Acquisitions Editor: Physical Education - Human Kinetics

Human Kinetics is headquartered in Champaign, IL. This position is eligible for on-site, hybrid, or fully remote work.

Remote workers may not reside in the following locations: CA, CO, Washington, D.C., HI, MA, Montgomery County, MD, MN, NM, NY, RI, WA, or Chicago/Cook County.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Human Kinetics is committed to building a more diverse workforce. We welcome BIPOC candidates and others who identify with underrepresented groups to apply.

Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication, arrest, or conviction as part of the application process.

*Learn more about our perks and benefits here: https://us.humankinetics.com/pages/human-kinetics-compensation-benefits-information

Human Kinetics is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Human Kinetics will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR at 217-403-7609.

Human Kinetics Compensation & Benefits Information

Compensation Philosophy Our compensation philosophy is to value the contributions of all HK employees and to reward exceptional performance exceptionally. To do that, we provide a standard increase to all HK staff, and we award merit increases and bonuses to people who make extraordinary contributions to the work we do.

Job Summary 

​​The acquisitions editor (AcqEd) is responsible for acquiring products that increase profitability and advance the editorial mission of the division. This includes conceptualizing new resources, recruiting and contracting authors, reviewing manuscripts, and guiding products through the development process. The AcqEd oversees physical education and related subject areas, including adapted physical education, PE products with a health education component, and some health education products.​ 

Essential Functions 

1. Maintain a high awareness of developments in the field of physical education and related subject areas, including trends, competition, and advancements.   
2. Cultivate and maintain a vast and respected network of subject matter experts within physical education and related subject areas. 
3. Monitor the performance, profitability, and accuracy of published resources in physical education and related subject areas; recommend revisions or replacement as needed. 
4. Prepare internal acquisitions proposals that contribute to the editorial mission of the division, analyzing project strengths, weaknesses, target market(s), and profitability.  
5. Screen and recruit authors. 
6. Provide guidance and direction to authors in their preparation of acquisition materials.  
7. Negotiate agreements with authors, editors, contributors, literary agents, and others within the parameters discussed with, and agreed to by, the division director.  
8. Work with authors and editors to ensure the manuscript adheres to the contracted parameters and all content is in line with HK standards. 
9. Review and transmit the manuscript to Product Development. Work with internal staff to shape the project, and ensure budgets and schedules are met. 
10. Contribute to the packaging of products, including consultation with the division director on title, cover and interior design, and marketing copy and materials.  
11. Work with authors and internal staff to identify marketing, publicity, and sales opportunities for the division's products.  

Secondary Functions 

1. Regularly evaluate published products to ensure and maintain quality and make suggestions to further promote the products and increase sales. 
2. Evaluate and assess unsolicited submissions; respond to inquiries from interested authors, agents, and partners.  
3. As the budget allows, attend conferences and trade shows to recruit authors and partners and represent the division. 
4. Prepare reports on projects being pursued, in development, or recently published.  

Job Qualifications

Education/Certifications: Undergraduate degree in physical education or related subject area or in a publishing-related discipline is required. 

Graduate degree in physical education or related subject area, or in a publishing-related discipline is preferred.

Must hold a valid U.S. Driver's License.

Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience in physical education or related subject areas, and/or professional certification(s) in those subject areas is required.

Preferred Experience: We prefer candidates have developed a network of contacts in the relevant field that can be drawn on for expertise and potential authors.

2+ years of demonstrated success as acquisitions editor (or equivalent position) in professional, academic, or trade book publishing. 

Required Competencies:

Integrity 

Effort 

Resourcefulness 

Respect 

Teamwork 

Stewardship 

Accountability 

Attention to detail 

Computer literacy 

Conceptual thinking 

Customer focus 

Data gathering and analysis 

Financial awareness 

Initiative 

Interpersonal awareness 

Negotiating 

Organizational awareness 

Planning and organizing 

Quality orientation 

Results orientation 

Sociability and networking 

Technical expertise and usage 

Use of functional expertise 

Written communication 

Self-confidence 

Strategic thinking 

Stress tolerance 

Preferred Competencies: 

Adaptability 

Continuous learning 

External strategic thinking 

Innovation orientation 

Persuasiveness 

Job Demands

Office Equipment: Frequent phone and computer use. Occasional use of a copy machine.

Mental Demands: Frequent problem-solving, supervision, organization, and reading/writing skills required. Occasional decision-making and data interpretation skills required.

Working Conditions: Indoor, office environment. Occasional conference attendance.

Physical Demands: Frequent sitting and walking. Occasional standing, lifting (25lbs.), carrying, flying, and driving required.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Credit Card Security: This position has access to customer credit card data and must comply with all policies and procedures designed to keep that data from being compromised.