Editor - Non Fiction

Our successful NonFiction team are looking for an Editor to edit and oversee a number of books from initial concept to finished product.  Subjects cover many areas of commercial non-fiction, with a focus on memoir, true crime, sport, trend-led narrative, pop culture and entertainment.

We are looking for a dynamic editor who should have experience of working within a busy, editorial department, excellent organisational and editing skills with a meticulous eye for detail and flair for copy-writing. The role is primarily a desk editing position but there may be opportunity to commission one to two titles a year. There will also be an opportunity to take on responsibility for core strands of the HarperNonFiction list and key authors, working closely with the Publishing Director.

You will be able to demonstrate commercial instincts and be well practiced in prioritising, multi-tasking and working to deadline. You also need to be great at communicating effectively and able to confidently manage relationships with in-house teams as well as authors and agents.

The role will suit a team player who is also happy to work independently and would be excited to think creatively about how we publish our books and how we publish them better.

Core responsibilities

• Support the HNF commissioning team on a range of books, ensuring that the publication process is carried out to the highest standards of quality and accuracy, to budget and within deadline

• Prepare cover briefs, write cover copy and information sheets, and check proofs

• Copywrite and check sales and marketing materials, e.g. catalogues, presenters

• Research and prepare pitch presentations for new business, including liaising with designers internally and externally

• Full desk editorial responsibilities – copy editing, proofreading, copywriting and writing design briefs – for a range of titles, including digital formats. Seeing titles through from manuscript to finished copies

• Manage budgets, schedules and critical paths

• Manage relevant editorial listings (AIS, BIC, Acquisitions, P&Ls) to ensure accurate and up-to-date title/list information is available internally and externally

• Liaise with authors, artists and agents and working with the project editorial team managing freelance copy editors and proof-readers

• Keep abreast of current publishing trends and market dynamics, as well as displaying intuition about future trend developments

• Ownership of your stable of authors, seeing their books through to publication for physical, digital and audio editions.

Experience/ Skills required

• Demonstrable editorial experience in commercial non-fiction books

• Proven copy editing and proof-reading skills

• A good eye for detail

• Strong visual awareness

• Well organised with the ability to prioritise and manage workload, and ability to deal with a mixture of long and short-term demands

• Excellent communication skills (presentation) and strong written skills (catalogue and cover copy)

• Full familiarity with budgeting and cost-control processes in relation to specific projects and lists

• Highly self-motivated/self-starting

• Calm under pressure

• A good team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and carry through projects

• Driven to exceed expectations.

• Able to contribute in wider discussions of the Division’s publishing and business

• Passion for innovative publishing, meaningful content and commercial books

The company

Our mission at HarperCollins is to harness the power of great publishing and to amplify it through world class marketing, global strength, and relentless innovation. We are all working towards the same goal, and we do it guided by what matters most to us. The culture at HarperCollins is defined by our six values, which inform our everyday actions and the way we behave. From Finance to Editorial, our values shape the way we work.

Our values tell a STORY…

Stories - We believe in the power of great publishing. From fiction, children’s and non-fiction to education and reference, our authors and content are at the heart of everything we do

Team - We help each other, work collaboratively, behave with integrity and always strive to communicate in a timely, open, honest and fair manner.

Out as well as in - We aim to lead the industry by looking out as well as in. Through observation of the marketplace, the consumer and the competitive environment we gain a better understanding of our business.

Resourcefulness - We support smart risk-takers and innovators, learning from experience without blame and being both curious and willing to change

You - We embrace difference, champion diversity of thought and being. We treat each other with respect and enjoy what we do.