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Assistant Editor, Religious Studies - Academic Editorial

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking Assistant Editor to join Bloomsbury’s award-winning Academic division.

The Religious Studies list publishes for a global higher-education audience, meeting the needs of both students and scholars in a wide-range of religions and methodologies. The list publishes around 40 books a year as well as digital subscription products on Theology & Religion Online.

Reporting to the Publisher, the Assistant Editor will provide editorial support to the Religious Studies list and commission new books to an agreed target. It is an ideal position for someone wanting to take the next step in their publishing career.

The role

Tasks will be varied but will include:

  • Researching the potential for commissioning in new areas
  • Commissioning new works and new editions to an agreed target, and managing specific series
  • Performing support tasks as required, including preparing manuscripts for handover to production to agreed standards and on schedule
  • Responding promptly and appropriately to external and internal inquiries
  • Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with authors, volume editors and series editors to ensure a high standard of author care throughout the publishing process
  • Keeping the publishing programme on schedule through regular liaison with authors, and by maintaining and updating the frontlist plan for any given year
  • Tracking and chasing in delivery of content for the Bloomsbury Religion in North America digital product
  • Setting up new titles on Biblio (our bibliographic database), and ensuring that any changes to projects are updated promptly and in line with key dates
  • Writing and editing marketing copy
  • Commissioning peer reviews for projects as requested; ensuring these reviews are delivered in a timely way; recording the progress of all projects under review
  • Putting together cover briefs, cover copy and briefing cover designs
  • Preparing and sending out contributor contracts for new projects; ensuring signed contracts are returned in a timely way and liaising with the royalty team as appropriate
  • Supporting editors in managing backlist, including monitoring stock levels, reprints and the Print on Demand scheme, as required
  • Providing basic reports and sales information
  • Supporting colleagues within own department Providing administrative support as required

Knowledge, skills and experience 

  • A highly organised individual with experience of working in a Publishing Editorial department
  • Experience of office and administrative work
  • Exceptional attention to detail and command of English spelling and grammar
  • Good time management with ability to multi-task and prioritize
  • Basic project management skills
  • Solution-focused, calm and able to logically solve problems under pressure
  • Proactive and able to take initiative
  • Flexible and able to work independently
  • A team player
  • Excellent communication (oral and written) skills
  • Strong IT skills including competency in using Microsoft Office
  • Sound commercial awareness and understanding of the publishing industry
  • Places a high value on quality of content, author care, company reputation and sustained customer relationship
  • An interest in academic publishing, and in developing industry and market awareness
  • Some prior publishing experience an advantage

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position.

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid-working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).  Allocated office days for this role are Wednesday and Thursday.

As an Assistant role, this position is eligible for Bloomsbury’s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme. To assist candidates who want to start and to establish a career in publishing, Bloomsbury offers an interest-free rental deposit to support securing somewhere to live. The rental deposit loan can be up to £3,000 to be paid back over 2 years.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by Thursday 16 February 2023.

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

  • hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

  • 25 days holiday
  • 3.5 days Christmas company holiday

Other Benefits:

Two paid Personal Wellness Days

Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week

Season Ticket Loan

Sharesave Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eyecare Voucher Scheme

Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom, Disability, Mental Health, Pride and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 10 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

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

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began. 

 Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.

Assistant Editor, Religious Studies - Academic Editorial

Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Assistant, Editor, Publishing, Communications, Business Development, Editorial
Reference: 
Assistant Editor, Religious Studies - Academic Editorial
Salary description: 
Competitive

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A highly organised individual with experience of working in a Publishing Editorial department Experience of office and administrative work