Assistant Editor (12-month Fixed-term contract)

Bonnier Books; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's book publisher in the UK seeks an Editorial Project Manager for its fiction team. You will oversee the publication process, liaising with authors and designers to ensure high-quality output. The ideal candidate will have a proven background in managing titles, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe programs. This role offers a dynamic work environment and includes numerous employee benefits, including private health insurance and a flexible working scheme.

Benefits

Private health insurance

Holiday purchase scheme

Company-funded gym membership

Lively social committee hosting regular events

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Proven experience working on layouts for children's fiction.
• Experience managing a title from inception to publication.
• Ability to handle multiple projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage the publication process through to finished copy stage.
• Liaise with authors and designers as required.
• Assist with proofreading and copyediting select titles.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Time management

Editing skills

Knowledge of InDesign

Team collaboration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe programs

Biblio

Job description

Responsibilities

• Assisting Commissioning Editors with briefing and checking internal illustrations
• Project managing the publication process through to finished copy stage, liaising with authors and designers as required
• Managing the rolling reprint programme, including checking updates, reprint files, briefing Design and creating new end matter as required
• Assisting with proofreading and copyediting select titles
• Assisting with managing freelance copyeditors and proofreaders
• Project managing the acquisition of US files and ensuring all necessary changes are checked and made
• Assisting the relevant Commissioning Editor with briefing typesetters and text designers
• Creating e-pub files
• Assisting with checking of rights and sales catalogues
• Researching competitor titles and sales performance across the market, to support Commissioning Editors
• Assisting the relevant Commissioning Editors in writing cover briefs, audio briefs, cover copy and advance information sheets for selected titles
• Opportunity to read and consider submissions from the team for weekly Editorial meeting
• Dealing with general enquiries, and liaising with the relevant member of the team as necessary
• Taking clear and concise minutes for weekly Editorial Meetings and monthly Launch meetings
• Assisting the team with maintaining and updating the publication schedules with title moves, metadata and content on Biblio
• Assisting the team in preparing for regular meetings with the sales, marketing and publicity teams as required
• Assisting Commissioning Editors in seeking endorsements for forthcoming titles as required and adding to Biblio
• Assisting the editorial team with reversion requests
• Liaising with the other teams as required, e.g. supplying prize shortlist and bookseller submissions to the Publicity and Sales teams
• Assisting with book fair arrangements as required, inc book fair schedules

Qualifications

• Proven experience working on layouts for illustrated and non-illustrated children’s fiction and liaising with authors and designers, copyeditors and proofreaders
• Proven experience managing a title from inception through to publication to a high standard
• Proven experience working well with a range of inhouse teams
• A proactive, diligent and enthusiastic person
• A literate communicator - both verbally and in written correspondence
• Able to effectively manage time and priorities, while working across multiple different projects
• Works well under pressure
• Well versed in essential Microsoft and/or Apple office packages. Knowledge of InDesign and Adobe programs essential
• Experience of working with Biblio a distinct advantage
• Demonstrates inclusivity and tolerance at all time
• Previous editorial publishing experience is essential
• Experience of working across a team and a variety of functions is essential

Bonnier Children’s Books is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the UK. For this role you will be working within the children’s fiction team, which comprises the Piccadilly Press, Ink Road and Hot Key imprints, publishing fiction for young readers through to YA and older readers. Joining in the spring, you will be spending your time on editorial tasks and project management, working both with the inhouse team and authors and illustrators to progress our books from inception to publication; also assisting the team with research, file management and administrative tasks. We are looking for candidates with existing experience in children’s fiction.

Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Lively social committee hosting regular events
• Group Life cover - including 24-hour GP service
• Company-funded gym membership for all trade staff
• Comprehensive staff training and mentorship programmes
• Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment
• Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service - and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10th year at BBUK
• Enhanced family leave - with equal six months' paid leave for all new parents ·Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families
• Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure
• Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on-site at our London HQ
• Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office