Join our community and experience Emerson College!
The Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing invites applications for an Editor-in-Chief for the literary journal Ploughshares / open-rank (term or tenure-line) faculty at Emerson College. Tenure transfer at the associate or full professor rank is possible if the candidate has already earned tenure and is at that rank at a comparable institution. The Department seeks candidates who can simultaneously fulfill two important roles: 1) serve as the leader of Ploughshares, maintaining and growing its stature and reach, and 2) contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community through teaching, other forms of engagement with students outside of the classroom, creative/scholarly/professional work, and service activities. This position is full-time, year-round, on our Boston campus. The appointment starts June 2, 2025, with a mandatory 2-day orientation August 21 and 22, 2025.Emerson College believes the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus climate where everyone can thrive is only possible in an authentically equity-centered, accessible, and socially just environment. As a community of storytellers, we continually strive to cultivate a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent, characterized by the intentional inclusion of individuals from varied cultures, races, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, linguistic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, life experiences, nationalities, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
The award-winning Ploughshares has been publishing quality literature for 53 years. Ploughshares publishes a print journal four times a year; runs a literary blog for book reviews, interviews, and essays; maintains a digital archive of current and past publications; and holds an annual Emerging Writer’s Contest.
Emerson College enrolls nearly 5,300 graduate and undergraduate students from 49 states and more than 70 countries. Its main campus is located in the dynamic, multicultural city of Boston. The college also has campuses in Los Angeles and the Netherlands. Emerson's commitment to inclusive excellence is supported by a range of resources such as the Office of Internationalization and Equity, the Social Justice Collaborative, and the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
Primary Duties:
Primary Ploughshares duties include providing a vision and strategic plan for the literary journal, blog, and accompanying projects; managing year-round operations; and supervising three full-time staff (managing editor, business and development staffer, and design and production staffer) and auxiliary staff for marketing and editorial. Additional responsibilities include managing acquisitions, especially in fiction and nonfiction, and recruiting and collaborating with guest editors.
Primary academic duties include teaching one course per year and helping to recruit, mentor, and supervise a cohort of undergraduate/graduate interns each year. Additional responsibilities include consulting with other faculty members in curricular integration between Ploughshares and Department course offerings; supporting recruitment, admission, and student mentorship as a member of the Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing; and serving on related Emerson committees.
Qualifications:
Master's degree or substantial publications/experience equivalent to a terminal degree
At least five years of editorial experience, preferably in the field of literary publishing
A vision for the future of literary publishing, including reaching new, diverse audiences digitally and in print
Experience managing people, setting and implementing strategic goals, and working with budgets, financial forecasts, etc.
The ideal candidate has teaching experience in a professional or academic setting and is connected to the literary community. Experience with donors and/or fundraising is a plus.
Application Materials:
Interested applicants must complete an online application form and submit a 2- to 3-page cover letter, a 1- to 2-page separate document addressing one of the prompts described below, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for three references. (References will not be contacted until after the first round of interviews, upon applicants' written approval.)
The cover letter should address four items: the faculty rank (Non-tenure-track, or Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor for tenure-line candidates) to which the candidate is applying, the candidate’s publishing experience, the candidate’s vision for the future of literary publishing, and the candidate’s teaching philosophy.
At Emerson College, we strive to create an institutional culture of belonging. We believe in co-creating a learning and working environment that is equity-centered and inclusive, where people can find authentic community, engage in authentic growth, and be their authentic and full selves as learners, creatives, scholars, and professionals. To that end, we want to retain candidates who are prepared to operate effectively in a diverse institutional environment that holds these values. In addition to the application materials listed above, please let us know how you might contribute to our Emerson community by selecting one of the following prompts to expound upon in your application materials in an 1- to 2-page single-spaced document. Please provide specific examples.
Which opportunities within your prior work experiences, community engagement, or involvement in professional organizations have enhanced your preparedness to work and collaborate within diverse settings?
How do you infuse equity into your student mentoring practices?
How have you been involved in increasing accessibility (financial or ability) to your academic, professional, and/or creative field?
Review of applications will begin on January 13, 2025, and priority will be given to applications submitted prior to that date. The position will remain open until filled.
Please note, in the job application where there is the "CV/Cover Letter/ Additional Documents" drop box, you must include all of the required materials listed above. You can upload each document separately or as a combined PDF. Your application will not be complete without these documents.
If you are having issues uploading, please email facultycareers@emerson.edu.