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- Tasks: Commission and edit exciting titles in Science Fiction and Fantasy, shaping the future of bestselling books.
- Company: Join HarperCollins, a leading publisher with a passion for storytelling and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, wellness programmes, enhanced leave, and unlimited training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make your mark in publishing while working with award-winning authors and dynamic teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and a love for popular fiction are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant culture that values diversity and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
HarperCollins Publishers
Employment Type: Contract 12 month maternity contract
Location: Hybrid · London, UK (3+ days office based)
Seniority: Mid-level
Closing: 11:55pm, 17th Feb 2026 GMT
Perks and benefits:
- Work from home option
- Wellness programs
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Mentoring/coaching
- Cycle to work scheme
Job Description:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Editor at HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie. This is a great opportunity for an editor with some commissioning experience to step up and commission onto award-winning and bestselling Science Fiction and Fantasy imprints. The successful candidate will be commercially savvy, having an extensive knowledge of the market and a passion for the bestselling books that we publish.
The role will also involve supporting on one or more of our big brand authors, working with the Publisher to manage brand publishing, internal team comms and brand strategies. This will also include some desk editing.
Responsibilities:
- Acquiring titles in line with HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie’s acquisition strategy
- Fantastic publishing vision: taking full ownership of every title you work on, devising a launch strategy and developing the publishing plan with internal stakeholders, then communicating it consistently to authors and agents
- Excellent author care: supporting authors from acquisition to publication with excellent communication, sales data, industry and market context and editorial support
- Structural and line-edits, discussing new ideas and developing projects with your authors
- Launching and presenting titles at International, sales and marketing meetings
- Negotiating deals with agents for the best possible outcome, in line with HC best practice and guidelines, preparing deal memos and progressing contracts for all acquisitions
- Putting books through production, liaising with the production team in line with critical path
- Briefing market-informed jackets and liaising with designers; writing market-informed copy and ensuring covers meet all deadlines for retailer sell-in
- Ownership of metadata and AIs, ensuring these fit with emerging trends in the market
- Building strong and dynamic relationships with agents, ensuring GF sees the best talent and best debuts in this area as well as being a first port of call for existing authors looking to move
- Building great relationships with internal colleagues across the business
- Attending launches, industry events and festivals
Previous experience of working on a commercially focused, popular Science fiction and Fantasy list or on SFF within a non-genre list
Experience of owning, devising and implementing publishing strategy
Experience working at an editor level or above
Sound market knowledge of popular fiction, and especially crime, thriller and historical authors and trends
Full knowledge of desk editing and publishing processes
Experience of working directly with authors and agents
Skills Required:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a keen eye for detail
- Digital skills -- able to drive digital and audio initiatives and innovation
- Ability to own and drive own workload
- Ability to work in a very fast-paced environment across multiple titles with multiple stakeholders
- Quick-thinking and extremely organised
- Creative
- Ability to work individually and collaboratively as part of a cross-divisional team
- Strong awareness of market trends
Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
Private healthcare cover and life assurance
Summer Hours
Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
Relocation Rent Support Loan
Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
Onsite prayer room
At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.
Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager employer: Be Applied Ltd
Contact Detail:
Be Applied Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, book fairs, and author signings. It's all about making connections that could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the genre! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your favourite titles and what excites you about the Science Fiction and Fantasy market.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by researching HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie's recent titles and trends. This will help you demonstrate your market knowledge and show you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at HarperCollins.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for Science Fiction and Fantasy shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for the genre and how it aligns with what we publish at HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your commissioning experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of titles, so show us how you've done that in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate excellent communication skills, so make sure your writing is clear and free of jargon. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! We won’t accept email applications, so make sure you follow the process to ensure your application gets seen by us.
How to prepare for a job interview at Be Applied Ltd
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Familiarise yourself with bestselling titles and authors in the genre. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate your commercial savvy, which is crucial for a Commissioning Editor role.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous commissioning experience and how you've successfully managed author relationships. Bring examples of your desk editing work and be ready to talk about how you’ve developed publishing strategies that align with market demands.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you would explain your vision for a title or how you would negotiate deals with agents. Clear communication can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Engage with Their Authors
Research some of the authors associated with HarperVoyager and HarperMagpie. Be ready to discuss how you would support them from acquisition to publication. Showing that you understand their needs and how to care for them will highlight your suitability for the role.
