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About the Role

Simon & Schuster is seeking an accomplished and entrepreneurial Editorial Director of Nonfiction to join Atria Books. This role will work closely with the publisher to build a vibrant, editorially distinctive, commercially successful nonfiction list. The ideal candidate brings exceptional editorial judgment, strong author and agent relationships, and a proven ability to identify emerging voices, anticipate reader interests, and develop books with both immediate appeal and lasting backlist potential.

Responsibilities

Acquire a strong list of nonfiction titles that supports Atria’s editorial identity, commercial goals, and long-term growth.
Identify and cultivate writers, journalists, experts, public figures, and emerging voices with distinctive perspectives and the ability to connect with readers.
Develop original book concepts and proactively seek out authors to bring them to life.
Build and maintain productive relationships with literary agents and other sources of talent.
Evaluate proposals and manuscripts for editorial quality, originality, audience potential, competitive positioning, and financial viability.
Present acquisitions with a clear publishing vision, supported by market insight, comparable titles, and financial analysis.
Negotiate acquisitions in collaboration with imprint leadership and the contracts team.
Guide authors through the development and revision process, providing substantive editorial direction that strengthens structure, narrative, voice, clarity, and reader engagement.
Manage projects from acquisition through publication, maintaining high editorial standards and meeting established schedules.
Build lasting author relationships through thoughtful communication, creative collaboration, and strategic career development.
Work with authors and relevant colleagues to address sourcing, permissions, and legal review needs as appropriate.
Collaborate with marketing, publicity, sales, design, managing editorial, production, and subsidiary rights teams to develop and execute cohesive publishing plans.
Shape titles, subtitles, cover direction, positioning, and descriptive copy to communicate each book’s appeal and reach its intended audience.
Serve as an enthusiastic and persuasive advocate for books and authors at internal meetings and sales presentations.
Monitor sales performance, reader interests, and developments in media and culture to inform acquisitions, identify growth opportunities, and support backlist sales.
Identify opportunities to expand authors’ readership across formats, markets, and sales channels.
Balance creative ambition with sound commercial judgment, including attention to advances, production costs, schedules, and profitability.
Partner with imprint leadership on nonfiction list planning, publishing priorities, and opportunities to expand Atria’s readership and influence.
Help develop a balanced publishing program that includes established authors, emerging talent, timely subjects, and books with enduring appeal.
Mentor editorial colleagues, providing guidance on acquisitions, manuscript development, author relationships, and publishing strategy.
Build a collaborative editorial environment that welcomes fresh ideas and a broad range of voices and perspectives.
Represent Atria within the publishing community and at relevant industry and cultural events.

Requirements

Significant experience in trade nonfiction publishing, typically eight or more years, with a demonstrated record of successful acquisitions and editorial development.
A strong track record of publishing commercially successful books in one or more nonfiction categories relevant to Atria.
Established relationships with literary agents and a demonstrated ability to discover and attract new talent.
Exceptional developmental editing skills, including the ability to strengthen narrative, sharpen arguments, and preserve an author’s distinctive voice.
Strong understanding of nonfiction audiences, author platforms, and how readers discover and engage with books.
Broad intellectual curiosity, cultural awareness, and the ability to recognize subjects and voices with meaningful publishing potential.
Experience evaluating acquisition financials, negotiating deals, and managing the commercial considerations of a publishing list.
Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining close attention to detail.
A collaborative leadership style and experience mentoring or developing editorial talent.

Skills

Editorial judgment
Author and agent relationships
Identifying emerging voices
Anticipating reader interests
Developing books
Acquisitions
List development
Cultivating writers
Developing book concepts
Evaluating proposals and manuscripts
Financial analysis
Negotiating acquisitions
Developmental editing
Author development
Project management
Publishing strategy
Collaboration
Marketing
Publicity
Sales
Design
Managing editorial
Production
Subsidiary rights
Book positioning
Sales presentations
Sales performance monitoring
Reader interest monitoring
Commercial judgment
List planning
Editorial leadership
Mentoring
Communication
Presentation
Organization
Relationship-building

Location

New York City

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Eight or more years of experience in trade nonfiction publishing

Salary/Compensations

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Benefits

Medical
Dental
Vision
401(k) plan
Life insurance coverage
Disability benefits
Tuition assistance program
PTO
Broad Based Ownership program

About the Company

Simon & Schuster was named to Forbes magazine list of America's Best Mid-Size Employers 2022.
Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats.
Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world's most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards.
It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Pocket Books, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories.
For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

Equal Opportunity

Simon & Schuster US is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).
At Simon & Schuster US, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do.
We believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression), age, citizenship status, marital status, and Veteran status where protected by law or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.