Skip to main content

Editorial Director - Commercial Fiction

Oneworld is a leading independent publisher with a diverse range of award-winning fiction authors from Marlon James and Tayari Jones to Tess Gunty and Samanta Schweblin. We have an opening for an ambitious, confident and visionary individual with a track record of acquisition success to take on the newly created role of Editorial Director for Oneworld’s commercial publishing division.

Who we are looking for:

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

This role would suit an energetic, organised, and highly motivated candidate with several years of publishing experience. You should have a proven track record of successful publishing, excellent knowledge of the UK and US commercial fiction markets and experience in author management and negotiation. We’re looking for someone truly passionate about all kinds of commercial fiction, from bookclub novels to crime and thriller, with a strong list of agent and publishing contacts.

The Editorial Director, reporting to the Publisher, will be responsible for designing and driving the publishing strategy for our new bookclub list, Magpie Books, as well as overseeing our crime  and thriller list, Point Blank, ensuring growth, profitability and quality of publishing. The Editorial Director is an integral member of the Editorial team and works closely with key authors and agents and other departments internally. They will also play an important role as a people manager, and as partner to the Publisher and wider team.  

Core Responsibilities: 

  • Take a lead role in the overall management and direction of Oneworld’s commercial fiction lists 
  • Working with the Senior Commissioning Editor for crime titles, plan the strategy and development of the Point Blank list to meet growth and profitability targets, and subsequently drive this forward  
  • Maintain and develop relationships with authors and agents with a view to future acquisitions 
  • Negotiate, or be accountable for the negotiation of, author contracts which are consistent with commercial objectives 
  • Attract and retain the best authors by providing excellent author care and being fully accessible 
  • Work with the Sales, Publicity and Marketing teams on the development of pitch plans to support acquisition of new projects 
  • Ensure the team maintains constructive relationships with other departments and that books have the required and appropriate focus of publicity, sales and marketing efforts 

Candidate Profile:

  • Significant editorial and negotiating experience  
  • Demonstrable love of books and a voracious reader 
  • An understanding of the marketplace, readership and competitors  
  • Experience of interpreting financial information / data 
  • Previous line-management experience, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performance team culture 
  • A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity 
  • An individual who is comfortable working autonomously and confident making decisions  
  • Creativity combined with sound commercial judgement 
  • An individual who presents well and delivers with self-confidence and emotional intelligence 
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and to influence others 
  • Experience of managing projects and handling competing priorities combined with strong personal organisation and time management skills  

Please apply in writing with a covering letter and your CV to jobs@oneworld-publications.com (addressed to Juliet) by midnight on Sunday 26th March. 

What you can expect from us:

Salary: competitive, dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role

This role will be based at our Bloomsbury Street office. We’re currently operating a hybrid system with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.

The role is a full-time position, but we would also consider a part-time applicant.

Editorial Director - Commercial Fiction

Oneworld Publications, London
Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Editor, Publishing, Management, Communications, Business Development, Editorial
Reference: 
Editorial Director - Commercial Fiction
Salary description: 
Competitive

Share this job now

This role would suit an energetic, organised, and highly motivated candidate with several years of publishing experience