Commissioning Editor, Scribner

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

Job summary

A leading publishing company in Greater London seeks a Commissioning Editor to manage and develop their publishing list. The role demands strong negotiating skills, editorial competency, and the ability to oversee the entire publishing process. Candidates should have experience in literary publishing and a proactive attitude. The position offers a starting salary of £38,000 and a commitment to equal opportunities for all candidates, promoting diversity in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience in literary publishing and managing the publishing process.
• Ability to work across departments for team engagement.
• Proactive self-starter who can manage workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop Scribner's publishing list.
• Oversee allocated titles throughout the publishing critical path.
• Prepare costings, negotiate contracts, and coordinate with internal departments.

Skills

Literary publishing experience

Strong negotiating skills

Strategic understanding of the market

High-level editorial competency

Job description

Posted Monday 29 December 2025 at 00:00 | Expires Monday 12 January 2026 at 23:59

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 .

Job Profile

Simon & Schuster UK are looking for a Commissioning Editor to join our Scribner imprint, Adult team.

Reporting into the Publisher, the Commissioning Editor, Scribner will manage and develop Scribner’s publishing, while building their own list of literary fiction and non‑fiction. They will provide authors and agents with the highest standard of care.

Job Role

The Commissioning Editor will manage and publish a designated portion of the Scribner and Scribner Editions lists, including commissioning new titles for both. They will oversee allocated titles throughout the full critical path, ensuring adherence to agreed schedules and budgets, and will undertake all core publishing activities, including preparing costings, negotiating contracts, coordinating with internal departments, positioning and presenting titles, securing endorsements, drafting copy, briefing jacket designs, and providing exemplary author and agent care. In addition, they will contribute to the strategic development of the imprint, including initiatives relating to the backlist.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have experience in literary publishing complemented by strong negotiating skills and a commercial and strategic understanding of the market. They will be able to work across all departments internally to ensure buy‑in and engagement for their part of the list and will be able to publish within a busy and collegiate team.

The ideal candidate would have experience in editing and managing the publishing process. They will be confident in managing their workload and be a proactive self‑starter. They will be able to work quickly and decisively, taking decisions and putting them into action and demonstrating high‑level editorial competency.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to literary publishing, and we encourage candidates with a broad range of experience to apply.

Starting from £38,000

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.