Position Overview

The book publishing team at Forbes Books has an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced professional to ensure the highest editorial excellence standard for all published books. The Senior Developmental Editor (DE) serves as the editorial lead, ensuring the highest standard of editorial excellence for all books published. The person in this role performs developmental and/or substantive edits to assigned manuscripts and provides editorial direction as it relates to voice and tone, structure and flow, style and grammatical consistency, etc. The DE is responsible for adhering to multiple projects’ writing and editorial timelines and book plans while collaborating closely with authors, client teams, ghostwriters, and other publishing-industry professionals. 

Success in this role requires a keen eye for detail, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to provide constructive feedback clearly, and superb communication skills and time management.

Responsibilities

• Maintains Advantage’s reputation for excellent service to its high-achieving authors, navigating their high standards with professionalism.
• Serves as editorial lead for multiple book projects simultaneously–at least fifty book projects annually. As the editorial lead, the SDE organizes, plans, and manages the execution of the editorial process with precision and tact.
• Ensures content meets the goals and objectives detailed in the book plan and that the manuscript remains within the contracted scope, including word count, research hours, footnotes, etc.
• Ensures all developmental edits are completed within the project timeline and/or appropriately and proactively communicates any shifts to the timeline to the project team, publishing leaders, and the author as needed.
• Oversees and collaborates with external ghostwriters and other editorial vendors, maintaining clear two-way communication to protect project scope, budget, and schedule. 
• Completes Line Edit and final content review for quality assurance, and secures final member sign-offs on Line Edits.
• Provides concise project status updates, anticipating workflow challenges and communicating potential solutions to internal stakeholders on a timely basis.
• Oversees and edits written collateral, including book descriptions, cover/web copy, author bios, etc.
• Reports budget updates to publishing leadership and finance teams.
• Performs production-related tasks as needed or assigned, including styling manuscripts for typesetting, leading titling research and brainstorming sessions, performing plagiarism and AI text checks, flagging items for permissions and releases, curating image files, and proofreading endorsements.
• Participates in project-related meetings, such as team meetings and project launch meetings.

Core Competencies

• Editorial expertise: Fluency in The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) and familiarity with observing both CMoS and a house style guide simultaneously. Demonstrable understanding of various levels of editing.
• Nonfiction background: Minimum five years’ experience in book publishing, with a preferred category focus in business, finance, marketing, management, motivation, self-help, biography, and/or autobiography.
• Attention to detail: A meticulous attention to all aspects of deliverables in an editing and production workflow and a proven process for keeping tasks and milestones from slipping through the cracks.
• Project management: Previous experience in managing multiple projects at different stages simultaneously and ensuring high-quality standards by independently managing priorities and meeting assigned due dates on schedule.
• Author focus: Demonstrates the spirit to serve. Makes authors feel integrated with all aspects of the editorial process with an informed ability to manage expectations of book elements, publication dates, and author costs.
• Capacity to coach: Mentors and assists authors through all high-level editorial phases of their project. 
• Excellent communication skills: Communicates clearly and regularly with the publishing team members, including production editors, designers, copy editors, and proofreaders, as well as the book architecture, ghostwriting, manufacturing, book promotions, distribution, and publishing leadership teams.
• Flexibility/adaptability: Adjusts quickly to changing priorities and conditions, and eliminates and/or navigates project scope creep proactively, quickly, and efficiently.
• Problem-solving mindset: Flexible attitude to test new approaches and adjust activities in order to solve unique client challenges.
• Commitment to teamwork: Establish an overall collaborative working relationship with internal and external team members and publishing leadership while maintaining Monday boards and documents as required for each project, so all project team members are aware of the current content status. Highly skilled at soliciting freelance work of the highest caliber and pivoting the team when deliverables fall short.
• Calm under pressure: Maintains stable performance and unflinching professional standards when under heavy pressure or stress.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field 
• 5+ years of experience in written content editorial, with a preferred category focus in business, finance, marketing, management, motivation, self-help, biography, and/or autobiography.
• Familiarity with industry-standard publishing tools and software 

Preferred Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the book publishing industry.
  
  
• Work Environment
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, and telephone. Near visual acuity is required in order to work with computers. 
• May occasionally require the employee to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Employees should be able to sit for an extended period of time.
• Employee may be occasionally required to perform light to moderate lifting of office supplies, up to 20 pounds.

Advantage | ForbesBooks is an entrepreneurial, high-growth company with opportunities for advancement and lots of upward mobility. Professional development programs are offered. We offer great Vacation/PTO benefits, a great Medical/Dental/Vision program, 401(k) with company contribution, and other nice perks. Advantage has a solid reputation for being a great place to work and we highly value the commitment and contribution of those on our team.  

Architects are eligible for health, dental, and vision benefits the first day of the month after thirty (30) days of employment. Eligibility for all other benefits is at ninety (90) days of employment. 

Founded in 2005, Advantage | The Authority Company helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders around the globe build their impact and grow their business through authority publishing, authority media, and thought leadership consulting services.

Advantage’s Authority Publishing group is one of the most respected independent non-fiction book publishers globally. Consisting of marquee brands Forbes® Books, SXSW® Books, Entrepreneur® Books, and Advantage® Books, Advantage’s Authority Publishing group exclusively publishes CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are best in business. What began in the spare bedroom of Founder Adam Witty’s home now supports and publishes over 2,500+ authorities in 44 U.S. states and 17 countries. 

Beyond publishing, Advantage’s Authority Media group offers a suite of done-for-you services to help clients build and maintain their authority, including public relations, digital media strategies, serialized content, podcast production, and more. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders share their perspective and tell their stories to extend their audience reach and establish themselves as the go-to source for leadership in their fields. Recognized as “the authority on authority,” our mission is to help clients become thought leaders and drive business growth.

Advantage’s compelling vision, comprehensive strategy, and relentless focus on implementation are dedicated to serving CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders. With a strong emphasis on fostering growth and authority for its clients, the company creates an environment where innovation and impact thrive. If you’re excited to be part of a winning team, Advantage offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career while contributing to the success of influential leaders and businesses.