Editor, Books

Position Title: Editor, Books

Reports to:      Senior Editor

Status:             Full Time

Aperture is a nonprofit publisher that leads conversations around photography worldwide. From our base in New York, Aperture connects global audiences and supports artists through our acclaimed quarterly magazine, books, exhibitions, digital platforms, public programs, limited-edition prints, and awards. Established in 1952 to advance “creative thinking, significantly expressed in words and photographs,” Aperture champions photography’s vital role in nurturing curiosity and encouraging a more just, tolerant society.

With a capital campaign underway and new five-year strategic plan, Aperture is preparing to move from Chelsea to a new, permanent home at 380 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side in 2025.

POSITION SUMMARY

Aperture seeks an experienced editor to join our editorial team and play a central role in an ambitious book program that has published over one thousand titles to date, including landmark monographs by Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Paul Strand, Nan Goldin, Stephen Shore, Richard Misrach, Sally Mann, Dawoud Bey, An-My Lê, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Rinko Kawauchi, Deana Lawson, Hank Willis Thomas, Justine Kurland, Wendy Red Star, and many more.

The Editor, Books, conceives, develops, and manages key Aperture book titles, helping to build Aperture’s publication list and guide projects through the entire editorial process from concept to manufacturing and promotion. Half the titles managed by this position will be assigned by the Executive Director and Editor in Chief. The others will be acquired by the Editor, subject to Aperture’s internal acquisitions process. In addition to the editorial book work, the Editor will be expected to contribute in a substantive way to the organization’s mission and editorial goals, and to represent Aperture in public talks, programs, and events.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, manage, and edit 3-5 Aperture book titles annually. Help to build Aperture’s overall publication list. Guide projects through the entire editorial process from concept and budgeting to manufacturing and promotion.

• Seek out new book ideas and opportunities, present book proposals, assist with buy-ins and co-editions; and implement acquisitions with artists, estates, and institutions. 

• Establish and maintain contacts with new and published authors and photographers, designers, agents, museums, and the photography community.

• Work with Managing Editor to generate and adhere to individual book schedules and budgets. 

• Hire and guide creative teams. Negotiate contracts for photographers, designers, authors, and other project contributors. Assign and review the work of freelancers. Oversee and direct picture research and rights. 

• Provide feedback, direction, and substantial editing, where necessary, on both texts and visuals to ensure each project’s excellence in terms of content, scope, development of subject, and organization.  

• Coordinate with production through the reproduction, proofing, and manufacturing process.

• Liaise with artists, authors, and designers during the development of projects. Monitor progress. 

• Contribute to sales and marketing plans, write catalog and flap copy, and present books at key sales meetings. Support Managing Editor, Communications, Sales, and Development teams to ensure advance marketing materials are prepared for book fairs and other key moments. Circulate updates on the progress of titles, from proposal-to-publish to the routing of final layouts, according to Aperture’s procedures. 

• Train and supervise an Editorial Assistant/Assistant Editor, as well as an editorial intern. 

• Support the breadth and ambition of the editorial program, including suggesting and executing articles for Aperture magazine and digital platforms, as well as proposing and developing mission-aligned public programs and Project Room installations. 

• Travel to and attend occasional portfolio reviews and photography festivals as an ambassador for Aperture. Support the organization, as needed, in membership and general audience development. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-5 years minimum illustrated/art book publishing or comparable experience

• Attention to detail and ability to adhere schedules and systems

• Strong organization and prioritization skills and the ability to meet deadlines. Impeccable follow-through and multi-task management

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a strong and experienced team. 

• Ability to work effectively and maintain positive relationships with internal staff members and external constituents 

• Excellent writing and communication skills with exceptional attention to detail

• Eye for detail and commitment to excellence

• Works enthusiastically in a constantly changing environment

At Aperture, we value all types of experience. For Aperture, a successful candidate has many of the qualities listed in our job postings, and the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job. If much, but not all, of a job posting describes you, then we welcome your application. 

TO APPLY

Using the link below, please send a resume and professional cover letter in one PDF attachment and describe how your skills and experience meet the qualifications.

https://forms.gle/o3PNn8Juhi3y D3UC9

Please submit applications no later than Friday, August 30. NO CALLS, PLEASE. Only applicants who meet our requirements for this position will be contacted. If you have any questions, please contact newhire@aperture.org.

Aperture will be offering a salary of $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience, along with excellent medical, dental, life, disability, and retirement plan coverage. Our staff also has generous vacation, sick leave, and personal days, access to a variety of cultural institutions, enjoying a creative, professional, and collegial work environment. This position is based out of our New York City office, following a flexible hybrid work model. For 2024, we require two days/week in the office; in our new space this will increase by at least one day/week.

Aperture seeks to build a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes all applications, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, cultural background, disability, age, or religion. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our strategic thinking, and reflected in the selection of artists and writers that we publish, the engagement programs we present, and our ongoing work to diversify our staff and board.