Editorial Director

What on Earth Publishing is excited to be recruiting for an Executive Editor to lead its eponymous illustrated children’s nonfiction imprint What on Earth Books. A successful candidate will have at least 8 - 10 years’ experience as a book editor, ideally in children’s nonfiction. They will have an innovative, powerful, market-aware creative vision; will be collaborative, flexible, and unflappable under pressure; will be an excellent project manager able to bring a collaborative team to deliver first-rate work on time and on budget, and will have a strong network and growing network of authors, illustrators, and other contributors to call upon. The position reports directly to the Publisher.

Job description

Reporting to the Publisher and collaborating closely with design and marketing and with What on Earth Publishing’s partners, you will.

• Oversee the growth and development of What on Earth Publishing’s What on Earth Books imprint and title list: 
  • Plan the publishing program, insuring a balance of age groups and price points;
  • Develop and maintain new and existing partnerships, keeping these relationships effective, efficient and peaceful;
  • Expand the list to identify and enter into new categories, markets and formats;
  • Further develop and maintain a network of standout authors and illustrators;
  • Grow the annual revenue of the list.
• Acquire 10–12 children’s nonfiction/reference titles per year, designed to stand out and sell strongly in the marketplace and to conform to the brand identity of the imprint.
• Project manage all titles acquired from initial concept through to bound book, including running P&Ls, scheduling, recruiting authors and freelance contributors, negotiating contracts, managing book teams to deliver high-quality books on time and on budget and managing metadata.
• Work closely with marketing to craft and support a powerful presence for each title in the marketplace, serving as a spokesperson if and as needed.
• Edit content, including:
  • Working closely with contributors and colleagues to plan and shape each title;
  • Working closely with design to ensure a harmonious, appealing and child-engaging marriage of illustration, photography, text and design;
  • Editing text for compelling storytelling and riveting information reporting, as well as for style, level and accuracy and felicity.
• Manage the development of educational materials for a curriculum utilizing the Publisher’s assets as part of a collaboration with a UK academy chain.
• Other duties as required.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter to hr@whatonearthbooks.com with the subject line, ‘Editorial Director’ by Friday 22nd October 2021.

We’re afraid we can only get back to successful applicants. No agencies, please.

Thank you and good luck!