Publisher, Non-Fiction
Who we are and what we do
Quercus is a dynamic, award-winning publisher, known as a hit-maker that regularly finds books that surprise and delight readers. We are international and entrepreneurial in our outlook – and have seven distinctive imprints that publish an exciting and diverse range of authors. From established bestsellers such as Elly Griffiths, Beth O’Leary, Damien Lewis and Bill Bailey, to new voices such as Layla F. Saad, Tommyinnit, Kaleb Cooper and Amy Jeffs, what draws all our publishing together is the magic ‘quirk’ in Quercus: a commitment to independence, flair, warmth and creativity that has always marked out this young company.
Quercus is part of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 12 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.
What you'll be doing
This is a rare opportunity to join one of the most dynamic publishers in London, and to really make your mark growing the business in a supportive, creative environment – as the lead publisher of our trade non-fiction team.
Some management experience is desirable, and you will be responsible for commissioning and publishing a profitable list of high-quality bestsellers in the region of 10-12 books a year.
As in any senior publishing role, you will work closely with colleagues in marketing, publicity, sales, design, rights and production, championing your authors and being a brilliant ambassador for Quercus with agents, scouts and publishing contacts here and overseas.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an experienced editor with a real passion for commissioning bestselling non-fiction, ready to take the role of Publisher and drive Quercus’s hugely successful commercial non-fiction imprint, leading a team of five.
With an amazing network of contacts and a keen eye for publishing exciting new voices, you will be commercially savvy and know the ever-changing non-fiction market better than most, with a curiosity about data and insight to back up your instinct.
Quercus publishes across the spectrum of high-quality, commercial non-fiction, but the threads that run through everything we do are: a real focus on consumers and the market, internationally as much as in the UK; our commitment to be inclusive and proudly commercial in reaching as many readers as possible; and a playful creativity that marks out so much of our publishing across all our imprints. You will be a strategic, entrepreneurial self-starter, with excellent contacts and author care and able to demonstrate strong experience of publishing bestsellers and critically-acclaimed books. Most importantly, you will have the presence and passion to inspire the publishing teams around you and lead each publication from the front.
What we offer
Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:
- 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years' service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years' (+ bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension schemes
- Rent deposit loans
- 2 community days per year
- Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
- Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Wide-ranging training library
- Development programmes (including mentoring)
- Up to 70% off book purchases
- A charity bookshelf
- 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
- Season ticket loans
- And much more!
The role will be based at our London office, Carmelite House, or our Sheffield office, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.
If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.
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 and undertaking junior roles. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org