Executive Editor

Executive Editor - Children's Editorial Team

If you're looking to grow your career at a company where creativity meets legacy, ABRAMS is the place for you. As a trailblazer in illustrated publishing since 1949, ABRAMS continues to set the standard for beautifully crafted books across art, design, culture, and children's literature.

We are seeking a creative, self-driven editor to lead the development of original licensed books across all age groups. The ideal candidate is deeply connected to pop culture and fandoms and brings strong knowledge of the kids, middle grade, YA, and graphic novel spaces. In this role, you will drive the creative development of original concepts and stories that build upon and expand some of the most recognized brands and entertainment properties for children and teens. You will also edit and project manage books from inception through publication. The successful candidate is adept at soliciting top-tier talent and maintains strong, established relationships with literary agents.

What you'd be doing:

• Edit approximately 10-14 licensed titles per year across categories, including YA, middle grade, graphic novels, picture books, and novelty
• Develop brands/projects and present ideas and concepts to licensors
• Manage the editorial relationships with key licensing partners such as Lucasfilm, Marvel, Disney, Hasbro, and Netflix; liaise with adult and calendar divisions as needed
• Manage and route P&Ls & participate in sales conferences and launch presentations
• Develop, nurture, and maintain new and existing relationships with authors, artists, agents, and industry professionals
• Collaborate with sales and marketing departments on positioning and plans for titles and programs, as well as communication of plans and strategy to licensors/authors/illustrators/agents; be a strong advocate for titles and programs in terms of cross-promotional opportunities and support from licensors
• Share supervision of an editorial assistant
• Attend key trade shows and consumer conferences and cons as needed

We're looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• A passion for pop culture and children's entertainment a must; ability to edit across age groups and categories
• Should possess strong knowledge of the children's book market and an ability to identify opportunities with an eye toward forthcoming trends
• Minimum of 7 years of editorial experience in children's books and/or entertainment publishing
• Knowledge of the manufacturing and production processes for 4-color formats
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Well-honed negotiation skills & an understanding of contracts
• Strong, established relationships with agents & industry colleagues
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and meet tight deadlines; strong organizational skills
• Experience in content development is a plus
• Proficient knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

This position is in New York, NY, and follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office presence three days per week.

The base salary range for this position is ($95,000 – $110,000) per year. The final offer will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

What We Offer:

• Generous paid holidays and Summer Fridays.
• Company-paid year-end office closure between Christmas and New Year's Day each year
• Comprehensive health benefits, including short-term and long-term disability.
• Retirement savings (401k) and life insurance.
• Vacation, Personal, and Sick time off.

About ABRAMS

Founded in 1949 as the first U.S. publisher to specialize in art and illustrated books, ABRAMS has a long-standing reputation for publishing visually stunning, critically acclaimed, and bestselling works. Today, ABRAMS continues to lead in the creation and distribution of high-quality books across a wide range of categories—including art, photography, design, fashion, entertainment, cooking, craft, and popular culture—as well as award-winning children's and young adult titles under imprints such as Abrams Books for Young Readers, Amulet Books, and Abrams Appleseed.

Headquartered in the creative heart of New York City, ABRAMS is home to a passionate team of editors, designers, marketers, and publishing professionals who bring bold ideas to life in collaboration with celebrated authors, artists, chefs, photographers, and cultural icons. Our books are distributed globally and have helped shape conversations in classrooms, kitchens, museums, and living rooms around the world.

ABRAMS is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion—both in the stories we publish and in the culture we foster. Through programs like the ABRAMS Amplify Award, we uplift and support underrepresented voices in children's publishing. Internally, we promote inclusive hiring practices and an environment where employees of all identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences are encouraged to bring their full selves to work.

At ABRAMS, creativity, integrity, and collaboration are the foundation of everything we do. If you're inspired by books that make a difference and want to be part of a team that values art, impact, and inclusion, we invite you to join us. Learn more at abramsbooks.com.