Audio Commissioning Editor: Frontlist & Acquisitions

Bertelsmann-Jobs; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Random House Audio in the UK is seeking a Commissioning Editor, Audio on a seven-month fixed-term contract to lead commissioning and delivery of major frontlist audiobooks, contribute to acquisitions and help create outstanding audio publishing.

Reporting to the Audio Editorial Director, you will shape creative ambition from acquisition through publication, collaborate with authors, narrators, agents and partners, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

Qualifications

• Editorial or commissioning experience within audiobooks or related content environments.
• Excellent project-management and organisational skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance creative ambition with financial considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commissioning and delivery of major frontlist audio publications, shaping creative direction from acquisition through to publication.
• Make confident casting and production decisions, working with authors, publishing teams and creative partners to deliver outstanding audiobooks.
• Represent Audio in acquisitions and publishing conversations, bringing editorial judgement, audience understanding and commercial awareness.
• Identify and contribute to new publishing and catalogue opportunities, working with senior editorial colleagues to assess their creative and commercial potential.
• Build strong relationships with authors, agents, narrators and publishing colleagues, providing excellent author care and positioning Audio as a proactive and collaborative partner.
• Work closely with colleagues across Audio, including marketing, operations, sales and production, to deliver ambitious and joined-up publishing.
• Take ownership of projects under your remit, managing priorities, budgets and schedules to ensure high-quality publishing is delivered on time and to budget.

Skills

Editorial experience

Project management

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Collaborative mindset

Audiobook commissioning

Audiobook market knowledge

Job description

Penguin Random House Audio in the UK is seeking a Commissioning Editor, Audio on a seven-month fixed-term contract to lead commissioning and delivery of major frontlist audiobooks, contribute to acquisitions and help create outstanding audio publishing.

Reporting to the Audio Editorial Director, you will shape creative ambition from acquisition through publication, collaborate with authors, narrators, agents and partners, and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.