Production Assistant, Academic & Professional - Fixed Term Contract

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing company is seeking a Production Assistant to join its busy Production team on a fixed-term contract until December 31, 2026. This role involves project estimating, print buying, and managing file archives, making it an excellent entry-level position for those eager to work in the publishing industry. Benefits include a hybrid working model, generous holiday policy, and access to healthcare and wellness programs. Interested candidates should apply by January 2, 2026.

Benefits

Hybrid working pattern

25 days holiday + 3.5 days Christmas holiday

Two paid Personal Wellness Days

Flexible Fridays

Work Anywhere Fortnight

Season Ticket Loan

Free access to LinkedIn Learning

Share Save Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Ride to Work Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eye Care Voucher Scheme

EAP advice and counselling

Qualifications

• Proven IT skills with Word and Excel are essential.
• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for quality.
• Editorial and/or office experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Project estimating, costing, and scheduling of production work.
• Print buying and liaison with other departments.
• Overseeing external prepress and print suppliers.
• Managing file archives and providing administrative support.

Skills

Proven IT skills – knowledge of Word and Excel essential

Keen eye for detail

Editorial experience

Office experience

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Production Assistant to join our busy Production team on a fixed‑term contract until 31st December 2026. The role reports to the Production Manager and oversees reprints, Print On Demand and new‑in‑paperbacks across a range of backlist titles. This would be an excellent first job for someone keen to enter the book publishing industry within the production‑editorial environment.

Responsibilities

• Project estimating, costing and scheduling of production work.
• Print buying and liaising with editorial, design, digital, sales and marketing colleagues.
• Overseeing external prepress and print suppliers.
• Managing our file archives.
• Providing administrative support to the team.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.

Qualifications

• Proven IT skills – knowledge of Word and Excel essential.
• Keen eye for detail.
• Editorial and/or office experience (desirable but not essential).

Benefits

• Hybrid working pattern – 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).
• 25 days holiday + 3.5 days Christmas company holiday.
• Two paid Personal Wellness Days.
• Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week.
• Work Anywhere Fortnight – for two weeks of any calendar year (minimum 1 week, maximum 2 weeks).
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Learning & Development – free access to LinkedIn Learning, BookMachine Campus, InRehearsal & IPG Skills Hub.
• Share Save Scheme.
• AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance).
• Ride to Work Scheme.
• Peppy Health App.
• In‑house Doctor.
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme.
• EAP advice and counselling.

Location & Salary

Salary per annum: £27,000. The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid‑working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days are Wednesdays and Thursdays. This position is eligible for Bloomsbury’s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme.

Application Deadline

Please apply with a CV (Word or PDF format only) and answer the application questions via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button by 23:59 on Friday 2nd January 2026. Bloomsbury reserves the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications.

Bloomsbury is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.