Publishing Director, HQ Digital (12-month Maternity Cover)

HQ Digital is the digital-first list of HQ, specialising in innovative digital publishing across the commercial fiction market, from contemporary fiction, historical fiction to crime and thrillers. Recent bestsellers have included How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent, Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin and The Marriage Lie by Kimberley Belle. We’re proud to have launched stellar careers for a host of digital bestsellers both in the UK and internationally.

A key role in the HQ division, you will be excited by the opportunity to manage our digital-first list, and have a clear, informed view of digital fiction publishing, with innovative, inspiring ideas as to how to bring the very best fiction ebooks to market. This is a senior role which harnesses both a creative and strategic approach driving growth for the HQ Digital list, encompassing new title launches, ongoing author strategy, and backlist management.

The role requires a passion for digital publishing, the ability to respond quickly to trends and publishing opportunities, and the chance to work with an enthusiastic, ambitious team. You will be an energetic champion of both your books and the list, working closely with the sales, publicity, marketing and rights teams, supporting junior colleagues in their development.

Reporting to the Commercial Fiction Publisher, you will be responsible for implementing a profitable publishing strategy, acquiring new titles and encouraging our commissioning editors in their digital publishing, ensuring that HQD remains at the forefront of this exciting, fast-moving part of the fiction market.

• Publishing Strategy: Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated digital publishing strategy for HQD. Acquiring new titles for the HQ Digital list, creating bestselling digital brands and global bestsellers, through both acquisition and IP. Review and develop profitable publishing plans in line with divisional targets; setting and sticking to publishing schedules, responding to changes in the market when needed. Identify gaps on the list and jump on emerging digital trends, ensuring our team of fiction editors is fully aware of the opportunities to commission to the heart of the digital market.
• Budget: Responsibility for delivering budget revenues and controlling costs, delivering sales and profit. Be a key driver in the budgetary process, working with Sales and Marketing colleagues to set sales targets and play a strong part in delivering those targets.
• Editorial: Work closely with your own list of authors, overseeing titles from acquisition to publication. Publish your authors creatively and profitably, while advising editors on how to maximise their own ebook publishing. Promote excellent author care within the team, building a supportive and inclusive author community, and building good relationships with agents. Identify opportunities for HQD titles in physical retailers. Brief covers and liaise with designers on covers and copy. Check sales and marketing material. Read, circulate and reject submissions as required. Manage HQD’s submissions inbox. Present titles and imprint at key meetings in-house and externally. Ensure best-in-class metadata at all times. Build HQD’s brand at trade events.
• Sales & Marketing: Lead our international digital publishing; help our fiction editors find the best routes to market and develop long-term plans for author growth in the US and Canada; build strong relationships with our international partners. Work closely with our senior team to maximise all opportunities afforded by world rights. Liaise with Digital Sales to plan key promotions and pricing strategies throughout the year. Ensure other teams have all the advance information that they require to deliver on all opportunities. Work with the Marketing team to maintain and share advice and best practice to authors and colleagues. Responsible for delivering our digital sales budgets, developing both title-level strategy and an overarching acquisition strategy to help drive growth.
• Line-management: Line management of an editorial assistant.

• Robust experience of trade publishing at Editorial Director or Deputy Publishing Director Level
• Creative thinker
• Commercial risk taker
• Quick reader
• In tune with digital innovations within the industry
• Strong awareness of market trends
• Excellent communicator
• Proven leadership skills
• Strategic vision
• Strong organisation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven track of entrepreneurial commissioning
• Experience of establishing and developing effective agent relationships
• Passionate about commercial fiction
• Flexible – able to work evenings and weekends as required

• 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, mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
• Relocation Rent Support Loan
• Employee networks
• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal
• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
• Gym membership discount
• Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
• We plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire
• 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.