The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. 

Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services.

Our mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment. 

All American Counseling Association team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful. 

Job Purpose

The ACA Books Acquisitions Editor will join a team of exceptional professionals committed to bringing the research and benefits of the counseling profession to the world by identifying and recruiting contributions to the portfolio of scholarship and professional works that we publish and distribute. This position will help to ensure that ACA Publications leads the industry in the selection and development of innovative ideas and scholarship and connects people to the most trusted knowledge on counseling from global researchers, scholars, and educators. The Acquisitions Editor will leverage the new Books Editorial Board and the expertise of the greater ACA membership and other stakeholders to align and successfully implement ACA’s strategy to drive revenue and ensure quality within the publishing program. Strategic, goal oriented and organized, the Acquisitions Editor listens to the counseling community and ensures that we are aligning publishing activity to industry needs, with an eye toward publishing new cutting-edge content and value adds for new editions.

Key Responsibilities 

• Strategically recruit content to optimize and expand existing volumes of ACA Publications, leveraging key stakeholder groups for developmental support and content review.
• Identify top authors and emerging or innovative topics to enhance content quality and market positioning, utilizing strategic intelligence.
• Serve as the representative of ACA Publications at industry conferences, positioning ACA to seize opportunities for content expansion and partnership scaling with ACA’s divisions.
• Familiarize yourself with ACA's journal publishing partnership with Wiley and collaborate with journal editors to optimize recruitment and marketing of author submissions.
• Develop calls for contributions to edited volumes and partner with authors to determine timeline and goals per contract.
• Contribute to identification and development of multimodal scholarship projects, collaborating with the Digital Publishing Specialist to determine the best delivery format.
• Educate the community on how to publish with ACA.
• Generate visibility for ACA Publications within the counseling and association publishing space, creating industry buzz.
• Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and access principles into all aspects of work.
• Actively contribute to responding to inquiries received in the Publications inbox.

• Proven track record of at least 7 years in the publishing industry, showcasing expertise in editorial processes, content acquisition, and publication workflows.
• Genuine interest in the Counseling space, with a passion for staying informed about emerging trends, topics, and key players in the field.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships, both internally with key stakeholders and externally with authors, industry professionals, and potential partners.
• Adept at networking to identify and connect with potential authors, contributors, and industry influencers, fostering collaborations aligned with ACA Publications' goals.
• Proficient in negotiation strategies and experienced in drafting and managing contracts, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements with authors and partners.
• Demonstrated business acumen, understanding market dynamics, competitive landscape, and industry trends to inform strategic decisions in content acquisition.
• Proactive problem solver with the ability to navigate challenges in content acquisition, contract negotiations, and overall publication processes.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans for content acquisition, aligning with the overarching goals of ACA Publications.
• Experience in budget management, ensuring financial considerations are integrated into acquisition strategies and align with organizational resources.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, vital for effective collaboration with authors, the Books Editorial Board, and internal stakeholders.
• Innovative and open to new ideas, with a creative mindset that seeks fresh and compelling approaches to content acquisition and publication development.
• Genuine passion for the mission and vision of ACA Publications, coupled with a strong desire to contribute to its growth and development within the industry.

Location & Flexibility:  Hybrid.