US Senior Editor

Holtzbrinck Publishing Group; New York (NY); Remote; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading publishing group is seeking a US-based Senior Editor to commission high-profile authors and oversee the production of 8-10 titles annually. This role involves actively pitching to potential authors, managing the editing process, and collaborating with production teams to ensure successful publications. A competitive salary and a supportive work environment are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience commissioning successful titles and authors.
• Keen commercial awareness of the non-fiction publishing market.
• Knowledge of contemporary US and international book markets.

Responsibilities

• Commission new titles by approaching potential authors.
• Work with authors to develop book concepts and provide editing.
• Ensure efficient handling of the publishing process.

Skills

Commissioning

Proactive author acquisition

Commercial awareness

Effective communication

Organizational skills

Editing and proofreading

Job description

Pan Macmillan UK is one of the largest general book publishers in the UK, with imprints including Macmillan, Mantle, Pan, Picador, Boxtree, Sidgwick & Jackson, Bello, Tor, Kingfisher, Macmillan Children's Books, Two Hoots, Bluebird, Campbell Books, Macmillan New Writing and Macmillan Digital Audio. Pan Macmillan is part of Macmillan Publishers International Limited.

London

Publishing and Editorial

Professionals

Your team:

Harriman House, part of the Pan Macmillan publishing group, is a UK-based but globally focused publisher operating in the business and finance space. We have established a really strong reputation in our sector by creating high-quality and highly respected titles and giving our authors an exceptional publishing experience. In recent years we have driven rapid growth in the business, particularly in the US, and are now looking for someone to join our small team to help us accelerate this growth by seeking out and commissioning high-profile authors and new titles for publication.

Your role

As the US-based Senior Editor, you will commission high-profile authors and new titles for publication (circa 8-10 titles per year) and work with the wider Harriman House team to ensure the smooth running of the publishing process from acquisition to publication and beyond. You will be the driving force for book projects and will be involved in all aspects of the process as the books go from concept/proposal to finished publications.

Your key responsibilities

Seeking out and actively approaching potential authors to secure new titles by pitching the benefits of working with Harriman House

Working with authors to develop the book concept, structure and content and providing structural editing

Generating creative ideas to maximise the success of publication

Presenting and pitching new titles at internal and external meetings

Ensuring the publishing process is handled efficiently and on schedule by working closely with the Head of Production and the Editorial Assistant

Reading and reporting on submissions.

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

Proven experience commissioning successful titles and authors

A proactive approach to acquiring prospective authors with the ability to make a compelling pitch

Keen commercial awareness of the non-fiction publishing market, specifically for business, smart-thinking and finance titles

Knowledge of the contemporary US and international book markets and the latest publishing developments and trends

Effective written and oral communication skills

Ability to organise, prioritise and manage workflow autonomously

Excellent knowledge of the life cycle of a book and detailed editing, proofreading and copywriting skills.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

Some experience in sales would be an advantage.

What you’ll get in return:

In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary starting from: $75,000

Closing date: June 8 2025

Location: New York (US-based remote workers may be considered)

Additional

Workplace & Culture

We pride ourselves not just in winning awards and publishing the bestselling books in the market, but also on the wellbeing and satisfaction of everyone who works with us. This is a company where all voices are heard and new, creative ideas are welcomed.

We seek to recruit and develop talent from all backgrounds, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. This has a profound impact on our perspective and ideas, encouraging us to learn from each other and to nurture the best talent leading us to publish books that appeal to the broadest possible readership.

Our mission is to publish the very best authors and illustrators successfully and sustainably because we believe that books enrich people’s lives and help build empathy and understanding.

Our values

To ensure that everyone who works at Pan Macmillan delivers on our mission and shares the same goals, we have developed a set of values that define our working culture and are the foundation of our publishing. These values were derived in consultation with the whole company and they are deliberately illustrated in a circle to underline a lack of hierarchy in importance.

You did not find what you are looking for?

We are looking forward to your speculative application.