Assistant Editorial Manager, Penguin Press

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA; London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing house is seeking an Assistant Editorial Manager for its London office, focusing on managing editorial processes for various titles. The role requires a passion for language and strong skills in copy-editing and proofreading. Offers a competitive salary with flexibility in work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Passion for the English language; copy-editing and proofreading experience preferred.
• Ability to work autonomously and balance editorial integrity with pragmatism.

Responsibilities

• Manage editorial processes from manuscript to printed book.
• Work with commissioning editors to implement publishing schedules.
• Commission freelance copy-editors and proofreaders.

Skills

Impeccable grammar

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Job description

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Assistant Editorial Manager, Penguin Press, London

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Client:

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

8f4fb71fc2b9

Job Views:

7

Posted:

22.06.2025

Expiry Date:

06.08.2025

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Job Description:

Should we bother to maintain a distinction between ‘uninterested’ and ‘disinterested’? Are split infinitives really a problem? And what on earth is an ‘Oxford comma’ anyway? Whether or not you already have strong views on such questions, if they have piqued your interest you might be the person we are after, since Penguin Press are looking for a new Assistant Editorial Manager to join their Managing Editorial team.

About Penguin Press

Penguin Press is one of the most forward-thinking and celebrated publishing houses in the industry. In our flagship non-fiction imprints Allen Lane, Pelican and Particular Books we publish a wide range of bestselling non-fiction titles in science, politics, history, culture, psychology and poetry, as well as beautiful bespoke colour books. Penguin Press also publish and maintain the iconic Penguin Classics and Modern Classics imprints.

The role

In this small but mighty team of four, the Assistant Editorial Manager will soon be responsible for managing the editorial processes – from manuscript to printed book – of a number of titles originating within Penguin Press; initially, the focus will largely be on those books that we publish that have been originated elsewhere (‘takeovers’). Getting to grips with the complexities of the whole publishing process will be the first task.

Key responsibilities:

• Working with commissioning editors and the Production Department to implement schedules to help deliver the various publishing programmes.
• Advising and steering schedules and deadlines (with support if required) to ensure that the highest editorial standards are met on schedule and within budget.
• Participating in pre-production progress meetings, updating and chasing progress with key stakeholders.
• Commissioning and appraising freelance copy-editors and proofreaders as necessary.
• Copy-editing text when necessary.
• Proofreading and checking revised proofs when necessary.
• Checking illustrative matter, jackets and covers.

What you’ll bring

This role will suit someone who is genuinely passionate about the English language and who has ideally had some experience copy-editing and proofreading.

• Impeccable grammar and spelling
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment, while juggling several projects at a time
• Excellent communication skills to manage various stakeholders

Preferred criteria:

• Some copy-editing and proofreading experience
• Familiarity with the cost implications of corrections and changes
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to balance editorial integrity and commercial pragmatism
• Proactivity and confidence in suggesting, for example, improvements to workflow

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 29th June.

Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.

Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

£33,200 - £36,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will attend in person meetings in the office multiple times a week, particularly during the initial period of induction and training.

The recruitment process

You can read about our recruitment process at

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing