Editorial Assistant, Penguin Life (Penguin General)

Bertelsmann; London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable publishing company in London is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support their non-fiction publishing division, Penguin Life. The role encompasses various responsibilities from office management to editorial support, making it ideal for individuals passionate about health and behavioural topics. No prior publishing experience is needed, but a keen interest and strong organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable interest in non-fiction publishing.
• Proven written ability through application.
• Experience/Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Provide general office administration and support to editorial team.
• Proofreading book covers and managing submissions.
• Researching book ideas and assisting with editorial material preparation.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Team Player

Organisational Skills

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Editorial Assistant, Penguin Life (Penguin General)

Are you an organised, sociable team player who is meticulously attentive to detail? Are you keen to know more about non-fiction publishing trends? Are you always seeking out and sharing the latest ideas, debates and innovations in health and behaviour?

Penguin Life is looking for an Editorial Assistant to work on our list of bestselling non-fiction publishing. The successful candidate will support Penguin Life's Editorial Director and Senior Commissioning Editor and will also provide shared support (alongside another Editorial Assistant) to the overall team of seven.

About the department

Penguin General is one of the eight publishing divisions within Penguin Random House UK and is made up of extremely talented colleagues, who set a high bar in terms of quality of output, and who take pride in their work and strive for both individual and collective success. There are five imprints at Penguin General, including Penguin Life.

At Penguin Life we aim for our books to equip readers with new ideas and skills which will improve every aspect of their lives, from work to relationships, health, psychology, communication, and behavioural change. Our authors range from business leaders to religious figures, leading scientists, health professionals and exceptional journalists. What unites our authors is a focus on quality and integrity - they include James Nestor, Simon Sinek, Philippa Perry, Rangan Chatterjee, Ellie Middleton, Cal Newport, Sharmadean Reid and Jefferson Fisher.

Key responsibilities:

• Providing general office administration e.g., booking meeting rooms, managing diaries, arranging couriers, minuting meetings, processing expenses, processing invoices, sending out proof mailings, arranging for author advanced copies, dealing with general author and agent queries
• Managing book and prize submissions
• Maintaining internal systems
• Proofreading book covers
• Contributing to discussions, sharing ideas, attending author events and strategy days
• Preparing editorial material for the sales, communications, and rights teams
• Researching book ideas and offering feedback on book proposals and manuscripts

What you’ll bring

You don’t need previous publishing experience. You do need an interest in non-fiction, a willingness and ability to learn, and passion for our mission – to make books for everyone, because a book can change anyone.

Essential criteria:

• Demonstrable interest in Penguin Life and Penguin General
• Proven written ability showcased through your application
• Experience/ Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/ Outlook
• Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities
• Demonstrable communication skills

Preferred criteria:

• A team-player, with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a knack for working closely with a diverse team (whether colleagues, authors, or freelancers).
• Highly efficient, organised, and proactive, with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload.
• Meticulous eye for detail and for spotting (and solving) problems before they arise.
• Curiosity for new ideas, wherever they come from, and loves to share their latest discoveries.

Disability Confident

If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, you must meet the above essential criteria to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 16th July.

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 no more than one or two pages in length. Please include with your cover letter a one-paragraph description of a recent book in the personal development space which you have enjoyed, and why.

Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

Salary

£27,500 plus benefits.

Hybrid working

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. For this role we expect that you will spend a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Company:Penguin Books Limited

Country:United Kingdom

State/Region:London

City:

Postal Code:

Job ID:281194