Head of PR

HarperFiction is a division of HarperCollins UK, and publishes some of the biggest commercial writers in the business, including bestsellers Lucy Foley, Karin Slaughter, Abigail Dean and Bernard Cornwell.

It is also home to world leading genre imprint Voyager, publisher of George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb and Jay Kristoff; literary imprint The Borough Press, home of Bella Mackie, Tracy Chevalier, Lionel Shriver and Joanna Cannon; and the literary estates of Agatha Christie and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Introduction to the Role

We are looking for an experienced Head of PR to join our Fiction division. A fantastic opportunity for someone with a breadth of experience across commercial publishing and excellent knowledge of the market to join an established and successful team.

Working closely with the PR team, and your editorial and marketing colleagues, you will devise and implement innovative, integrated and targeted publicity campaigns for a diverse range of bestselling and emerging fiction authors, from the book club fiction to crime and thriller and literary estates, with the aim of driving profitable sales and raising and maintaining author profiles.

Core responsibilities

• As part of a team of 6, develop innovative and creative publicity campaigns in line with key objectives across individual titles, imprints and brand authors

• Be a leading PR voice in acquisitions meetings, demonstrating excellent knowledge of the market, media and literary prizes, and contributing to pitches where required

• Deliver creative and stand-out publicity campaigns, strategically targeted towards an identified readership, across both traditional and new media channels, on brief and within budget

• Generate and foster review and feature coverage across relevant media, including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, online and social media

• Maintain strong awareness of trade news and the competitive set

• Plan and execute author tours/visits to raise author profile and generate sales

• Work closely with the Editorial, Marketing and Sales teams to ensure publicity opportunities are fully maximised and communicated across the Division

• Present publicity strategy and campaigns to internal and external stakeholders including editors, authors and agents

• Demonstrate an awareness of competitors’ social media and events strategy, and help develop the year-round programme for BookIt, delivering engaging content to help grow the channel

• Maintain, develop and grow relationships with key journalists, producers and new media contacts across all channels

• Generate trade press releases and announce new title acquisitions

• Line-manage a direct report and act as a mentor and advisor to junior team members

Experience required

• Solid, demonstrable experience as a publicist within the publishing industry or a related PR environment

• Excellent author care experience

• Proven track record in generating publicity coverage across a variety of authors and campaigns and a range of media

• Experience across a variety of genres including crime, fantasy and literary brands/estates

• Experience of organising and managing author tours and events

• Experience of organising successful virtual events, with retail partners, and across a variety of platforms

• Experience of digital and traditional communications

Skills required

• Capable of creative and innovative publicity campaigns

• The ability to juggle a heavy workload under pressure, and to change direction when needed

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

• A team player with excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to influence key stakeholders, both internal and external.

• Motivated self-starter with a ‘can-do’ attitude

• Extensive and proven network of media, literary and bookseller contacts

• Ability to write compelling and engaging copy – for social media, events and pitching

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.