Senior Editor Hybrid

Company: Harlequin Enterprises ULC

Date: December 2025

Job Title: Senior Editor, Afterglow and Carina by Harlequin

Department: Editorial – Harlequin Brand Group

Reporting To: Executive Editor, Harlequin

Status: Regular Full Time

Location: 195 Broadway, New York, NY (hybrid model) OR

22 Adelaide Street West, Toronto (hybrid model)

Job Vacancy Status:
Vacant and actively accepting applications

Job Summary:

Leading romance publisher Harlequin Books is looking for a trend-forward senior editor to solicit, acquire, and edit romance fiction across all sub-genres for trade and digital-first audiences, and guide the manuscripts through all stages of publication.

This creative, hands-on editor will have a dedication to compelling storytelling; an interest in publishing a wide range of voices and subgenres, including spicy and queer romance; a deep knowledge of romance trends and audiences; a record of acquiring commercially successful projects; a passion for author care; and an understanding of multiple publication formats, from print to digital, audio, and beyond.

• For trade, acquire and edit lead-level projects with commercial, bestselling potential in line with the imprint’s vision
• For digital, acquire and edit projects serving emerging fandoms in the romance market
• Collaborate directly with authors of varying experience levels to elevate their storytelling through diplomatic, constructive feedback that respects their voice and lived experience
• Brainstorm, develop, and edit commercial, data-driven IP projects and coordinate with authors to write them
• Perform all editorial functions, including evaluating proposals, developmental and line editing, and a deep understanding of structure, pacing, dialogue, and character arcs
• Oversee books through all phases of publication from acquisition to on-sale and beyond, acting as the in-house liaison with internal departments, i.e., marketing, publicity, sales, art, production, contracts, etc.
• Develop and execute a clear and commercial publishing vision for titles, including launch presentations, cover direction, catalog copy, art briefs, and more
• Keep an eye on current cultural trends and the competitive marketplace, and develop book ideas with broad sales potential
• Foster existing and new agent relationships and negotiate contracts
• Act as a key representative for the imprint both internally and externally with agents, authors, and industry colleagues, with occasional attendance at conferences
• May share supervision of 1-2 direct reports

• 5+ years’ editorial experience in commercial fiction with a proven track record for acquisition and publication of profitable projects in the romance space
• A keen eye for commercial, compelling books with sales potential
• Excellent editorial, copy writing and presentation skills
• Excellent negotiation skills, with knowledge of standard publishing contracts and P&Ls
• Broad range of agent, author and industry contacts
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization
• A curious, collaborative mindset that welcomes adaptability and innovation
• A drive for results plus the ability to work independently and set priorities under pressure

What's in It For You?:

• The opportunity to be part of a company on the leading edge of publishing, working with a very talented team and exceptional books
• Summer Hours from late May to early September
• Hybrid work, flexible start/stop times
• Work from anywhere 4 weeks per year!
• Paid time off days and vacation allotment, starting at three weeks (prorated based on start date)
• Flexible benefit plans to fit your needs and pension matching
• Working with passionate people!

About Harper Collins Canada and Harlequin

Harlequin is a leading publisher of commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. We publish more than 100 titles a month that reach audiences globally. Encompassing highly recognizable imprints that span a broad number of genres, we are home to many award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling authors. Harlequin is a division of Harper Collins Publishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher

in the world. Through Harper Collins’s global publishing…