Senior Editor

Job Summary

Getty Publications is seeking a full-time Senior Editor to join the staff of its Editorial Department. Reporting to the Editor in Chief, the Senior Editor will work closely with authors, designers, production coordinators, and other Getty staff and freelancers to develop, pitch, and produce a wide range of high-quality illustrated art books with an initial focus on general-audience titles that complement the collections and expertise of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Senior Editor may also edit exhibition catalogues, collections-based titles, academic monographs, trade titles, and children’s books, for both print and digital formats.

Getty Publications produces award-winning books that result from or complement the work of the J. Paul Getty Museum , the Getty Conservation Institute , the Getty Research Institute , and the Getty Foundation . The approximately 30 titles published each year cover the fields of art, photography, archaeology, architecture, conservation, and the humanities for both the general public and specialists.

Getty Publications offers a collegial and collaborative environment where work-life balance is prioritized. We support a hybrid work schedule, with some days at our Getty Center offices and some days at home. Staff members can choose to participate in community service and serve on committees on accessibility; mentorship and community building; and sustainability.

The Role

Under broad direction from the Editor in Chief and Managing Editor, the Senior Editor assumes full project management responsibility, performing all editorial functions—including proposal pitches and acquisitions, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading—for publications on a variety of topics and with different levels of complexity, from concept through transmittal. The Senior Editor works as part of a book team, project managing alongside staff from Rights, Design, and Production, and overseeing freelance contractors. Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance pool. Performs numerous tasks related to editorial development of publication content from strategic idea development and acquisition, peer review, project approval, manuscript development, and text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Identifies, generates, and recommends to leadership new book publishing opportunities based on organizational priorities, working with potential authors to develop viable project proposals and prepare sample materials
• Under broad direction from supervisor, negotiates contracts with authors, agents, packagers, and freelance consultants
• Provides editorial project management for print and digital publications for a wide range of audiences and of various levels of complexity
• Collaborates closely with colleagues in Design and Production as well as Rights to establish schedule and track progress against schedule and budget
• Ensures high quality of work performed by all consultants, including peer reviewers, translators, project editors, copyeditors, proofreaders, and indexers
• Maintains project records and regularly reports on project status
• With minimal supervision from manager, supervises peer review process: solicits and contracts reviewers, evaluates reviews, and works with authors to address concerns
• Works closely with Rights Coordinators to ensure that illustrations can be acquired and transmitted according to schedule
• May serve as a resource for development of budget and publications specifications in book project approval process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the humanities (preferably in English or Art History); Master's degree preferred
• At least 7 years of relevant publishing experience, preferably including 4 years in either an art publishing or museum environment

Note: Los Angeles residency is required. This position is NOT fully remote and operates on a hybrid in-office and work-from-home schedule.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven copyediting and proofreading skills; excellent knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style
• Proficient in Microsoft products (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive) and collaboration tools such as Zoom and Docusign
• Reading knowledge or familiarity with one or more European languages preferred
• Substantial knowledge of art history and visual culture
• Demonstrated excellence in project management
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; capable of interacting professionally with various stakeholders
• Proven ability to work independently
• Able to adapt to changes and shifting priorities while maintaining a positive attitude