Contracts Assistant

Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world’s most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honours and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Adams Media, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

About the role

Reporting to the Contracts Manager and working with the Head of Contracts, the Contracts Assistant will provide key administrative support, draft and negotiate simple contractual documents under supervision, and process contracts for signature and payment. They will act as the first point of call for internal and external contractual queries and help provide a contractual business function across the company’s Adult and Children’s divisions, liaising with internal departments and external contacts, including authors and agents.

The role has exciting scope for progress within a successful and fast-growing company.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contractual documents including publisher’s releases, audio reader agreements, audio licensing agreements, novation agreements, addenda
• Set contracts up for electronic signature, including tracking, chasing, and processing signed contracts for payment.
• Amend the title management system for signed contracts, save documents to the internal database.
• Work with the children’s design team to process flat-fee illustrator agreements.
• Respond to internal and external queries, liaising with departments and agents.
  Day to day contracts administration and record keeping/progress tracking including maintaining accurate files and acting as a point of contact for other departments.
• Deal memo support to editorial teams.
• Chasing overdue contracts in a timely manner and investigating older unsigned paperwork.
• Expanding duties may include responsibility for handling reversion request process, providing deal memo system training for new editorial staff, and taking on higher value drafting. You will also look to progress by checking head contracts provided by literary agents against the deal memo and applicable precedents, working with colleagues in Simon & Schuster US, Australia and India on intercompany deals, and supporting the Contracts Department in system updating and process creation.

Personal Competencies and Skills

• Some familiarity with contracts and an interest in law is desirable, and some familiarity with the publishing industry and/or commercial awareness would prove beneficial.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to work to deadline.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn; proactive nature.
• A good grounding of administration and working in an office environment. Previous experience in an administrative role is desirable.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 applications is strongly desirable and good IT skills are essential.

Location: London

Salary: Starting from £27,000

Apply: Closing date: 17, July 2024

Please apply by attaching your CV and cover letter [with details of your current salary and expectations]

Successful applicants will be shortlisted for an initial screening. If your application is progressed, you will then be asked to attend a formal competency-based interview.

If you require any adjustments at interview, such as extra time or breaks etc., please let a member of the recruitment team know once they’ve been in touch.

Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression. At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. 

Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster UK role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice,and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.