Mass Communication jobs

General Non-Fiction Acquisition Editor

We’re looking for someone who is introspective, inquisitive, curious, and disciplined in research, with a passion for making knowledge accessible to readers.

Think of this role as a literary agent meets content strategist: you’ll scout authors and ideas, pitch and develop book concepts, brainstorm with the team, research audiences, and help bring relevant content to the mass market. You should be creatively driven, highly attuned to your audience, and resourceful in managing projects and opportunities.

The IMAN Acquisition Department is passionate about publishing books that change lives. Our General Non-Fiction genre is home to books on self-improvement topics such as mental health, relationships, workplace management, and psychological safety. Soon, we’re also expanding into areas such as geopolitics, history, and philosophy.

We’re looking for someone who has a strong understanding of these worlds, while also being excited about serving Malaysia’s emerging readers. You should be curious about what readers need, what they are yet to discover, and how we can make meaningful knowledge accessible to them.

You will report to the Editor-in-Chief and work within IMAN Publication’s Product Acquisition (Editorial) Department.

Note: This is NOT a manuscript development editor role.

Qualifications & Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (e.g. Journalism, Communications, Law, Anthropology, Sociology), Islamic Studies (e.g. Usuluddin), or a relevant field.

2. Strong command of Bahasa Melayu, both written and spoken, and proficiency in written English. Comfortable reading and conducting research in both languages. Additional languages are a plus.

3. Experience in editorial work or content development in any format. Formal certification is not required, but you should be comfortable exploring and researching both Islamic and general knowledge topics.

4. Strong research, critical thinking, and manuscript assessment skills, with the ability to handle both high-volume and high-level reading regularly.

5. Strong project management and teamwork skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders.

6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to build strong relationships with authors and thought leaders.

7. Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving creative environment, where projects develop through new ideas, research, and findings.

8. Awareness of—or openness to learning about—market trends, publishing dynamics, and reader behaviour across Malay- and English-language markets.

9. Ability to balance creative editorial judgment with business and market considerations.

10. Strong aptitude for pitching and developing ideas for diverse audiences.

Job Description

1. Acquire, pitch, and develop manuscripts and content ideas aligned with company strategy, market trends, and reader needs.

2. Scout and acquire authors, collaborating with and guiding them through the editorial process to meet quality standards and timelines.

3. Build and maintain strong networks with authors, experts, and thought leaders.

4. Serve as the main liaison with authors, managing agreements, communication, and deliverables.

5. Shape book positioning, including titles, creative briefs, and content direction, for maximum market impact.

6. Support market research and publishing strategy with the Editor-in-Chief.

7. Work with production, sales, and marketing teams to ensure smooth publication and promotion.

8. Collaborate with editors and the Editor-in-Chief on wider editorial and portfolio initiatives.

9. Ensure acquired content is authentic, culturally sensitive, relevant, and accessible to its intended audience.

10. Stay informed about emerging trends, conversations, and reader needs within Non-Fiction publishing.

Pay: RM3,400.00 - RM4,200.00 per month

Work Location: In person