Editorial assistant, Embla Books

Hachette UK; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing company in London is looking for an editorial assistant to support the editorial team and work directly with authors. The role involves managing author care, assisting with market research, and optimizing book metadata. Ideal for those passionate about books, this position offers a hybrid working model and various benefits including private health insurance and flexible hours.

Benefits

Private health insurance

Contributory pension scheme

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company-funded gym membership

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Self-starter with a passion for books and excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and support multiple team members.
• Strong proofreading skills and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Support the editorial team and manage author care.
• Lead on metadata optimization for all titles.
• Assist with market research and author pitches.

Skills

Organizational skills

Data-driven mindset

Creativity

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Apple Office

Job description

Closing date for applications: 8th December 2025

Salary: £27,000 per annum

Reports to: Publishing director

Location: 5th Floor, HYLO, 105 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8LZ

Working pattern: Hybrid - minimum of two days per week in the office; up to three days per week working from home

Imprint: Embla Books

Department: Editorial

Are you passionate about books and looking to break into publishing? Join a dynamic team and learn how to create digital bestsellers while supporting authors and editors.

Embla Books is looking for a talented and ambitious editorial assistant to join its dynamic, forward-thinking and leading digital team. Based in our new London offices, you’ll work closely alongside the publishing director and two senior commissioning editors on their list of titles, assisting their authors directly as well as providing general support to the wider team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to become a valued member of a collaborative publishing team, where you’ll learn first‑hand how to create digital bestsellers and you'll have the opportunity to work with a variety of authors, from brands to debuts, in all commercial genres.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the editorial team in ensuring the imprint's smooth running, including but not limited to general author care, production and distribution tasks, sending author and agent copies
• Managing Biblio for all of our titles
• Leading on putting together ‘best in class’ metadata for all our titles and regularly optimising our keywords across the list
• Ensuring endmatter for all eBooks follows internal guidelines and is regularly updated in the most strategic ways
• Updating reader quotes and Amazon pages for new releases during the pre‑order period and immediately post‑publication. Ensuring our Amazon pages follow best practices at all times and appeal directly to our target consumer market
• Working closely alongside the publishing director and the two senior commissioning editors on their lists and assisting them with market research, acquisition documents, author pitches, proofreading, cover briefing and drafting press releases
• Supporting the editorial team in reading and evaluating submissions

Knowledge, skills & experience

• An ambitious and creative self‑starter with a passion for books andexcellent organisational skills
• Someone who is data driven and thrives in a fast‑paced, commercial environment with excellent organisational skills
• Feels confident prioritising a busy workload on tight deadlines while supporting multiple members of the team
• Creativity, passion and the ability to come up with new ideas and think strategically about publishing across multiple genres
• Confident in providing first class author care and in liaising directly with the broader company and agents on a range of queries
• Ability to work independently and with initiative on individual projects, with appropriate support and mentoring
• Strong proofreading, communication and problem‑solving skills
• A dynamic, proactive team player with a positive attitude
• Well versed in essential Microsoft and/or Apple office packages

Company benefits

• Private health insurance
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Lively social committee hosting regular events
• Group Life cover - including 24‑hour GP service
• Company-fundedgymmembership for all trade staff
• Comprehensive staff trainingandmentorshipprogrammes
• Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment
• Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service – and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10thyear at BBUK
• Enhanced family leave - with equal six months’ paid leave for all new parents
• Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families
• Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure
• Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on‑site at our London HQ
• Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office

If you are interested in this role, please apply via our website. We look forward to hearing from you.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under‑represented in the creative industries.

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.