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Senior Acquisitions Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Working within stated deadlines, the RFP Editor collaborates directly with senior stakeholders in Sales, Marketing, Investments, Legal and other business units, to strategically and accurately ...

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Senior Acquisitions Editor information

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$37K

$83.1K

$120.5K

How much do senior acquisitions editor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior acquisitions editor in the United States is $83,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $104,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Acquisitions Editor collaborate with authors and internal teams during the manuscript development process?

A Senior Acquisitions Editor works closely with prospective and contracted authors to shape book proposals and guide manuscripts toward publication. This involves providing editorial feedback, coordinating with peer reviewers, and ensuring the manuscript aligns with the publisher's goals. Additionally, the editor collaborates with marketing, production, and design teams to ensure a smooth workflow and successful book launch. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for managing these cross-functional relationships and meeting publication timelines.

What are Senior Acquisitions Editors?

Senior Acquisitions Editors are experienced publishing professionals responsible for identifying, evaluating, and acquiring new content for publication, such as books, journals, or digital media. They work closely with authors, agents, and internal teams to shape the publisher’s catalog and ensure that the acquired works align with the company’s goals and market trends. Senior Acquisitions Editors often oversee contract negotiations, manage project timelines, and provide editorial direction to help bring high-quality content to market. Their role is crucial in maintaining the publishing house’s reputation and profitability by selecting works that will succeed both critically and commercially.

What is the difference between Senior Acquisitions Editor vs Acquisitions Editor?

AspectSenior Acquisitions EditorAcquisitions Editor
CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in publishing or editingBachelor's degree, entry-level in publishing
Work EnvironmentEditorial teams, publishing houses, academic or trade publishersEditorial departments, publishing companies, media organizations
ResponsibilitiesOversees acquisition process, manages editors, evaluates submissionsAssesses submissions, negotiates contracts, supports acquisition decisions

The main difference is that a Senior Acquisitions Editor has more experience, leadership responsibilities, and oversees the acquisition process, while an Acquisitions Editor focuses on evaluating submissions and supporting acquisition decisions at an entry or mid-level. Both roles work closely within publishing teams but differ in scope and seniority.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Acquisitions Editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Acquisitions Editor, you need a deep understanding of publishing markets, strong editorial judgment, and experience in content acquisition, typically supported by a relevant degree and prior editorial roles. Familiarity with editorial management systems, market analytics tools, and contract negotiation platforms is commonly required. Outstanding communication, relationship building, and negotiation skills set top editors apart, enabling effective collaboration with authors and stakeholders. These skills and qualities are critical for identifying high-potential content, securing publishing rights, and driving a successful publishing portfolio.
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University Press Acquisition Editor Sr

University Press Acquisition Editor Sr

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY • On-site

$47K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


University Of Kentucky rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 131 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

263rd of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Details
Job Title University Press Acquisition Editor Sr Requisition Number RE54641 Working Title Senior Acquisitions Editor Department Name 88400:University Press Work Location Lexington, KY Grade Level 45 Salary Range $47,278-78,000/year Type of Position Staff Position Time Status Full-Time Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies Required Related Experience

5 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
Sitting for long periods, occasional lifting objects up to 25 lbs
Shift
40 hours/week from Monday to Friday; Occasional weekends and job related travel.
Job Summary
The Senior Acquisitions Editor is responsible for acquiring and coordinating publication of approximately 20 or more high quality trade and scholarly books annually . The Senior Acquisitions Editor will work closely with Editor in Chief, Press Director, staff, authors, and series editors to shape the list as well as individual projects. The Senior Acquisitions Editor will review and evaluate manuscripts and proposals, negotiate and execute contracts with appropriate authors, and present projects to the Editorial Board. The Senior Acquisitions Editor will prepare financial information on all prospective titles, work with authors to seek publication funding, and work with authors to prepare final manuscripts for copyediting. Attend conferences and events, and represent the Press in a professional manner. Schedule and conduct meetings and workshops with board members, administrators, and prospective authors at press consortium institutions. The candidate should have a thorough working knowledge of the publishing process, including development in editorial and marketing. The Senior Acquisitions Editor may supervise both permanent and temporary/student acquisitions assistants as well as interns.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Microsoft Excel required. Filemaker Pro and working knowledge of Adobe InDesign preferred.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes Preferred Education/Experience
Masters degree and five years experience in acquisitions and/or marketing with a scholarly publisher preferred
Deadline to Apply 07/03/2026 Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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About University of Kentucky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Kentucky (UK), the state's flagship university, was founded in 1865 and its beautiful, sprawling campus, nestled in downtown Lexington, now covers over 900 acres and is home to more than 30,000 students and approximately 13,500 employees. The trees and beautifully manicured greenspaces are a source of pride for the university and combine to create an impressive oasis amidst the busy cityscape that surrounds it.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Lexington, KY, US

Year founded

1865