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Managing Editor (London)

Severn House is the genre fiction imprint of Canongate Books, one of the UK’s leading independent publishers. We publish over 100 books a year, with a focus on crime, mystery and thrillers, although we also publish everything from historical fiction and romance to urban fantasy and horror. 

We’re looking for a highly organised, quick thinking and enthusiastic Managing Editor to support the Severn House team. This role is based in our London office, with hybrid working available.

This pivotal wide-ranging role would see you working closely with editorial team overseeing the publishing critical path. With 8 titles a month, this role requires someone with excellent organisational skills and who is confident working with a team to ensure deadlines are met. A keen eye for detail and a firm grasp of grammar are a must, along with strong IT skills.

This is not a commissioning editor role but would suit someone who is a passionate about books and who relishes the challenge of managing processes, data and systems.

Key duties will include:

  • Overseeing workflow and critical path, setting schedules and deadlines for all books and materials including cover briefing, cover copy, prelims and copy-edits.
  • Principal liaison between editorial and production department.
  • Managing freelance editors and designers: commissioning work, providing feedback, processing invoices, keeping to budget and recruiting new freelancers as required.
  • Collating proof corrections for approx. 8 monthly titles, resolving queries directly with authors, agents, editors and freelancers as appropriate and ensuring all corrections are taken into texts and covers, page extent checked before signing off for print.

What knowledge, skills, experience we’d like you to have:

  • At least three years’ experience in publishing, ideally in Production or Editorial
  • Able to respond flexibly to a busy workload and manage multiple deadlines
  • IT skills such as a good knowledge of Office and working knowledge of Biblio preferred
  • A meticulous attention to detail and a strong grasp of grammar and punctuation
  • A confident team player

Salary: £28,000pa

This is full-time position reporting into the Publisher.

To apply, please send your CV (including contact details for two references) and a covering letter to Joanne Grant, detailing why you feel you are suitable for this role. Email to recruitment@canongate.co.uk. The deadline for applications is 6pm, Sunday July 3rd 2022.

PLEASE NOTE:

Canongate is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. 

Due to the high volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to everyone. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for the position. We will keep your information securely until June 30th 2022. Unless you are the successful applicant, all of your information will be deleted from our systems at that point.

Managing Editor (London)

Severn House, London
Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Editor, Editorial
Salary description: 
£28,000pa

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