Lead Content Strategist

Hybrid | Full-Time | Exempt

About the Company
Founded in 2005, Advantage | The Authority Company helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders around the globe build their impact and grow their business through authority publishing, authority media, and thought leadership consulting services.. 

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 who 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 share their perspective and tell their stories to extend their audience reach and establish themselves as the go-to source for leadership 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. 

Position Overview

We are seeking a Developmental Editor (DE) to uphold the highest editorial standards for our published books. The person in this role performs developmental and/or substantive edits and line editing to assigned projects and provides editorial direction as it relates to voice, tone, structure, and flow, all while adhering to The Chicago Manual of Style.

The DE will manage multiple projects and collaborate closely with authors, ghostwriters, and publishing professionals. Strong editorial expertise and project management skills are essential, as the DE is responsible for overseeing the entire editorial lifecycle of an author’s book, with an average workload of 20 projects per editor.

The DE is responsible for organizing, planning, and managing the execution of the editorial process with precision and timeliness. This individual is a proactive communicator, dedicated to ensuring a seamless editorial process and author experience.

(Please note: the DE doesn't work directly with the book planner but does ensure content meets the goals and objectives detailed in the book plan and that the manuscript remains within the contracted scope, including word count, research hours, footnotes, etc.)

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, as well as a customer service mindset with all deliverables and communication. 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 20+ books annually, ensuring structure, tone, and style align with project goals and contracted scope.
• Conduct developmental edits, offering strategic direction to strengthen manuscripts.
• Ensure all edits are completed on schedule, proactively communicating any scope and timeline adjustments.
• Collaborate closely with authors, ghostwriters, and editorial partners, maintaining clear, two-way communication to protect scope, budget, and deadlines.
• Conduct line edits, final content reviews, and secures approvals.
• Develop book descriptions, cover/web copy, and author bios.
• Provide status updates and budget insights to leadership.
• Perform production-related tasks as needed or assigned, including styling manuscripts for typesetting, leading titling research and brainstorming sessions, performing plagiarism and AI text checks, flagging items for permissions and releases, curating image files, and proofreading endorsements.
• 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.
• Content Coaching: 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, editorial partners, 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:

• 5+ years of editorial experience in publishing, including 3+ years in book publishing, preferably with a focus on business, finance, marketing, management, motivation, self-help, biography, or autobiography.
• Ability to oversee 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.
• Background using project management or scheduling software.

Reporting Structure
This role reports directly to the Editorial Director.

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.