Contracts Assistant, Legal

Bloomsbury is looking for an enthusiastic Contracts Assistant to join the very busy, thriving and dynamic Group Contracts Department. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking for an entry-level role in Contracts, or having had previous experience in Contract Administration. The role will suit someone who wants to work in a global award-winning publishing house, surrounded by books but on the legal side of book publishing (not in the more commonly-known departments of editorial or rights). 

The ideal candidate will gain a thorough understanding of the publishing process and work closely with Bloomsbury’s different divisions both in the US and the UK. You will have an ever-present attention to detail, with a passion for accuracy, language and excellent interpersonal skills. 

The role

• Contract Administration: communicating with internal departments to ensure that all contract administration and paperwork is completed on time and filed correctly
• Responsible for maintaining contractual information on Biblio 
• Ensuring that contractual procedures and guidance documents are correct and up to date (key to the running of the Contracts Department)
• Drafting contracts including addenda, letters of termination
• Communicating with internal departments and external counterparts, responding to general queries regarding contractual terms and processes for all Bloomsbury imprints
• Processing reversion requests: including careful analysis of sales figures and stock levels, and liaising with Editorial and Sales teams to reach a decision with the support of Contract team

Knowledge, skills and experience 

• Strong administrative and organisation skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of Biblio would be a bonus but training will be provided
• Excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable with speaking to people of all levels
• Ability to carefully research and solve queries
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively
• Knowledge of publishing contracts an advantage

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position with a salary of £25,000 per annum

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: Monday and Tuesday.

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 and will 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 Monday 3rd April.

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 (BAME), Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 9 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.