Skip to main content

Commissioning Editor, Philosophy, Academic Division

This is an exciting opportunity to become a crucial part of Bloomsbury’s award-winning academic division. The Philosophy list publishes around 100 new titles each year and bridges divides across schools of thought. We are a market-leader in the Continental tradition and our prestigious backlist features work by some of the most original voices in the field, including Frantz Fanon, Mary Midgely and Slavoj Žižek.

We publish books in analytic philosophy as well as traditions from around the world. Catering to both a general audience and a student and library readership, we create innovate digital resources for instructors, students and researchers. We publish for a changing 21st-century global audience engaging critically with contemporary philosophical thought. It’s a great time to join the team and shape our growing list.

We are seeking a Commissioning Editor to join our team and expand our book and digital publishing. Working as part of a team, you will assume commercial responsibility and provide strategic direction for growing this list.

The Role

  • Provide the strategic direction and commercial responsibility for Philosophy within Bloomsbury’s academic division in conjunction with direct line manager
  • Act as the Editorial Subject Lead for Digital Resource products, working in collaboration with project teams, including commissioning and coordinating of ongoing editorial content
  • Research new product lines and markets for Books
  • Identify, manage and secure new book and digital resource publishing partnerships
  • Ensure that the Philosophy list meets key business goals: global growth plans, revenue, budgets, no. of projects, product mix, profit etc.
  • Act as a spokesperson for the list and the Bloomsbury Academic Division, representing its key values, objectives and policies

Commissioning & List Management

  • Identify and pursue lucrative new opportunities (markets, product types, partnerships) within subject areas
  • Develop knowledge of Philosophy and builds a network of talented authors within this field
  • Develop market awareness by reading relevant academic/industry publications, visiting end-users; researching and analysing competitive environment and activity, market trends, developments and channels
  • Utilize market awareness and understanding to inform future publishing strategy for products/digital products/lists/portfolios
  • Commission to pre-agreed annual turnover and product line targets
  • Commission and assess proposals for new projects according to an agreed no. of titles and product mix (reference works, monographs, edited collections, textbooks, supplementary/trade titles, backlist revisions, digital products)
  • Provide support in managing data on internal database for digital products and handing over new material according to agreed dates
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with authors, volume editors and series editors to ensure a high standard of author care throughout the publishing process
  • Coordinate peer review and market research so-as-to progress proposals to approval;
  • Negotiate contracts with authors and partners 
  • Manage timetabling of projects under contract
  • Liaise with the Production Department to ensure that books are published to budget and schedule;
  • Liaise with Marketing and Sales Departments for the effective promotion of the list and monitors sales performance.
  • Attend academic conferences and represents the company at events as appropriate
  • Ensure all metadata relating to frontlist and backlist is accurately managed within the team to a high standard and according to Key Dates

Staff Management

  • May undertake direct line-management of Assistant Editor/Editorial Assistant/Intern and help them to meet key business objectives: Production schedule/publication targets (pipeline of product)
  • Ensure direct report/s adheres to editorial guidelines, procedures and best practice
  • Contribute to wider divisional initiatives (i.e strategic working groups)

Coordination & Administration

  • Oversee annual frontlist and keep titles to schedule, budgeted revenue and profit targets
  • Assess and oversee reviewing process of all new proposals
  • Perform annual list budgeting and reforecasting duties to a high standard
  • Maintain databases and manage information systems

Knowledge, Skills, Experience:

  • Experience of commissioning non-fiction content
  • Academic background in philosophy related areas or a strong interest preferred
  • Collaborative team player with ability to communicate clearly and effectively
  • Creative and commercial approach to list development, management and commissioning
  • Strong analytic and financial skills
  • A growth mind-set, always seeking opportunities to expand and improve
  • Competent user of publishing software systems such as Biblio and Focal Point
  • Positive outlook, strong problem-solving, organisational and time management skills
  • Meticulous attention to detail

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position 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.

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 15th August 2022.

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:

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

That Day – online fitness classes, mindfulness, cookery classes, workshops etc.

Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (BAME, Disability, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 12 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 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.

Commissioning Editor, Philosophy, Academic Division

Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Commissioning Editor, Editor, Publishing, Training, Management, Communications, Business Development, Editorial
Reference: 
Commissioning Editor, Philosophy, Academic Division
Salary description: 
Competitive

Share this job now

Experience of commissioning non-fiction content Academic background in philosophy related areas or a strong interest preferred Collaborative team player with ability to communicate clearly and effectively