Senior Literary Agent & Acquisitions Lead (DPG Global)

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nThis is a remote position.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & ROLE IDENTITY \n\nParameter \nSpecification \nJob Title \nSenior Literary Agent & Acquisitions Lead (DPG Global) \nIndustry \nTrade Publishing, Academic Publishing & Media-Tech IP Acceleration \nEmployment Type \nFull-Time / Retainer + Multi-Stream Performance Model (Commission & Royalty Share) \nExperience Level \n3 to 5+ Years of Verified Acquisitions, Literary Agency, or Rights Brokering Experience \nEducation Level \nMaster’s Degree or Higher (MA, MFA, MS, JD, or MBA preferred) \nReports To \nVice President of Acquisitions & Global Rights Director 1. JOB BRIEF DESCRIPTION \n\nThe Senior Literary Agent & Acquisitions Lead serves as the vanguard catalyst for the DADYMINDS PUBLISHING GROUP (DPG) ecosystem. This role is responsible for scouting, curating, and signing high-caliber authors, independent presses, researchers, and cultural innovators across our four distinct publishing tracks: Hybrid Publishing, Self-Publishing (A La Carte), Modern Publishing, and Traditional Foundation Publishing. \nOperating at the intersection of traditional literary curation, digital distribution logistics, and intellectual property monetization, the DPG Literary Agent bridges creative genius with corporate execution. The successful candidate does not merely review unsolicited queries; they actively identify and architect deals for high-impact books, position thinkers as "Living Legends," and route valuable intellectual assets into the secure Intellectual Vault. \nThis role offers a compensation model that combines upfront cash acquisition bounties with multi-year residual royalty overrides across four tailored publishing architectures. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS THE FOUR DPG PUBLISHING TRACKS \n\nThe Acquisitions Lead will actively source, structure, and negotiate publishing contracts across our portfolio: THE 4-TRACK ACQUISITION PIPELINE │ ┌───────────────────┬───────────────┴───────────────┬───────────────────┐ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ HYBRID SELF-PUB MODERN TRADITIONAL • Co-Investment • A La Carte Services • Distribution-Only • Underserved Talent • 70% Author Cut • 95-100% Author Cut • 60% Author Cut • 25% Author Cut • 10% Cash Bounty • 15% Cash Bounty • 10% Residual Cut • 15% DPG-Paid Split \nTrack 1: Hybrid Publishing (The Author-Partner Pipeline) \n\n \n Target high-profile entrepreneurs, corporate executives, speakers, and academics seeking top-tier trade production without middleman bureaucracy. \n \n Pitch full-service turnkey packages (developmental editing, cover architecture, interior typesetting, and global distribution). \n \n Educate clients on retaining 70% net royalties and sovereign copyright retention under the Big Eight Methodology. \n \n Direct Earning: Receive a 10% upfront affiliate acquisition commission on all co-investment service packages signed. \nTrack 2: Self-Publishing / A La Carte Suite (The High-Yield Track) \n\n \n Source independent authors, serial fiction writers, and subject-matter authorities who require elite editorial and design services while maintaining 100% distribution autonomy. \n \n Advise authors on choosing à la carte services (proofreading, cover wrap design, audiobook mastering). \n \n Direct Earning: Receive a 15% affiliate commission on gross service fees contracted. \nTrack 3: Modern Publishing (B2B Small Press & Catalog Syndication) \n\n \n Scout previously published authors, estates, small independent presses, and mid-sized catalogs that possess finalized book files but lack global retail pipes. \n \n Pitch DPG’s Digital Publishing Infrastructure (DPI), providing immediate physical and digital distribution into $45,000+$ retailers and academic libraries. \n \n Structure distribution-only contracts securing 60% net royalties for the author/press. \n \n Direct Earning: Earn an ongoing 10% Agent Royalty Share deducted from the title’s net trade receipts. \nTrack 4: Traditional Foundation Publishing (The Mission Track) \n\n \n Scout emerging talent, authors under the age of 25, and writers from underserved, marginalized, or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. \n \n Conduct structural evaluations to select transformative manuscripts eligible for DPG’s fully funded foundation grants ($100\%$ funded by DPG with zero author co-investment). \n \n Facilitate contracts granting the author 25% royalties with full institutional backing. \n \n Direct Earning: Earn a corporate-sponsored 15% Agent Royalty Share (funded directly by DPG, preserving the author's full $25\%$ allocation). \n3. REQUIRED SKILLS & CORE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK \n\nMapped from the internal DPG Unit Employee Skill Set Framework, candidates must demonstrate mastery across four core domains: A. Editorial Triage & Intellectual Property Appraisal \n\n \n Big Eight Vetting: Ability to evaluate raw manuscripts and synopses against rigorous standards (narrative coherence, marketability, bibliographic integrity, and factual credibility). \n \n IP Derivative Mapping: Skilled at identifying transmedia adaptability (audiobook viability, foreign translation potential, film/TV dramatic rights, and corporate licensing). \n \n Legal Pre-Flight Intuition: Basic understanding of libel risks, trademark infringements, and copyright boundaries to prevent onboarding high-risk titles. \nB. Commercial Negotiation & Deal Structuring \n\n \n High-Ticket Closing: Demonstrated ability to pitch 4-figure and 5-figure hybrid publishing and production solutions to high-net-worth professionals and institutions. \n \n Contract Literacy: Fluency in subsidiary rights splits, net receipts vs. list price royalty calculations, territorial exclusivity, and reversion triggers. \nC. Cross-Cultural & Global Ecosystem Fluency \n\n \n International Market Acumen: Deep appreciation for cross-border literature, understanding market nuances between North America, Europe, East Africa (Kigali hub), and emerging trade corridors. \n \n Ethical Sensibility: Absolute commitment to ethical acquisitions, anti-bribery standards (FCPA compliance), and respectful author engagement (SOP-RELAT compliance). \n\n \n\n Requirements 4. ROLE REQUIREMENTS \nA. Education & Academic Foundation \n\n \n Minimum Requirement: Master’s Degree (MA, MFA, MS, or equivalent) in English Literature, Creative Writing, Publishing Studies, Journalism, Communications, Comparative Literature, or Business Administration (MBA). \n \n Preferred Exceptions: Candidates possessing a Juris Doctor (JD) with an intellectual property focus, or exceptional candidates with a Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of verified, elite acquisitions track record at a major trade house or boutique agency. \nB. Professional Work Experience \n\n \n 3 to 5+ Years of direct experience as an Associate Agent, Acquisitions Editor, Literary Scout, or Senior Rights Manager within a recognized trade publishing house, boutique literary agency, or high-growth hybrid press. \n \n Proven Rolodex of authors, corporate thought leaders, academic researchers, or small press partners ready to transition into the DPG distribution network. \n \n Verified track record of closing publishing deals, negotiating contracts, and shepherding manuscripts through acquisition boards. \nC. Technical Stack & Digital Tool Proficiency \n\nCandidates must be fluent with modern publishing systems and collaborative project workspaces: \n\n \n CRM & Pipeline Tracking: HubSpot, Airtable, Notion Enterprise, or Salesforce. \n \n Publishing & Metadata Engines: General literacy in ONIX 3.0 standards, Bowker MyIdentifiers, Crossref DOIs, and IngramSpark/Lightning Source portals. \n \n Digital Communication & Workspaces: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets), Slack Enterprise, Zoom Pro, and secure author portals. \n \n Digital Asset Literacy: Working knowledge of PDF/X-1a, ePub3 standards, and digital rights protection frameworks. \nD. Personality Profile & Behavioral Attributes \n\n \n Relentless Networker: Thrives on building authentic connections across literary festivals, academic conferences, digital writing communities, and executive networks. \n \n Empathetic Communicator: Possesses high emotional intelligence ($EQ$); understands the vulnerability of authors sharing raw manuscripts while maintaining objective editorial standards. \n \n Ethical Anchor: Uncompromising commitment to truth, transparency, and anti-harassment standards. \n \n Self-Directed Closer: Proactive and organized; thrives in a decentralized, remote-first, international environment without requiring micromanagement. \n5. DUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION ARCHITECTURE \n\nDPG provides a dynamic, multi-layered earning model designed to reward both immediate deal execution and long-term portfolio growth: \nPublishing Track \nUpfront Cash Incentive \nOngoing Residual Share \nHybrid Publishing \n10% of Gross Package Value \n\n(Avg. $500 to $3,000 per deal) \nPerformance Tier Bonuses \nSelf-Publishing (A La Carte) \n15% of Total Service Contract \n\n(Avg. $500 to $5000 per deal) \nService Add-on Commissions \nModern Publishing \nPipeline Onboarding Bounty \n\n(Up to $500 per catalog onboarding) \n10% of Total Net Trade Receipts \n\n(Paid monthly/quarterly for life of title) \nTraditional Foundation \nAcquisitions Merit Bonus \n\n(Paid upon board confirmation) \n15% Agent Share (DPG-Funded) \n\n(Calculated from gross wholesale receipts) \n\n \n Comprehensive Base Options: Tiered base retainer structures available based on verified portfolio size and proven acquisition volume. \n \n Protected Escrow Payouts: Commission disbursements processed through our audited financial pipeline (W-9 / W-8BEN compliant) with zero-deduction international transfers. \n\n \n\n Benefits 6. WHY JOIN DADYMINDS? (THE RECRUITMENT TEASER) \n Stop Gatekeeping. Start Architecting.\n\nLegacy publishing is fractured. Traditional houses make writers wait two years to see their words in print, surrender their copyrights, and settle for meager royalties. Uncurated self-publishing vanity presses abandon authors in a sea of digital noise without editorial standards or institutional credibility. \nAt DADYMINDS PUBLISHING GROUP (DPG), we have built the modern third way. \nWe operate a sovereign Digital Publishing Infrastructure (DPI) bridging Delaware and Kigali, connecting exceptional voices to 45,000+ retailers, universities, and libraries across the globe. Our authors retain their copyrights, enjoy up to 70%—100% royalty rates, and receive the editorial precision of our Big Eight Methodology. \nWhy you belong here: \n\n \n Build Real Wealth: Break free from flat entry-level editorial salaries. Our dual commission and residual royalty-share structure means you earn upfront when deals sign, and build an annuity-like residual stream as your authors sell worldwide. \n \n Broad Acquisition Scope: Never say "I love this book, but I can't find a market slot for it" again. With our four publishing pathways, you have a solution for every creator—from the corporate titan who wants a turnkey Hybrid launch, to the underserved young novelist who deserves our full foundation backing. \n \n Global Cultural Impact: Help bridge international literary divides. You will work with authors from New York, London, Kigali, Nairobi, Singapore, and beyond—curating genius for the Intellectual Vault and architecting the next generation of Living Legends. \n\nTransform your literary network into an enduring legacy. Apply to join DADYMINDS Publishing Group today. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS \n\nQualified candidates holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent) and 3–5+ years of verified publishing, agency, or editorial acquisitions experience are invited to submit: \n\n \n A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Professional Dossier. \n \n A Curated Deal Sheet detailing at least 5 notable titles, authors, or corporate projects acquired or represented over the past 36 months. \n \n A 1-Page Acquisitions Thesis describing the genres, author profiles, or geographic talent corridors you intend to mobilize within your first 180 days at DPG. \n\nDirect Submissions to: