Editorial Director, Voyager

Be Applied Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking an Editorial Director for its successful SFF imprint. This role is pivotal in driving the commissioning strategy and managing a roster of bestselling authors. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record in publishing, with a creative approach to editorial acquisitions. You will collaborate closely with various departments to ensure successful publishing outcomes and maintain excellent author relationships. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will help shape the future of publishing and contribute to the growth of a renowned division.

Benefits

Work from home option

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Mentoring/coaching

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record of publishing bestsellers in the genre.
• Strong understanding of the publishing process and relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Drive commissioning strategy and editorial acquisitions.
• Manage relationships with bestselling authors and agents.
• Plan and execute profitable acquisitions strategies.

Skills

Publishing bestsellers

Creative approach to publishing

Understanding of publishing process

Senior commissioning experience

Financial/commercial awareness

Agent and scout contacts

Author management

Job description

Location Hybrid ·London, UK 3+ days office based

Seniority Mid-level

• Closing:11:55pm, 12th 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

Introduction to the role

HarperVoyager, HarperCollins’ hugely successful and growing SFF imprint, is looking to appoint an Editorial Director. The role will have specific responsibility for driving the commissioning strategy and editorial acquisitions for HarperVoyager, as well as hands-on management of an existing roster of Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning authors.

Being a senior part of the team is a key element of the role, working alongside colleagues in the immediate team as well as the wider publishing division. Building strong relationships across departments will be crucial, ensuring that this busy list continues to deliver the excellent results it is renowned for.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Steer editorial strategy for their areas at all times and deliver creative, innovative publishing that is commercially successful and contributes strongly to the division’s growth targets.
• Identify market trends and publishing opportunities, feeding these into the acquisition strategy for the list.
• Superb author care: day-to-day responsibility as editor for a wide range of authors, including some of the most significant authors on the list, taking their books from pitch to publication and delivering editorial vision, hands-on editing, and regular publishing updates.
• Use agent and scout contacts to attract the best new submissions and talent to the list.
• Oversee timely and cost-conscious publishing management of their list, working with Production and Pub Ops to ensure titles run to Critical Path.
• Review, develop, maintain and deliver profitable publishing plans in line with divisional targets.
• Ensure best-in-class publishing across the list and the very best care of their own stable of authors.
• Work closely with the senior team to maximize all opportunities afforded by world rights including Rights, Audio and Harper 360.

Core responsibilities

• Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated acquisitions strategy for own and broader titles across all formats including digital and audio.
• Develop and execute best-in-class publishing strategies for authors.
• Develop long-term relations with authors and agents.
• Contribute fully to sales, marketing and plans, ensuring strong and effective involvement of the Sales and Marketing teams in title, brand and author development.
• Plan and schedule effectively to maximize efficiency across the list.
• Ensure all titles across the list are running to critical path.
• Support the Publisher with key strategic growth plans.

Experience / skills required

• Track record of publishing bestsellers within the genre.
• An innovative and creative approach to publishing.
• Strong understanding of the publishing process and relationship management.
• Experience in a senior commissioning role.
• Strong financial/commercial awareness, including analyzing sales data and market trends.
• A network of strong agent, rights director and scout contacts in the UK and US.
• Track record of excellent author management and relationships.