Head of Events & PR- Children's

HarperCollins is one of the UK’s foremost, diverse and innovative multi-platform publishers. We publish a wide range of books, from cutting-edge contemporary fiction, to block-busting thrillers and from fantasy literature to children’s literature and enduring classics. We also publish a great selection of non-fiction titles, including history, celebrity memoirs, biographies, popular science, dictionaries, maps, reference titles and education books, and our digital business is thriving. With nearly 200 years of history, we publish some of the world’s foremost authors, from Nobel prize-winners to worldwide bestsellers. In addition, we also publish the works of Agatha Christie, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.

Our triple award winning Children’s team are looking for an experienced and creative Head of Events & PR to manage and implement the event strategy for authors/brands across the children’s portfolio as well as publicity campaigns for those authors/brands where events are key in terms of strategic growth. The aim is to create event-led campaigns that drive profitable sales and raise and maintain the profile of our authors through the development and implementation of integrated, innovative and targeted publicity & events. This is a brilliant opportunity to join the leading Children’s publisher in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage an innovative programme of events to drive sales and brand/author awareness
• Strategically manage author/ brand involvement in literary festivals, acting as key point of contact for festival organisers
• Liaise with Sales and retailers to optimise event opportunities
• Foster relations with third-party events/ arts organisations to seek out opportunities
• Exploit the publicity opportunity around events and amplification of online buzz and legacy value
• Create and maintain a database for school events and managing sales strategy for those events
• Manage and maintain the HCCB Events Schedule
• As part of the marketing and publicity team, develop innovative, targeted and creative publicity campaigns
• Create Publicity & Event plans that demonstrate how each campaign links with the overall strategy for that particular book/author and marketing and sales activities
• Develop innovative publicity tools that fully reflect the identity of the book/brand
• Generate and foster review and feature coverage across relevant media, ensuring all is communicated to internal and external stakeholders
• Working with the PR & Communications Director, ensure successful execution of events are communicated to book, licensing, marketing and publicity trade
• Act as an effective ambassador for the company in relation to our authors and talent and working closely with editorial colleagues to manage expectation of authors and agents
• Present event & publicity strategy to internal and external stakeholders including authors, agents and licensors.
• Line manage an Events Executive
• Manage PR freelancers/ agencies where appropriate

Key Skills/Experience

• Proven work experience working in a publicity department and/or PR company
• Strong existing relationships with media contacts
• A good understanding of licensing industry and related publicity
• Ability to create creative and innovative  publicity campaigns
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong IT skills, including Word, Excel and Mac
• Outgoing and enthusiastic
• Energy and dynamism to juggle a heavy workload under pressure
• Dynamic team member
• A certain level of diplomacy needed, to deal firmly and confidently with authors and publishers
• Flexible – able to work evenings and weekends as required.

We’re based in the News Building which we share with our News UK and Dow Jones colleagues in the newly-established London Bridge Quarter, opposite the famous Borough Market.  Our new open-plan office has amazing views across London, and includes a variety of break-out areas to aid inspiration and a collaborative approach, a multi-media suite, and a fabulous canteen floor and book shop.

To apply, please email your CV, cover letter and salary expectations to Stephanie.hall@harpercollins.co.uk. Early applications may be prioritised.