Commission Editor Digital-First

Simon & Schuster; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital-first publishing company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Commissioning Editor to shape a commercially focused fiction list. The ideal candidate has experience in digital-first environments, a strong understanding of indie authors, and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams. This role offers the opportunity to innovate in a dynamic, start-up-style setting, acquiring and shaping content for audio and digital-first imprints in genres like romance and thriller. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in a digital-first publishing environment or similar.
• Strong understanding of indie author landscape and content trends.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Acquire content for digital-first and audio imprints.
• Scout emerging writers and shape manuscripts for digital audiences.
• Collaborate with design, marketing, and sales to deliver impactful publishing.

Skills

Experience in digital-first publishing

Strong communication skills

Data-savvy

Proactive and collaborative

Job description

Overview

Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and non-fiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world’s most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Adams Media, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

The Job Profile

Simon & Schuster UK is seeking a Commissioning Editor to join its new Digital-First Publishing team, playing a central role in shaping a high-growth, commercially focused fiction list.

The Job Role

The Commissioning Editor will acquire content for our digital-first and audio imprints, focusing on commercially compelling fiction across high-readership genres such as romance, SFF, crime & thriller, and historical fiction. They will scout emerging writers, use data to inform acquisitions, and work closely with authors to shape manuscripts for digital audiences. The role combines editorial vision with commercial awareness, requiring collaboration with design, audio, marketing, sales, and operations to deliver high-frequency, impactful publishing. This hands-on, creative role offers the chance to work in a dynamic, start-up-style team within a global publisher, where innovation and new ideas are encouraged.

The Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have experience in a digital-first publishing environment or similar, using consumer data, platform behaviour, and commercial instincts to inform commissioning and editorial decisions. They will have a strong understanding of the indie author landscape, including content trends, metadata, release strategies, and what makes stories or series bingeable. We are looking for a proactive, curious, and collaborative editor with a passion for genre and commercial fiction, a keen eye for commercial design, and the ability to work confidently with authors to bring out the best in their books.

They should have strong communication skills, the ability to prioritise under pressure, and enthusiasm for experimentation and rapid learning in digital-first publishing are essential.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is data-savvy editor and thrives in fast-moving settings, who is energised by innovation and reaching readers across digital platforms such as Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and other mobile-first channels.

Salary

Competitive and Benefits.

Apply

Please apply by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression. At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.

Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster UK role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.

Job Details

Pay Type Salary