Commissioning Editor, Business - Part Time

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a leading international publisher with strengths in trade, children’s, special interest, professional and academic publishing, both digitally and in print. We are currently looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and well-connected Commissioning Editor to work on a new growth phase for our business and management list, under the Bloomsbury Business imprint. The role is within the Special Interest division.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established imprint with an extensive backlist, at a time when the list is looking to expand in terms of the numbers of books commissioned and the subject areas in which it publishes. The successful candidate will join a friendly team based in our central London offices.

The role

Reporting to the Publisher, the Commissioning Editor will acquire books across the business market, including those aimed at professional, MBA, and Executive Education audiences, as well as senior practitioners or sector experts.  Topics will include marketing and branding, HR issues such as coaching and reward management, creativity, sustainability, smart thinking, general leadership issues, and issues around artificial intelligence.

Commissioning

• In conjunction with the Publisher, commission new products and manage backlist to ensure the list meets identified market needs.
• Reviewing all incoming proposals (either unsolicited or from existing authors), developing a business case for publication (where suitable), and presenting prospective projects at editorial meetings.
• Pitching new title and new edition proposals at acquisitions meetings
• Draw up and negotiate contracts with authors and agents, working with Bloomsbury’s own contracts team.
• Manage initial budgets and schedules for commissioned projects.

Editorial

• Work closely with authors and their agents, to advise on manuscript development.
• Undertake structural editing and shaping of manuscripts, ensuring an appropriate ‘voice’ for the target audience.
• Work closely with the editorial team to ensure products publish on time and within budget.
• Provide guidance to the Editorial Assistant to ensure all tasks relating to specific titles are being met.
• Handover of manuscript to desk editor on schedule and with sufficient guidance on budgets, copyediting and design.
• Use, maintain and update company-wide data management and digital asset management systems relating to all titles.
• Write Advanced Information sheets, cover copy and assist Marketing where necessary in the promotion of all titles.

Internal relationships

• Work closely with publicity and marketing colleagues to ensure effective delivery of publicity and marketing plans, and promotion for authors and agents.
• Present the books to the UK and US offices as required, liaising with the relevant sales, marketing and publicity teams as necessary.

List development

• Maintaining solid market awareness in order to identify publishing opportunities: researching through Nielsen TCM, monitoring market trends and competitor activity, developing a network of external contacts and attending conferences and events as required.
• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with a wide range of authors and agents, to ensure submission of new title ideas, and timely delivery of manuscripts.
• Attendance at conferences, events and launches to sell books and meet potential authors.

External relationships

• Work closely with the authors on any events, ensuring any promotional materials or stock issues are in hand to match any specific timetables.
• Maintain and encourage relationships with any relevant third parties – awards organisers, event hosts, industry associations, membership bodies, etc.

Knowledge, skills and experience 

Organisational Skills

• Exceptional organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
• Strong project management and multi-tasking skills
• Stays calm under pressure

Industry experience

• Exceptional knowledge of the business publishing market, and the key players within it.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – working with authors, agents, in house and external colleagues.
• Experience in trade and professional book publishing, with a measurable track record of commissioning successful books.
• Ability to negotiate effectively – contracts, schedules, editorial conflicts.
• Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent proofreading and copy-editing skills, with the ability to write strong sales copy and blurbs.

Processes and Systems

• Experience in budget management and working with complex P&Ls.
• Extensive experience with using Biblio.
• Good awareness and experience of eBooks and digital opportunities, along with some knowledge of XML workflow systems.
• Exceptional organisational, time management and prioritisation skills

Additional information

The role is a part-time (3 days a week) permanent position

Salary Pay Range: £30,750 - £36,400 (pro-rated for 3 days a week)

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 1 day office-based / 2 days home-based (or 3 days office-based if preferred).  Allocated office day for this role is:  Tuesday.

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 Friday 29th March 2024.

For best results, please use a desktop to apply as some mobile browsers may not fully support the application portal.

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
• AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
• In-house Doctor
• Eyecare Voucher Scheme

Company culture – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom (BAME), Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers) and 21 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.