Managing Editor (12 month Parental Leave Cover) - DK Licensing, Culture

The DK Licensing division is seeking a well-organised, experienced, and creative individual to join and lead a talented team of editors. You will work on our exciting range of licensed books such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the European Space Agency, A Kids Book About, and Rebel Girls, creating beautifully illustrated books for children.

To succeed in the role of Managing Editor, you will need to be a resourceful and versatile individual who is highly organised and excels at managing a list of multiple illustrated books from concept to completion. Ensuring that the publication process is seamless and efficient is key. Strong people management skills and the ability to motivate a team are crucial, as are problem-solving abilities and a talent for sourcing creative talent. The role involves scouting for new and innovative authors, liaising with different departments to ensure cohesive project execution, and presenting effectively to sales teams. A genuine passion for mission-led children’s books will be essential to drive the company's vision forward.

Ideally, you will have experience and enthusiasm for licensed books, along with excellent project and people management skills, a strong commercial sense, and good communication abilities. You will be the kind of Managing Editor who knows when to challenge existing systems and when to use them. You will know what it takes to propel a book to bestseller status.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Suggesting, honing and pitching new book concepts
• Managing licensor relationships; ensuring key stakeholders are apprised of publishing plans and relevant approvals are sought 
• Setting and managing budgets, ensuring books are made cost-effectively
• Presenting work-in-progress material for internal and external approval
• Overseeing the timely creation of sales material, and presenting at internal sales meetings
• Ensuring adherence to production schedules
• Quality control of editorial content
• Overseeing the commissioning of new content and contributors
• Line managing team of editors, setting goals and providing ongoing feedback
• Empowering staff to make decisions and liaise with licensors directly
• Working closely with Design Manager and Art Director to keep the design approach fresh
• Conducting meetings with sales, marketing, PR, and production teams
• Reviewing and managing Profit & Loss reports per title
• Drafting offer letters and reviewing contracts
• Attending industry events such as Brand Licensing Expo or London Book Fair to represent the list and company
• Presenting in acquisitions meetings or bookfair briefings

Although you will have the opportunity to commission new titles, the main focus of this role will be on managing the existing list and developing the culture team. You will liaise closely with licensors, authors, editors, designers, production, and sales colleagues. A strong eye for the visual and an instinctive feel for what works in integrated illustrated books are essential. The successful candidate will need to work from the office a minimum of three days a week and be fully Mac literate. Editorial rigour, commissioning experience, and strong negotiation skills are essential.

You should have experience working in publishing, preferably in a role similar to this one. Ideally, you will have licensing experience, but it is essential that you have worked with high-profile authors, partners, or institutions, museums, or charities.

If interested, please submit your CV and cover letter by 3rd November 2024. As part of your cover letter, please answer one or more of the following questions:

• Suggest a licensing partner that you feel would be a great match for the culture list and explain your reasoning.
• Discuss a situation where you had to motivate a team under tight deadlines. What strategies did you use, and what was the outcome?
• Describe your approach to ensuring editorial quality control. How do you maintain high standards consistently?

We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our people, some of which are:

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 60% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Flex fridays (1pm Finish*)
• Shopping discounts 
• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad

And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org

*Subject to certain criteria being met.