Managing Editor - HarperCollins Publishers

Are you a detailed process planner with a passion for beautiful books? Can you keep people on track and resolve issues quickly and efficiently? Are you excited to collaborate in an innovative publishing environment with top-tier authors and agents? If so, we want you on our team!

At HarperCollins Christian Publishing, our gift divisions—Thomas Nelson and Zondervan—are at the forefront of creating inspiring, high-design Christian gift books that resonate with readers worldwide. We specialize in publishing a wide range of meaningful, beautifully crafted titles including devotionals, seasonal gift books, lifestyle books, and more. From bestselling authors like Sarah Young, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Emily Ley, Sadie Robertson Huff, and David Jeremiah, to beloved brands, our imprint is dedicated to publishing works that uplift and transform lives.

Harper Celebrate is the general market gift book imprint of HarperCollins Focus specializing in formats such as daily readers, lifestyle books, cookbooks, photographic/illustrated non-fiction, along with seasonal and occasion-driven titles. Celebrate is home to a growing list of authors such as Reba McEntire, Kristin Chenoweth, Amy Bruni, Scott Seiss, and proprietary/licensed titles like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and more.

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Managing Editor to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will oversee key aspects of the book production lifecycle, managing projects from concept to completion while fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders. You will be instrumental in streamlining processes, mitigating risks, and ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables that meet budget expectations. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-paced publishing environment.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Author & Stakeholder Relations: Provide exceptional author care, nurturing existing relationships and developing new connections with internal and external partners to drive collaboration and growth.
• Project Management: Lead and manage publishing projects, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to budgets, and the completion of key performance indicators (KPIs). Act as the primary point of contact for all project-related matters, with specific collaboration with editorial staff.
• Product Development: work closely with production to become familiar with a wide-ranging of specification combinations and accurate pricing associated with each
• Risk Management & Planning: Assess potential risks early, providing strategic insight to inform decision-making and minimize exposure. Revise production and publishing plans as necessary to meet changing requirements and maximize opportunities.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Develop and document production plans in collaboration with key stakeholders and maintain strong working relationships across departments to ensure smooth project execution.
• Process Optimization: Participate in weekly Managing Editorial Meetings to stay informed on best practices, systems, and processes, and apply this knowledge to improve workflow and team efficiency.
• Data Management & Integrity: Set up ISBNs, facilitate data updates, and ensure the accuracy and integrity of project-related data throughout the lifecycle of products.
• Financial Oversight: Manage P&L (APL) development, approval, and processing, ensuring financial accountability. Set up new vendors, facilitate high-advance requests, and ensure timely payment of invoices. Assist in the budgeting process as needed
• Contract Management: Track and facilitate contract request forms (CRF), ensuring adherence to approval processes and compliance standards.
• Sales & Marketing Support: Work closely with marketing and PR teams to provide early communication on inventory planning and stock needs. Oversee the development and distribution of sales conference information, ensuring that all data is accurate and aligned with company standards.
• Publishing Transitions: Facilitate the transition of titles to print-on-demand (POD) processes as required.
• Global Tools & Catalog Management: Map titles in the Global Works Tool, apply for CIP data, and maintain and distribute the title plan to key stakeholders on a weekly basis.

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of publishing processes, including production, scheduling, and financial management.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office required, specifically Excel spreadsheets.
• Extensive project management and planning ability.
• Experience with project management software, data management systems, and tools such as RSuite, Global Works Tool, or similar platforms is a plus.
• Understanding the Christian publishing industry, with a familiarity with gift book or four-color publishing.

Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of project management experience, work experience in publishing/editorial project management preferred. 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required.

Industry Knowledge: Clear understanding of the publishing industry, editorial practices, and publishing operations preferred.

Skills:

• Avid book reader.
• Collaborative team player.
• Ability to handle multiple competing projects and priorities at one time  .
• Cooperate with brand stakeholders and creatives to achieve a better result.
• Confronts obstacles with persistence.
• Decisive, well organized, strategic planner.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, evolving industry and environment.
• Communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully and effectively.

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.