Commissioning / Senior Commissioning Editor, Avon

Be Applied Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate and dynamic editor to join their team. This role involves managing a diverse stable of authors, ensuring their works transition smoothly from acquisition to publication. You'll be the main point of contact for authors, working closely with production teams and developing innovative marketing strategies to enhance book visibility. The ideal candidate will possess strong editorial skills, a deep understanding of the commercial fiction market, and excellent communication abilities. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the publishing world while enjoying a supportive and flexible work environment.

Benefits

Work from home option

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Mentoring/coaching

Cycle to work scheme

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare cover

Unlimited training

Discounts on books

Qualifications

• Experience working at editor level or above with a sound market knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of authors, overseeing edits from delivery to publication.
• Building relationships with agents and acquiring titles for publishing.

Skills

Editorial skills

Market knowledge of commercial fiction

Desk editing processes

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Digital marketing

Negotiation skills

Job description

HarperCollins Publishers

Employment Type: Full time

Location: Hybrid · London, UK (3+ days office based)

Seniority: Mid-level

• Closing: 11:55pm, 8th Jan 2025 GMT

Perks and Benefits

• Work from home option
• Wellness programs
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Mentoring/coaching
• Cycle to work scheme

Job Description

Editorial Responsibilities:

• Ownership of and main point of contact for own stable of authors, working across women’s fiction, historical and crime/thriller, seeing them through from acquisition to publication for both physical and digital editions.
• Work on all edits for authors, taking books through from delivery to publication.
• Working on desk edits, liaising closely with the production team and pub ops director to keep them in line with the critical path.
• Understanding and wider reading of UK commercial women’s fiction and crime/thriller market, resulting in strong market knowledge and market-focused publishing strategies across the board.
• Briefing jackets and liaising with designers, seeing covers through from start to finish based on thorough market interrogation.
• Commissioning, overseeing and checking sales/marketing material as necessary.
• Building and fostering relationships with agents, acting as an ambassador for Avon within the industry.
• Acquiring titles in line with Avon’s acquisition strategy.
• Negotiating deal memos and progressing contracts for all acquisitions.
• Writing cover/catalogue copy as required.

Digital Responsibilities:

• Overseeing metadata/AIs for authors/titles, ensuring readiness in line with critical path.
• Liaising with the pricing/analytics team to optimize titles.
• Regularly checking Amazon feeds for glitches/problems.
• Working on backlist reissues and agreeing on strategy with the digital team.
• Supporting the Marketing Manager to create innovative digital campaigns.
• Attending weekly pricing and metadata sessions.
• Highlighting key titles needing focus in digital.
• Liaising with teams regarding HC sales events.
• Creating content for customer presentations.
• Ensuring Sales, International Sales, Audio, Digital Sales, and Rights teams have all advance sales information.
• Working closely with Avon publicists for maximum exposure for authors.
• Attending launches, industry events, and festivals.

Experience:

• Experience working at editor level or above.
• Demonstrable sound market knowledge of commercial fiction.
• Experience of desk editing processes.
• Full knowledge of publishing processes.
• Experience of working directly with authors.
• A range of industry contacts, including agents.
• Demonstrable commissioning experience (desirable).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong awareness of market trends and digital innovations.

Disposition:

• Passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic.
• Enjoys a challenge and remains calm under pressure.
• Dynamic team member, flexible to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Passionate about books and commercial fiction.

Additional Information:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days).
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.
• Private healthcare cover and life assurance.
• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal.
• Charitable donation matching and volunteering days.
• Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions, and discounts on books.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application, please reach out directly to [e-mail] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title. Please note, applications must be submitted via Applied; email applications are not accepted.