Editor / Commissioning Editor, Transworld Crime & Thriller (12-month FTC)

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job description

Editor / Commissioning Editor, Transworld Crime & Thriller (12-month FTC), London

Client: The Random House Group Limited

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: e7718ea83f68

Job Views: 5

Posted: 18.04.2025

Expiry Date: 02.06.2025

Job Description:

This is an excellent opportunity to take a pivotal role in Bantam’s Crime & Thriller list, at a key time in its growth. We’re looking for someone who will seize the chance to make an impact quickly, working with an existing stable of authors and acquiring and publishing new ones. You may already be in an editorial role and eager to work at one of the most successful commercial publishers in the industry, or in a more junior position and ready to take the next step.

This is a 12-month FTC opportunity to start in June 2025, covering a period of parental leave. We’re open to considering an appointment at either Editor or Commissioning Editor level.

About Bantam

Bantam Fiction is the commercial fiction imprint of Transworld and publisher of some of the UK’s bestselling and most-loved crime & thriller authors. From market-leading brands such as Lee Child, Dan Brown, Shari Lapena, Paula Hawkins, Tess Gerritsen and Stuart MacBride, to new and growing voices, Bantam has an unparalleled reputation for launching blockbuster debuts and building the biggest fiction brands in the market.

Key responsibilities:

• Acquire and publish across the spectrum of crime & thriller.
• Evaluate the viability and profitability of potential acquisitions and handle negotiations.
• Build strong relationships with existing authors and agents quickly, bringing strong and dynamic vision to their publishing from the start.
• Demonstrate commercial acumen by identifying opportunities for growth across the list, including staying informed about market trends and competitor activities.
• Collaborate with Sales, Rights, Marketing, and Publicity teams for successful publications.
• Oversee the internal book process, including editing, briefing covers, scheduling, liaising with Copy Editorial, Production etc.
• Write and update high-quality copy and metadata to ensure a book’s success.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience successfully publishing commercial fiction.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the commercial fiction market.
• Delivery-focused with experience in managing projects; strong personal organization and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Preferred criteria:

• Some commissioning and/or IP development experience is advantageous.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to think strategically and with vision about potential acquisitions.
• Strong internal and external relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and influence others.
• A good mix of strong creative and analytical skills.
• A self-starter who thinks entrepreneurially.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure.
• Confident in your own judgment.
• A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity.

Application instructions:

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Tuesday 29th April 2025. Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be between 500 and 1000 words.

We expect interviews to start taking place week commencing 5th May.

Up to £40,000, dependent on which role you are appointed to and how your skills and experiences align to either role, plus bonus and benefits.

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. At Vintage, we consider what environment enables the best work for individuals, teams and the company. Vintage colleagues work from our Embassy Gardens office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, once team and divisional considerations have been taken into account, have the flexibility to choose where to work on other days of the week.

About Penguin:

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

The recruitment process:

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.

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