Associate Editor

HRD Solutions - Associate Editor

At HRD Solutions, we provide performance focused support to businesses in the areas of business strategy, organizational design and Human Resource Consulting.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Associate Editor

Location: Lagos

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

• We are seeking an Associate Editor to contribute to the development of books from the Africa continent.
• This role is suited to an editor who is curious, attentive to detail and interested in how manuscripts are shaped into thoughtful, well-produced publications.
• The Associate Editor will play an important part in supporting authors, strengthening editorial processes and helping each project move successfully from manuscript to publication.
• The role offers an opportunity to deepen editorial judgement, build strong relationships across the publishing process and contribute meaningfully to the growth of a dynamic African publishing house.

Responsibilities

Editorial Acquisitions and Submissions:

• Assess manuscripts for quality, relevance, suitability and alignment with Company’s publishing vision.
• Manage the twice-yearly submission windows, including submission records, acknowledgements, correspondence and internal review processes.
• Prepare clear manuscript assessments and recommendations to support acquisition and publishing decisions.
• Support the identification and development of distinctive African writing and publishing opportunities.

Editorial Project Management and Standards:

• Ensure projects and supporting materials are complete, accurate and properly prepared before production.
• Maintain editorial calendars, production schedules, project trackers and databases and flag delays or risks promptly.
• Apply Company’s editorial policies, house style and quality standards consistently.
• Contribute ideas for improving editorial systems, workflows and project delivery.

Author and Editor Relations:

• Maintain professional, responsive and constructive relationships with authors throughout the publishing process.
• Manage the commissioning and coordination of freelance editors for editorial projects.

Cross-functional Production Coordination:

• Coordinate with the operations and design teams to keep editorial and production projects on schedule across the Lagos and Nairobi teams.

• Coordinate with the digital marketing and communications team to align publication information, publicity assets and timelines.

• Key Performance Indicators

• High editorial judgement for manuscript assessments and editorial recommendations.

• Accuracy, organisation and completeness of manuscript files and projects.

• Timely movement of projects through editorial and production stages.

• Effective coordination of authors, freelance editors and internal teams.

• Prompt identification and resolution of delays, omissions and editorial risks.

• Consistency in applying Company’s editorial standards, house style and ethical requirements.

• Professional communication and strong working relationships across the publishing process.

• Experience and Qualifications

• A Degree in English, Literature, Publishing, Communications, the Humanities or a related field.

• At least four to five years of relevant editorial experience, including experience working with manuscripts or long-form content.

• Demonstrable experience in proofreading, copyediting, manuscript assessment or editorial project coordination.

• Familiarity with book production workflows, metadata and publishing schedules is an advantage.

• A strong interest in African literature and in developing books and ideas for local and international audiences.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Strong editorial judgement, with excellent reading, writing, proofreading and communication skills.
• A discerning understanding of the qualities that make a manuscript publishable.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate constructively with authors, editors and colleagues.
• Proactive, dependable and solutions-oriented, with sound judgement and discretion.
• Competence with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and digital project-management or publishing tools.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to African literary cultures, publishing contexts and diverse readerships.

Salary

Open to discussion.

Application Closing Date

8th October, 2026.