Senior Commissioning Editor / Editorial Director

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

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Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

e92127825b6c

Job Views:

11

Posted:

26.04.2025

Expiry Date:

10.06.2025

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Job Description:

Who we are and what we do

Laurence King, part of the Orion Publishing Group, is one of the world’s leading publishers of books, gifts, and games on the creative arts and popular culture. We collaborate with renowned authors, illustrators, designers, and artists to produce beautifully designed titles acclaimed for their inventiveness and quality. Our notable publications include Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs, Secret Garden, and The Short Story of Art. We also work with iconic photographers and artists such as Joel Meyerowitz, Steve McCurry, and Marina Abramović.

At Orion, we believe every story matters. We are open, agile, passionate, and innovative, committed to delivering the best publishing to diverse audiences. As part of Hachette, a major UK publishing group, we take pride in opening doors and minds.

What you'll be doing

We seek an experienced commissioner passionate about illustrated publishing to join our creative team. You will shape the future of our design-led publishing, commissioning 12–15 titles annually from concept to finished product, and contributing strategically to the list’s growth and success.

This role requires a passion for lifestyle publishing and the design world, a creative eye, commercial instinct, collaborative approach, and attention to detail. Responsibilities include:

• Assessing, commissioning, and profitably publishing a diverse range of illustrated titles in lifestyle, design, nature, wellness, and practical art
• Attracting high-profile and emerging talent to our list
• Maintaining market awareness internationally to identify opportunities
• Planning and executing growth strategies for the front and backlist
• Negotiating contracts and communicating with authors, artists, and agents
• Project managing titles through editing, briefs, shoots, copywriting, scheduling, and final delivery
• Collaborating with marketing, sales, and rights teams to support campaigns
• Providing excellent author care

Who we are looking for

A creative, entrepreneurial editor with proven experience in illustrated publishing and commissioning. Key attributes include:

• Passion and knowledge of illustrated publishing
• Market awareness and trend identification skills
• Creative and commercial judgment
• Design, illustration, and photography sensibility
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

What we offer

Our benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave, increasing with service
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension schemes
• Rent deposit loans
• Community days, summer hours, retail discounts, cycle scheme, eye care vouchers, training library, development programs, book purchase discounts, charity bookshelf, employee networks, season ticket loans, and more

This role is based in London or Sheffield, with a hybrid working model (3 days in-office, 2 days remote).

Our commitment

We value diversity and inclusion, aiming to attract talent from broad backgrounds. If shortlisted, please inform us of any adjustments needed for interviews. The Book Trade Charity offers support for those entering the industry facing financial barriers.