Assistant Editor, Macmillan Children's Books

Pan Macmillan; London; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading publishing house as an Assistant Editor in the MCB picture book team, focusing on children's books. You'll support the editorial process, manage schedules, and liaise with authors and illustrators. This role offers a collaborative environment and a competitive salary, along with numerous benefits including flexible working hours and generous leave. Ideal for those passionate about children's literature.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Discounted private medical insurance

Flexible working hours

75% off all Pan Macmillan books

Daily free breakfast

Qualifications

• Experience working with systems and tools like MS Office and Adobe.
• Proven experience in a trade publishing house.

Responsibilities

• Support the editing and production of picture book titles.
• Liaise with authors and illustrators, maintaining strong relationships.
• Contribute to the creative process by reading and reporting on submissions.

Skills

Administration Skills

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Team Player

Interest in Children's Books

Knowledge of Children's Book Market

Education

Experience in Trade Publishing

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Creative Cloud

Google Workspace

Biblio

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Editor to join the MCB picture book team, working on books for children aged three to seven.

Your team:

You will be part of a small, dedicated team working on a vibrant list, which includes number-one bestselling picture and gift books from high-profile authors and illustrators, rising stars and award-winners.

Your role and key responsibilities:

As the Assistant Editor, you will play a critical role in supporting the editing and production of titles on the picture book list. Working as part of a busy and dynamic team, you will:

• Work with the Senior Editorial team on new titles throughout the publishing process, including costing and development stages, editing, copy-editing and proof-reading.
• Assist in the creation and development of new picture books alongside backlist titles, anniversary editions, and reissue, re-use and re-jacketed titles, including those for special markets.
• Liaise with authors, illustrators and agents, and maintain strong working relationships with all individuals involved in the editorial and production process.
• Contribute fully to the creative process within the team: reading and reporting on submissions and rejecting if required; looking out for new talent and sharing new ideas.
• Monitor title progress and manage schedules.
  
  

Your usual day might include helping to read and respond to submissions, managing and editing new-cover, reissue and anniversary editions, second-editing new picture books for a senior colleague, researching the market, writing copy for sales material, and updating and maintaining internal data systems.

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

• Excellent administration skills with the ability to organise, prioritise and manage workflow
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Clear understanding of the editorial process
• An inclusive approach and be an enthusiastic team player with a positive, self-starting attitude
• Proven interest and passion for children’s books
• Knowledge of the children’s book market and changing trends
• Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace and Biblio
• Proven experience of working in a trade publishing house.
  
  

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Understanding of visual storytelling
• Passion for story creation and graphic design
• Experience assisting the editorial process and conducting second edits on picture books.
  
  

What you’ll get in return:

In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: £31,000

Closing date: 26 May 2025

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Group income protection scheme
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 2 Volunteer Days per year
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch
  
  

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here:https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process, if you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at [e-mail]

Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here: https://panmacmillan.com/recruitment-privacy-notice. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice before submitting your application