along with experience in editing, publishing, or literary agent work. Strong communication, negotiation skills, and knowledge of the publishing industry are essential, and familiarity with editing tools like Microsoft Word or editing software can be beneficial. Entry often involves starting in editorial assistant roles before progressing to acquisition positions.

What are some common challenges faced by acquisition editors when evaluating new manuscripts?

Acquisition Editors often encounter the challenge of balancing market trends with the publisher's editorial vision while assessing new manuscripts. They must carefully evaluate the commercial potential and originality of submissions, sometimes making tough decisions when a manuscript is promising but not a perfect fit for their list. Additionally, they frequently juggle multiple projects and tight deadlines, requiring strong organizational and communication skills to coordinate between authors, agents, and internal teams. Building and maintaining relationships with authors and agents is also crucial, as it ensures a steady pipeline of quality submissions.

What are popular job titles related to Acquisition Editor jobs in Washington?

For Acquisition Editor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Acquisition Editor jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Acquisition Editor jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Acquisition Editor jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Acquisition Editor job openings:

Infographic showing various Acquisition Editor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,527 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Playbook Editor

Politico

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Description:
POLITICO is seeking a Playbook Editor to help guide the next chapter of Washington's most influential political newsletter.
The Playbook Editor will work in close partnership with the authors, senior editor and executive producer to deliver an indispensable daily read for the people shaping U.S. politics. Creativity and a strong collaborative approach will be required to engage POLITICO's newsroom to surface exclusive reporting, sharp analysis and behind-the-scenes insights that make Playbook a must-open read every morning.
In a fast-changing media landscape reshaped by technology and AI, the Playbook editor will constantly look for inventive ways to surprise readers, distinguish POLITICO's journalism and define what it means to cover Washington at the highest level.
Who You Are:
  • You thrive in a fast-moving news environment and enjoy making quick, smart editorial decisions
  • You're a strong line editor who can improve copy while preserving reporters' voices
  • You have excellent news judgment and know how to prioritize competing stories
  • You're collaborative, calm under pressure and comfortable working across multiple teams
  • You're comfortable working independently while coordinating with editors across the newsroom

What You'll Do:
  • Drive daily editorial direction: Work with the Playbook authors to determine what leads the newsletter and which stories capture the day's power dynamics in Washington
  • Harness POLITICO's newsroom: Work with the executive producer, senior editor and desks across the newsroom to elevate exclusive reporting, original analysis and fresh insights
  • Shape and sharpen the product: Develop the daily outline with the authors, senior editor and executive producer, then help draft and edit the next morning's edition to ensure a smart, engaging and buzzy newsletter
  • Curate and contextualize: Identify the most compelling political nuggets, forward-looking trends and parlor-room intrigue that our audience craves
  • Collaborate seamlessly: Participate in daily editorial meetings, maintain close communication with colleagues throughout the news cycle, and help set the agenda for Washington's morning conversation

What You'll Need:
  • Deep knowledge of Washington politics, institutions, and personalities - and the ability to distill complex power dynamics into lively, authoritative prose
  • Proven experience as a political editor or senior writer in a fast-paced, deadline-driven newsroom
  • Exceptional editorial judgment, writing and line-editing skills
  • A collaborative mindset and an instinct for illuminating, forward-looking journalism
  • A passion for breaking news, exclusive scoops, and smart analysis that goes beyond the headlines
  • A willingness to work evening and weekend hours (Sunday night-Thursday night) regularly

We value our people. Click here for more on what we offer and what it's like to work for POLITICO.
Let's keep in touch. You can view our list of open positions here.
About Us.
POLITICO illuminates the forces shaping global power. Since 2007, we have delivered intelligence that anticipates tomorrow's headlines, not reports on yesterday's news. As politics has increasingly become the defining force of our era, our work has never been more vital.
Cabinet secretaries and Ministers start their mornings with our analysis. CEOs shape strategy around our reporting. Advocacy leaders rely on our insights to move policy. We deliver the straightforward facts and clear-eyed analysis they need to navigate the most complex political landscape of our lifetimes.
Our 1,100+ publishing professionals across the world's key democratic capitals-Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, Sacramento, and New York-form the world's premier politics and policy newsroom. We tell the story of how power really works by explaining who wields it and how they plan to exercise it, connecting dots others miss and delivering scoops from sources others don't even know exist.
Innovation has always been a core tenet of our story. At launch, we bet that depth would trump scale, that talent would trump traffic, and that politics would become central to modern life. In 2011, we made another bet and launched POLITICO Pro to help decision-makers understand the business of government, transforming both how they shape government action and the business of journalism itself.
These bets have made POLITICO the most successful digital news startup of its generation and the indispensable resource for leaders who shape the future. Today, we are a rarity in media: a growing, profitable, and sustainable news organization.
POLITICO is a subsidiary of Axel Springer SE, a family-owned transatlantic media company headquartered in Berlin and New York. Axel Springer is dedicated to shaping the future of journalism in the free world, believing that a free and informed society is essential to democracy. The company's guiding principles - first articulated as The Essentials by founder Axel Springer in the aftermath of World War II - remain a cornerstone of the company's foundation today. Learn more about Axel Springer.
Posting date:
2026-07-30
Title:
Playbook Editor