Senior Editor, HarperNonFiction

HarperCollins Publishers UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

London office three days per week

Job summary

HarperCollins Publishers UK is seeking a proactive, commercially minded editor to join the Thorsons, Lifestyle, Gift & IP Editorial team in London. You will manage projects from manuscript to final proofs, commission titles, and oversee copy-editing and proofreading with strong market knowledge of lifestyle and cookery titles.

You will lead on cover briefs, propose ideas, and contribute to author care while coordinating with agents and freelancers.

Qualifications

• Proven editorial experience across commercial non-fiction
• Demonstrated copy-editing and proofreading skills
• Strong writing/editing of catalogue and cover copy
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
• Effective communication with authors, agents and freelancers
• Budgeting and cost-control awareness for projects/lists
• Self-motivated with initiative and independent working
• Strong under-pressure focus and delivery of high-quality publishing output
• Collaborative team player with ability to work autonomously
• Interest in trends, talent, social media and digital developments in publishing
• Excellent command of English in written and spoken form
• Customer-focused approach to author care and project quality

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning team across titles from manuscript to finished copies
• Oversee copy-edits, structural edits and proofreading to high quality
• Write cover briefs and information sheets; check proofs
• Prepare cover copy and sales/marketing materials
• Manage editorial listings to ensure accuracy
• Draft pitch presentations for new opportunities in collaboration with designers
• Stay ahead of publishing trends and market developments
• Take ownership of a stable list of authors through publication across formats

Skills

Editorial experience

Copy-editing

Proofreading

Attention to detail

Organisation

Communication skills

Budget awareness

Proactivity

Calm under pressure

Collaboration

Publishing trends

Author care

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

About the role

Are you a creative, commercially minded editor ready to take the next step up in your publishing career? HarperNonFiction is looking for a dynamic, detail-driven individual to join our Thorsons, Lifestyle, Gift & IP Editorial team.

HarperNonFiction is home to a wide range of bestselling authors and is one of the UK’s leading commercial non-fiction publishing divisions. Notable Thorsons, Lifestyle, Gift & IP successes include titles by Ben Lippett, Jay Shetty, Sarah Rossi, Becky Kennedy, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Freja.

Application Deadline: 17 October 2026

Department: Editorial

Location: London

Compensation: £36,000 - £40,000 / year

As a successful candidate, you will possess strong desk editorial skills and have a proven track record of overseeing books from first manuscript, through copy‑editing and proofreading all the way to final PDF. You will also possess excellent commercial instincts and be able to demonstrate strong market knowledge of lifestyle, cookery and gifts. A genuine passion for cookery and lifestyle as well as experience of working on illustrated cookery would be a distinct advantage. You will also be highly organised, proactive and confident juggling competing priorities, whilst delivering exceptional publishing and author care. In addition, you will be an excellent communicator and enjoy working co‑operatively within our collaborative and supportive team. As your confidence grows in the role, you will have the opportunity to commission a small number of your own titles, making this an exciting opportunity for an ambitious editorial professional.

Your first six months

By the end of six months you would be managing projects confidently – including copywriting, structural edits, cover briefs and proofreading. You’ll also be encouraged to contribute book ideas and to share feedback on proposals with a longer‑term view to commissioning 2–3 titles a year in the areas of Cookery and Lifestyle.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Thorsons, Lifestyle, Gift & IP Editorial commissioning team across a range of titles from manuscript to finished copies, maintaining the highest standards of quality, accuracy and editorial integrity – on budget and on schedule
• Take project management and desk editorial responsibility for the Publisher's titles, including structural editing, overseeing copy‑edits, checking proofs, copywriting and writing design briefs
• Manage budgets, schedules and critical paths with precision and foresight
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with authors, agents and freelancers, including editors, indexers and photographers
• Prepare cover briefs, write compelling cover copy and information sheets, and check proofs to a high standard
• Copywrite and review sales and marketing materials, including catalogues and presenter documents
• Manage editorial listings (TIs, BIC, Acquisitions, P&Ls) to ensure title and list information is accurate and up to date, both internally and externally
• Research and prepare pitch presentations for new business opportunities, collaborating with internal and external designers as needed
• Stay ahead of publishing trends and market developments, with an instinct for identifying what's coming next
• Take ownership of your own stable of authors, seeing their titles through to publication across physical, digital and audio editions

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Demonstrable editorial experience across commercial non-fiction books, including both black-and-white and illustrated titles
• Proven copy‑editing and proof‑reading skills
• A keen eye for detail and strong visual awareness
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and manage a varied workload across both short and long-term demands
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing catalogue and cover copy
• Financial awareness, with confidence in budgeting and cost‑control processes across specific projects and lists
• A self‑motivated, proactive approach – able to take initiative and see projects through independently
• The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure
• A collaborative team player with the drive to work autonomously when needed
• A passion for innovative publishing, meaningful content and beautifully produced books
• An active interest in trends, talent, social media and digital developments within the industry
• An excellent command of the English language
• A customer‑focused mindset, with a commitment to delivering the highest standard of author care
• Advanced proficiency in MS Word; intermediate knowledge of Excel and Outlook

Job Benefits

HarperCollins operates a hybrid working policy where employees are expected to work from our London office three days per week.