Executive Editor, Convergent - Faith, Spirituality, & Wellness Books

Job Description

Executive Editor, Convergent - Faith, Spirituality, & Wellness Books (Open to Remote)

The Convergent imprint of Penguin Random House is seeking an Executive Editor to join its team.

Reporting to the Editorial Director of Convergent, this editor will solicit, acquire, evaluate, and develop nonfiction manuscripts across all genres published by the imprint, including personal growth, inspirational, self-help, humor, pop-culture, social commentary, and relationships. We're looking for someone with strong author and agent relationships and a track record of bringing high-quality books from idea to commercial success.

Convergent is an imprint of the Random House Group that seeks out diverse viewpoints and honest conversations that shed light on the defining challenges facing people of faith today. Our books help readers ask important questions, find paths forward in disagreement, and shape the way faith is expressed in the modern world. Representing a broad spectrum of Christian thought, both explicit and implicit, we publish in the categories of memoir, self-help, social issues, spiritual development, and lifestyle. Bestselling and notable authors include Austin Channing Brown, Richard Rohr, Kate Bowler, Jedidiah Jenkins, Matthew Paul Turner, Roma Downey, Sarah Bessey, Erwin McManus, Jenny Marrs, Esau McCaulley, and Kevin and Melissa Fredericks.

Specific responsibilities include:
• Actively soliciting and acquiring manuscripts in areas including personal growth, inspirational, self-help, humor, pop-culture, social commentary, and relationships, with an emphasis on high-profile female voices
• Working with authors on concepts, outlines, and line-by-line revisions.
• Acting as an ambassador for the imprint with the agent community, both by cultivating new agent relationships and maintaining existing ones
• Positioning books to reach their target readerships, working with cover department, publicity, and marketing on developing publishing plans to reach the widest possible audience
• Working with production and managing editorial departments on copyediting, schedule, and design
• Preparing sales materials as needed, including title information sheets, launch presentations, endorsement requests, and flap copy, along with reading guide questions and value-add materials
• Keeping abreast of current marketplace trends and contributing ideas for the imprint's future growth
• Handling daily correspondence, office work, phones, and attend required meetings
• Handling special projects, backlist titles, and house authors as assigned and working collaboratively with the larger team
• Helping to mentor younger editors and give second reads for editorial colleagues; providing supervision to a shared editorial assistant.

The ideal candidate will be:
• Someone with least 7 years of relevant editorial experience in trade book publishing
• Someone with a track record of acquiring and publishing profitable, high-quality books
• A meticulous editor who excels at helping authors get their very best book onto the page
• An avid reader who keeps up with trends and has an abiding interest in current events and religious nonfiction
• Someone with excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• A skilled negotiator
• A team player who treats others with respect and builds strong internal & external relationships with departments, authors, agents, and other stakeholders.
• Someone who is detail-oriented, proficient in creative problem solving, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively

The salary range for this position is $87,000-$100,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results. Please apply by October 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm EDT using our online application process, and please include your resume and cover letter.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gqen8x-3-129-206-232-42 in your application.