Editor/Assistant Editor (12 month FTC), Hodder Faith

Alexgrayauthor; London, Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing company seeks an Editorial Assistant to manage key titles and authors. Responsibilities include overseeing the editorial process, developing author relationships, and ensuring timely publication. The ideal candidate has strong organizational skills and a solid understanding of Christian theology, contributing to a dynamic team focused on delivering quality publications.

Benefits

28 annual leave days

Generous pension schemes

Rent deposit loans

Summer hours

Retail discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Eye care vouchers

Training library access

Development programmes

Up to 70% off book purchases

Qualifications

• Solid editorial experience with high-profile authors.
• Proven experience at editorial assistant or assistant editor level.

Responsibilities

• Oversee editorial and publishing process for key titles.
• Develop relationships with authors and assess new manuscripts.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Ability

Influencing Skills

Presentation Skills

Education

Understanding of Christian Theology

Job description

Who we are and what we do

We publish books of excellence and lasting value written by authors with passion and expertise. We're home to popular fiction and non-fiction writers alongside some of the most progressive new voices in publishing. Established in 1768 and with a rich and illustrious history, we are the oldest imprint in the business and oldest surviving trade list in British publishing.

John Murray Press is a division of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 11 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.

What you'll be doing

To take on editorial and publishing responsibility for a number of existing key book and author brands across the Hodder Faith list as assigned by the publishing director, and to oversee these titles working alongside the authors through to publication and beyond.

To take overall editorial responsibility for key titles and authors on the Hodder Faith list:

• To oversee the editorial and publishing process for existing key titles, as delegated by the publishing director
• To develop strong and effective relationships with relevant authors
• To work effectively with the wider editorial team, ensuring communication is timely and effective

To assist the publishing director and other editors’ forward commissioning for the Hodder Faith books list:

• To read and assess new manuscripts as directed, and provide feedback to the publishing director and in the regular editorial team meeting

To publish titles imaginatively and with conviction, with agreed sales goals and cost control in mind:

• Following acquisition, to working with contracts team to ensure contract process is complete for each project
• To work with authors to ensure delivery of manuscripts in line with contract and agreed scope
• To make initial editorial assessments and undertake overall content edit
• To write cover copy and selling copy for title information sheets
• To drive the publishing of your books through the editorial, design and production process

With others on the team, to share responsibility for monitoring market trends:

• Reading bookfair reports, monitoring competitor activity, including internationally
• undertaking research in subject areas and market sectors as agreed with the publishing director
• attending book fairs and conferences, especially during the Christian festival season, etc.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for candidates with solid editorial experience, confident working in detail on manuscripts and alongside authors. Applicants must be solutions orientated, with high diplomacy skills and a flexible approach. This role would suit somebody who enjoys working as part of a close team and who is able to prioritise their own workload to meet schedule and budget parameters. Good working knowledge of the Christian scene in the UK will be essential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrable experience, knowledge, or certification indicating a broad understanding of Christian theology.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• Strong and wide knowledge of the UK and US Christian Church scene, across denominations.
• Experience working with authors, and confident working with high-profile authors
• Strong developmental/structural text editing abilities
• Strong organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills, communication ability and resilient attitude
• Effective influencing skills
• Confident presentation skills
• Knowledge of UK sales channels for Christian books

EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience at editorial assistant level or assistant editor level

What we offer

Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:

• 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years' service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years' (+ bank holidays)
• Generous pension schemes
• Rent deposit loans
• 2 community days per year
• Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
• Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Wide-ranging training library
• Development programmes (including mentoring)
• Up to 70% off book purchases
• A charity bookshelf
• 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, includingGender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeingand religious networks
• Season ticket loans
• And much more!

The role will be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.

Our commitment

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking junior roles. For more information visitwww.booktradeentrysupport.org