What you'll doStripe Press is seeking a Managing Editor to own the editorial development and execution of its publishing program. You will guide intellectually ambitious nonfiction from acquisition through final proofs and production-ready handoff, upholding Press's standards for rigor, clarity, accuracy, and editorial distinction.
This role calls for exceptional editorial judgment and project management skills. You will work closely with Stripe Press's editors, production manager, designers, authors, agents, and external specialists. You will also help build the systems and contributor network needed to support a growing list without compromising quality.
Responsibilities- Own the editorial path of every Stripe Press book from acquisition through final proofs and handoff to production.
- Establish and manage editorial schedules spanning manuscript delivery, editorial review, revision, copyediting, fact-checking, permissions, indexing, proofreading, and final approval.
- Evaluate manuscripts for structure, argument, clarity, pacing, voice, evidence, and accessibility, ensuring that complex ideas remain accurate and intellectually substantive.
- Establish clear expectations with authors and provide candid, actionable guidance throughout development. Provide direct developmental or line-editing support when a project requires senior intervention.
- Determine the appropriate editorial and verification process for each book, including when to commission technical, legal, or other specialist review.
- Build, commission, and supervise a trusted network of developmental editors, line editors, copyeditors, fact-checkers, proofreaders, indexers, typesetters, and specialist reviewers.
- Give final editorial approval before manuscripts enter production, and remain responsible for editorial decisions and author review through the proof stages.
- Maintain the Stripe Press house style and create clear, repeatable workflows and handoffs across editorial and production.
Who you areWe're looking for someone who meets the minimum requirements to be considered for the role. If you meet these requirements, you are encouraged to apply. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.
Minimum requirements- You have significant experience managing complex nonfiction books at a trade, academic, journalistic, or ideas-focused publishing organization.
- You demonstrate exceptional editorial judgment across structure, argument, prose, evidence, and authorial voice.
- You are comfortable working with technical, scientific, economic, historical, or otherwise research-intensive nonfiction.
- You have deep knowledge of developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, fact-checking, permissions, proofreading, and editorial-production workflows.
- You are an exceptional project manager, capable of coordinating multiple complex projects and timelines with a high degree of precision.
- You enjoy operating in a small, ambitious organization where systems are still being built, and you share Stripe Press's appetite for ideas that can improve how people understand and shape the world.
Preferred qualifications- You have helped launch or materially scale a publishing program, list, or imprint.
- You have developed editorial standards, tools, or workflows that improved quality and execution in a growing organization.
