Publishing Executive

Who we are and what we do

Bookouture is the UK’s fastest growing digital publisher and part of Hachette UK. We are only twelve years old but we have grown rapidly every year and have now sold more than 80 million books to readers worldwide. We were among the first publishers to harness the power of data, and we believe we remain the best at it. We have all the advantages of being part of a big five publisher with the mindset and entrepreneurial drive of a start-up. If you think this sounds like an exciting place to work, we want to consider your application.

In the role of Publishing Executive , you’ll collaborate with a talented team to create great books and take them to market – and learn all there is to know about creating digital bestsellers. We’re looking not only for great publishing talent, but people who make a habit of improving the way things are done, who embrace change and who enjoy applying data to creativity.

This role can be based at our Edinburgh, London or Sheffield offices.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting our editors to ensure that our books are as good as they can be. This will include overseeing editorial schedules, managing manuscripts from copy edit stage through to typesetting / eBook conversion – focusing on producing error-free final files and updating them as necessary.
• Supporting editors on packages: clearing images and liaising with designers on final cover files.
• Supporting editors with author communication – updating authors on publication plans and sales and other administrative author support.
• Assisting editors in creating persuasive, effective product pages, marketing materials, metadata, quotes and keywords for every one of our books.
• Assisting our Digital Operations Manager to ensure that our books are distributed to as broad an audience as possible with accurate pricing and metadata.
• Providing administrative support across the team as needed, with each publishing executive having an area of extra responsibility (for example prizes, managing editorial, promotions, audio) and supporting the head of that department with their workload.
• Opportunities to shadow edit, provide cover feedback, draft copy and pitches, and engage in other creative work.

Who we are looking for

• You will be a keen and wide-ranging commercial fiction reader, with an insight into which books work and why, looking for your first or second role in publishing. We are always open to applications from people looking to change career as well.
• You will have impeccable attention to detail, excellent organisation skills, and the ability to prioritise a busy workload on tight deadlines.
• You will be logical and analytical in your approach to all things.
• You will love using data to enhance creativity, and challenging and changing the way things are done.
• You will have a growth mindset, always looking for ways to improve and learn in your role.

What we offer

Bookouture is a dynamic working environment, where your ideas will be heard and where you will have the capacity to change things, take risks and do things differently. We are a fun and sociable workplace where there is always lots going on. You will be part of a fast-growing company, with opportunities for career progression.

Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:

• 28 annual leave days per year, increasing to 29 days after 2 years’ service and going up to 30 days after 5 years’ (+ bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension schemes
• Rent deposit loans
• 2 community days per year
• Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
• Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Wide-ranging training library
• Development programmes (including mentoring)
• Up to 70% off book purchases
• A charity bookshelf
• 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
• Season ticket loans
• And much more!

This role can be based in any of our Edinburgh, London or Sheffield offices, with a blend of in-office (minimum 3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.

Our commitment

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking junior roles. For more information visit

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