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Editorial Director - HarperFiction (Maternity Cover FTC)

Are you an experienced commissioning editor looking for a new publishing challenge?

An exciting opportunity has arisen to take on a fixed-term contract as Editorial Director in the General Fiction team of HarperFiction, publishers of Sunday Times bestselling names and break-out hits across the commercial fiction genre.

The role will suit commercially astute, highly organised candidates who have both initiative and energy, who are excited to think creatively about how we publish our books and can deliver excellent author relationships and editorial support.  The ideal candidate will have strong editorial experience, excellent industry connections across agents and authors and will be confident liaising with editors, designers, sales, marketing, production, and art teams to bring a touch of bestseller magic to every publication. We’re looking for someone truly passionate about all kinds of commercial fiction, with the ability to develop and implement a profitable publishing strategy across all their titles, contributing to our success.

Key tasks and accountabilities

  • Ownership and superb author care of a stable of authors, along with their agents

  • Responsible for the full publishing and editorial process across a range of titles

  • Liaising with internal teams on design, marketing, sales, PR and production

  • Developing and implementing agreed publishing strategy

  • Ensuring titles are delivered on schedule and within budget

  • Managing and negotiating repeat author acquisitions

Experience/skills required

  • Solid knowledge or experience in commercial fiction, with a proven track record of successful publishing in genre

  • Strong structural editing experience

  • Delivering exceptional author and agent care

  • Excellent commercial instincts

  • Creative flair

  • Initiative

  • Strong understanding of the publishing process and relationship management

  • Negotiation skills

Benefits

  • Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office)

  • 26 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)

  • Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

  • Private healthcare cover and life assurance

  • Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal

  • Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme

  • Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC

  • Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes

  • Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers

  • Gym membership discount

  • Onsite physiotherapy (London only)

  • Charitable donation matching and volunteering day

  • We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

  • Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

  • Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

  • Onsite prayer room

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition Manager at stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Editorial Director - HarperFiction (Maternity Cover FTC)

HarperCollins, London
Contract, Full-time, Maternity Contract, Maternity Cover
Publisher
Administration, Editor, Publishing, Management, Communications, Business Development, Editorial
Reference: 
Editorial Director - HarperFiction (Maternity Cover FTC)

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Solid knowledge or experience in commercial fiction, with a proven track record of successful publishing in genre Strong structural editing experience