Senior Commissioning Editor

Purpose of the Role

Specialising in commercial fiction and innovative digital publishing, HQ publishes a wide range of fiction titles including crime, thriller, contemporary fiction, saga, historical and book club, alongside our curated boutique non-fiction list, and thriving digital-first imprint. Combining rapid growth with commercial success, HQ has a stellar record in launching fiction debuts such as BA Paris’s Behind Closed Doors, Michele Campbell’s It’s Always the Husband and Christina Dalcher’s Vox, along with an array of outstanding brand bestsellers such as Adele Parks, Linwood Barclay and Sarah Morgan.

This commissioning role requires a clear understanding of the fiction market, the ability to spot trends and publishing opportunities for the list, and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious collaborative team.

You will be building your own list and publishing ongoing authors, seeing titles through from acquisition to publication in all formats, and working with key teams to create effective publishing strategies, successful launches and build long-term sales. You’ll develop strong agent relationships, represent HQ at trade events and help grow HQ’s presence in the fiction market.

This is a role with a great amount of potential for growth, and the new Editor will be an important member of a dynamic fiction team. It will suit candidates who have both initiative and energy, and who are excited to think creatively about how we publish our books.

Responsibilities:

• Commission, edit and publish titles successfully and profitably for the HQ list.

• Read and respond promptly to agent submissions.

• Build relationships with agents, with a view to bringing in the best talent to HQ.

• Ownership of and main point of contact for own stable of authors, working across categories including women’s fiction and crime/thriller, book club and historical as required.

• To maintain strong relationships with authors and agents, providing regular updates on publishing strategy, sell-in and sell-out for ongoing authors.

• Work closely with the production team and pub ops manager to keep titles on critical path; collating author and copy editor queries on to manuscripts when necessary

• Understanding and wider reading of UK commercial fiction market, ensuring strong market knowledge and market-focused publishing strategies

• To develop own ideas for fiction projects with IP potential

• Presenting titles at monthly International, Rights meetings, sales and marketing meetings

• To delegate effectively when required, supporting the growth and development of junior staff

We are looking for:

• Proven commissioning experience within commercial fiction

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Someone who can take initiative and be creative when it comes to problem solving

• Extremely organised with a keen eye for detail

• Interpersonal and diplomacy skills

• Technically competent including computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

HarperCollins is based in the News Building which is shared with our News UK and Dow Jones colleagues in the newly-established London Bridge Quarter, opposite the famous Borough Market. The 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 bookshop.

Role posted - 1:05pm, 11th Oct 2019 BST