Project Editors - DK +

Dorling Kindersley Limited.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Volunteering policy

Employee assistance programme

70% book discount

Cycle to work

Flex Fridays

Up to 30 days remote abroad

Tree planting

Job summary

Dorling Kindersley Limited in London is seeking a Project Editor, Fiction to shape our lists and work with major brands such as LEGO, Minecraft and Pokémon. This hands-on role covers editing middle-grade novels, chapter books, picture books, and stories from concept through print.

You will report to the Editorial Director, collaborate with authors, licensors, and design teams, and drive titles on time and on budget while developing compelling sales materials for the market’s leading children’s

Qualifications

• Solid hands-on editorial experience editing middle-grade/chapter books and children’s fiction.
• Love for licensed properties and entertainment brands.
• Outstanding editing, copyediting, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple timelines.
• Creative, collaborative spirit in a friendly team.
• Experience with licensing, literary agents, and high-profile authors.
• Experience commissioning author and illustrator talent.
• Publishing background; adaptable, proactive, and open to new ideas.

Responsibilities

• Serve as main editorial contact for licensors and authors; manage brand approvals.
• Deliver high-level author care and copyediting, line-editing, and manuscript development.
• Brief and liaise with illustrators and design partners.
• Manage portfolio of books from concept to print.
• Participate in in-house brainstorms and develop concepts.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, publicity, and international teams.
• Create sales materials and pitch presentations for upcoming titles.

Skills

Middle-grade editing

Licensed properties

Editorial excellence

Organisation skills

Team collaboration

Author liaison

Commissioning talent

Job description

Are you obsessed with children’s fiction? And would you jump at the opportunity to bring world‑class entertainment brands to life as stories for young readers?

We are looking for a collaborative, hands‑on, and creative Project Editor, Fiction to help shape our lists and partner with some of the world’s biggest brands including LEGO, Minecraft, Pokémon and more!

If you love working directly with story concepts, editing page‑turning chapter books, picture/story books, and middle‑grade novels, and collaborating with major global brands, this is your chance to shine!

The Project Editor, Fiction Role

This is a dynamic, hands‑on developmental editor role. You will report to the Editorial Director and work closely with the Senior Editor, Fiction, freeing up commissioning space while you drive projects from initial concept all the way to print. You will work closely with authors, licensors, and internal and external creative teams to deliver brilliant books on time and on budget.

What you’ll be doing daily:

• Serve as the main editorial contact for external licensors, managing brand approvals and nurturing key relationships with major entertainment properties.
• Serve as the main editorial contact for authors and agents and deliver a high standard of author care.
• Direct copyediting, line‑editing, and manuscript development focusing on middle‑grade fiction, chapter books, picture books, and story books.
• Brief and liaise with illustrators and internal/external design partners
• Keep a designated portfolio of books running smoothly from concept to print.
• Participate in inhouse brainstorm sessions and help develop concepts inhouse or with external contributors.
• Partner daily with internal creative, sales, marketing, publicity, and international teams to champion your books.
• Craft compelling sales materials and pitch presentations for upcoming titles.

Essential skills required:

• Solid, hands‑on editorial experience managing middle‑grade / chapter books and children’s fiction projects.
• Love licensed properties and entertainment brands.
• Outstanding structural editing, copyediting, and proofreading skills.
• Exceptional organisational skills to manage multiple project timelines simultaneously.
• A creative, collaborative spirit who loves working in a friendly, supportive team environment.
• Proven experience (or a strong aptitude) in working with licensed properties, literary agents, and/or high profile authors
• Experience of commissioning author and illustrator talent
• We are looking for someone with a background in publishing who is full of ideas, willing to try new things, and open‑minded. You should have sound commercial awareness, and be willing to act on opportunities. You are the type of person who is flexible and adaptable to changes. Moreover, you will be working independently on projects, confident in your abilities, open to trying new things, and eager to learn.

The deadline for applications is midnight on 16 September 2026.

Salary: starting at £38,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits

Benefits

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 70% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)
• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad*
• *Subject to certain criteria being met.
• And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office. This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in our Pimlico office. As this is non‑negotiable, please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org