The Acquisitions Editor –Women, Parenting, and Families is responsible for ideating, acquiring, and building innovative physical and digital book products for Moody Publishers. This role requires top-level discretion in the decision-making, and the exercise of independent judgment, on the front-end of our core business (which books/authors we publish) on an everyday basis. This person must also possess the ability to ideate, edit, and coach projects/authors to a successful end—this work is highly intellectual and specialized (often taking years of training and experience to succeed). In addition, they are jointly accountable for the financial performance of each book they acquire.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Acquisitions: Acquire trade books for women writing for and to women. Acquire trade books for parents about all aspects of parenting. Acquire trade books for families, specifically focusing on marriage. This includes (but is not limited to) books on spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines, the Christian life, family, personal growth, work/life balance, community, and answering evergreen questions with high quality products from a biblical worldview. These books may be traditional trade books, collections of essays, true stories with purpose to teach, books with visual aids/elements, or Bible studies. Main focus is on traditional trade books.
• Judgment: Ensure that all content reflects the mission, vision, and values of Moody Bible Institute, with a special emphasis on biblical orientation, accuracy, professionalism, and achievement of ministry and financial objectives. This includes interaction with authors and literary agents and having independent agency to make decisions on active book proposals.
• Job Knowledge: Exhibit editorial expertise to recognize, improve, and finish tasks related to the creation of our core products.
• Communication: Interact with authors and audience leaders regularly to develop an acquisitions strategy that is tailored to your audience based on market trends/reader’s needs. Be a coach and the primary communication channel for our organization with our authors.
• Project Management: Ensure that new titles are produced efficiently and on schedule by working with our authors and our internal team to see that relevant deadlines are met and all necessary metadata is available and accurate in PPM on scheduled due dates.
• Negotiation: Negotiate/oversee the signing of author agreements, in conjunction with the Editorial Director and our Legal Department.
• Consultation: Maintain a healthy level of engagement with the Editorial team on content development to deliver the best possible connection with and influence of the reader. Provide theological and editorial consultation to the team and the Acquisitions Director in areas of expertise.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Collaborate with the Creative and Marketing/Sales teams to ensure that each title reaches its intended audience and achieves its projected level of sales.
• Perform other related and special duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree Required (in a related field of study, e.g. English, Creative Writing, Journalism, Process Management, etc.). Master’s or Doctoral Level Education Preferred (Theology, Bible, etc.)
• Five years experience in a related field (editing, publishing management, related ministry, teaching, etc.)
• Literary skills to recognize strong content and gifted writing (this includes relevant experience, references, and training).
• Loves books.
• Strong theological grounding (with a background in related ministry field/training) and an appreciation for Moody’s platform.
• Able to work in the US legally without sponsorship

Preferred Requirements

• Entrepreneurial thinker with an intuitive grasp of what will resonate with readers.
• A practical sense of how to make each acquisition a good business decision.
• Networking abilities to engage audiences and discern emerging voices.
• Organized individual with self-starting capabilities, able to prioritize a task list.
• Understanding of the inner workings of the publishing process as a whole.

Work Environment/Conditions

Moody Bible Institute is a Christian-based Higher Education and Media Ministry. We exist to equip people with the Truth of God’s Word. If you are mission-minded, and have a servant’s heart, join us as we look to further impact the Kingdom of God.

• The ideal candidate will be able to travel to the Chicago campus three times per year and will be able to function in a fully remote environment. Therefore, this individual must be able to work independently and reliably on their own with the support of their supervisor.
• Some U.S. travel will be required for this position.

Additional Information

Moody Bible Institute is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Candidates must align with MBI’s Christian identity. Employees are expected to sign a Statement of Faith and adhere to the Community Standards.

We comply with all applicable laws pertaining to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and any other applicable legally protected category. As a religious institution, we have the right to, and do, require that employees hold beliefs consistent with our Doctrinal Statement and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with our religious beliefs, as explained in our Community Standards.