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Editorial Director, Custom (UK & International), Ladybird Licensing

We are looking for an ambitious and creative individual to take up a new role leading on Custom for Ladybird Licensing as we drive towards a period of significant growth. This opportunity will suit an entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives on delivering commercial success and is enthused by the chance to form part of the highly-collaborative Ladybird Licensing team.

About Ladybird and Ladybird Licensing

At Ladybird we make growing up the best story ever. Introducing children aged 0-7 to stories through their favourite preschool characters helps all children to discover the books they love.

At Ladybird Licensing our key brands include Peppa Pig, Hey Duggee, Bluey, In the Night Garden, Fun with Ladybird and Mighty Express. 

The Opportunity

The Editorial Director – in conjunction with the Design and Managing Editorial teams - will liaise closely with the UK and International Custom Sales teams to proactively repurpose existing content (catalogue and frontlist), as well as develop new formats for specific customers/channels. They will also work closely with internal brand experts and external licensors on creating content that drives innovation and value in custom publishing.  

  • Create a list of bespoke product for UK & International Custom markets and maximise growth in these areas
  • Shape strategy for the list including analysis of sales and profitability
  • See products through from first idea to finished product
  • Partner closely with colleagues across Design, Managing Editorial, Production, Finance and Sales as well as Audio
  • Build and develop meaningful relationships with licensors across our brands
  • Project manage freelance and internal editors where needed

Candidate Profile

  • Editorial experience – physical, digital and/or audio.
  • Experience dealing with licensors, agents and freelancers.
  • Proven skills in costing physical and digital product.
  • Experience understanding and dealing with financial information and data.
  • A commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace, including learning and self-education in areas outside of their lived experience/s.
  • Knowledge of children’s licensing (preferred) with the ambition to reach new audiences through different channels and inclusive content.
  • The self-confidence to work autonomously, make decisions and be constructively challenging when required.
  • Creativity combined with sound commercial judgement and strategic business sense.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and to influence others.
  • Strong and proven negotiation skills.
  • Inclusive personal skills including self-awareness, empathy and emotional intelligence.
  • The ability to multitask and handle competing priorities.
  • A demonstrable understanding of the domestic and global marketplace, retail channels, readership and competitors.

Please apply with your CV and cover letter (addressed to Leanne) by midnight on Wednesday 3rd November.

What you can expect from us:

Salary: circa £42,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Our employees are the heart of our business. We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our employees, some of which are:

•    25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
•    Medical cover
•    Life assurance
•    Cycle to Work scheme
•    Discounted gym membership
•    Personal Learning Allowance
•    Generous pension scheme
•    Summer working hours (role dependent) 
•    Volunteering policy and charity matching
•    Employee Assistance programme
•    Mentoring programme
•    Extended Parental Leave policy 
•    60% Discount on Company books
•    Each site has trained mental health first aiders 
•    We plant a tree for every new employee to our business 

Our creativity is inspired by different perspectives, so we want our culture to be one of belonging, where everyone feels welcome and where differences are celebrated.

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we’re part of the offer an interview scheme. This is where disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can opt in to get to the next recruitment stage. There may be some situations where volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.

We want to make sure disabled applicants can be their best at each step of the recruitment journey. If you need adjustments during the application process, we encourage you to get in touch with us at http://PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your adjustment request. Find out more about our approach here: www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/applying-for-roles-with-a-disability

We partner with The Book Trade Charity, who provide financial assistance for people looking to get into the publishing industry; you can find more information and talk directly here: http://booktradeentrysupport.org/

Editorial Director, Custom (UK & International), Ladybird Licensing

Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Editor, Publishing, Communications, Business Development, Project Management, Digital, Editorial
Reference: 
Editorial Director, Custom (UK & International), Ladybird Licensing
Salary description: 
circa £42,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits

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Editorial experience – physical, digital and/or audio