Sr. Developmental Editor

Remote | Full-time | Exempt

About the Company
Founded in 2005, Advantage | The Authority Company provides authority publishing, authority media and marketing, and authority consulting services for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders around the globe. 

Advantage’s Authority Publishing group is one of the most respected independent non-fiction book publishers globally. Consisting of marquee brands Forbes® Books, SXSW® Books, Entrepreneur® Books, and Advantage® Books, Advantage’s Authority Publishing group exclusively publishes CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders that are best in business. What began in the spare bedroom of Founder Adam Witty’s home now supports and publishes over 2,500+ authorities in 44 U.S. states and 17 countries. 

Beyond publishing, Advantage’s Authority Media group offers a suite of done-for-you services to help clients build and maintain their authority, including public relations, digital media strategies, serialized content, podcast production, and more. We are committed to helping entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders build their personal brands and establish themselves as leaders in their fields. Recognized as "the authority on authority," our mission is to help clients become thought leaders and drive business growth.

Advantage’s compelling vision, comprehensive strategy, and relentless focus on implementation are dedicated to serving CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders. With a strong emphasis on fostering growth and authority for its clients, the company creates an environment where innovation and impact thrive. If you’re excited to be part of a winning team, Advantage offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career while contributing to the success of influential leaders and businesses. We offer a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where innovation thrives.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Developmental Editor (SDE) to uphold the highest editorial standards for our published books. This role leads the editorial process for our titles, ensuring manuscripts meet project goals in voice, tone, structure, accuracy, clarity, and sentence flow, all while adhering to The Chicago Manual of Style.

The SDE will perform developmental and line editing, manage multiple projects, and collaborate closely with authors, ghostwriters, and publishing professionals. Strong editorial expertise and project management skills are essential, as the SDE is responsible for overseeing the entire editorial lifecycle of an author’s book, with an average workload of 15 projects per editor.

Key responsibilities include direct communication with authors to explain editorial decisions, reviewing and refining ghostwritten content, and ensuring four to five key editorial deliverables per book project, along with ancillary tasks such as title and subtitle finalization, cover copy creation, and cross-departmental project briefs. The SDE will also work closely with a book planner and production editor to ensure a seamless publishing process.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a proven ability to independently manage editorial projects in a fast-paced environment. This individual must have a keen eye for detail, patience, and strong diplomatic skills. Executive presence is essential—the candidate should be confident, articulate, and capable of managing multiple projects with minimal oversight. Additionally, they must excel at engaging with senior executives and navigating complex client interactions with professionalism and poise.

Expected Outcomes

• Serve as the editorial lead for 50+ books annually, ensuring structure, tone, and style align with project goals and contracted scope.
• Conduct substantive edits, offering strategic direction to strengthen manuscripts.
• Ensure all edits are completed on schedule, proactively communicating any timeline adjustments.
• Collaborate closely with ghostwriters and editorial vendors, maintaining clear, two-way communication to protect scope, budget, and deadlines.
• Conduct line edits, final content reviews, and secures approvals.
• Edits book descriptions, cover/web copy, and author bios.
• Provide status updates and budget insights to leadership.
• Prepare manuscripts for typesetting, including titling research, plagiarism/AI checks, permissions flagging, and endorsement proofreading.
• Actively participate in meetings, provide feedback, and take initiative with process improvements.

Key Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to editing, production workflows, and deadline management.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while ensuring the highest quality standards are consistently met
• Customer Service Mindset: Provides consistent, reliable, and supportive guidance to authors through strong interpersonal skills and a service-oriented approach.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Guides authors through high-level editorial phases with clarity and encouragement.
• Clear Communication: Effectively coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Adaptability: Navigates shifting priorities and proactively mitigates scope creep.
• Problem-Solving Approach: Adjusts strategies to address unique client challenges and project needs.
• Collaboration: Works seamlessly with teams and freelancers, maintaining transparent project tracking and workflow efficiency.
• Calm Under Pressure: Maintains professionalism and high standards in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Skills and Experience

Required:

• 8–10 years of editorial experience in publishing, including 3-5 years in book publishing, preferably with a focus on business, finance, marketing, management, motivation, self-help, biography, or autobiography.
• Ability to oversee 15 to 20 book projects simultaneously while maintaining high quality standards.
• Mastery of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS); experience applying both CMoS and house style guides.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Skilled in industry-standard publishing tools and software.

Preferred:

• Experience working in both traditional and hybrid publishing models.

Reporting Structure
This role reports directly to the VP of Writing and Editing.

Work Environment
We prefer a candidate based in Charleston, SC, who can work in our downtown office two days per week. However, we welcome remote candidates and are excited to explore talent beyond our local area. Non-local hires will be expected to travel periodically to our Charleston headquarters to collaborate with the core team and stay engaged with our company culture.

Physical Demands

• Regularly sit, stand, and use hands to operate a computer, keyboard, and phone.
• Visual acuity is necessary for reviewing materials and computer work.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods while completing tasks

Benefits
Advantage offers a comprehensive benefits package with a focus on career development and advancement. 

• Generous Vacation/PTO policies.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans (eligibility begins the first of the month after 30 days).
• A 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Additional benefits available after 90 days of employment to support your well-being and professional development.

Advantage | The Authority Company is known for its exceptional workplace culture and values the dedication and hard work of its team members. We create an environment where employees can build rewarding, fulfilling careers.