Editorial Director, Audio

At Penguin Random House Audio, we're the UK's leading audiobook publisher, dedicated to creating exceptional listening experiences for audiences everywhere. Working with some of the world's most exciting authors, narrators and creative talent, we publish bestselling and award-winning audiobooks across every genre - from major frontlist releases to carefully curated catalogue publishing.

Audio is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing areas of publishing, and at PRH Audio we combine creative ambition with commercial rigour to deliver market-leading work. We are now looking for an Audio Editorial Director to lead and develop a high-performing commissioning team and shape ambitious, audience-driven publishing across a number of PRH divisions.

The role

Reporting to the Publishing Director, the Audio Editorial Director provides senior editorial leadership across a significant frontlist and catalogue portfolio. You will work in close partnership with Publishers and Editorial Directors across PRH divisions, acting as an expert voice on audio strategy and playing a key role in shaping acquisitions, casting and rights investment. Combining strong editorial judgement with commercial acumen, you will ensure that our publishing is creatively outstanding and aligned with audience opportunity. You will also directly lead and develop a team of editors - setting clear standards, coaching performance and fostering a culture of ambition, accountability and collaboration. This is an influential role requiring confident stakeholder management, market insight and the ability to balance creative vision with financial discipline.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the editorial strategy for major frontlist publications and significant catalogue investment across your divisions.
• Act as a senior audio voice in acquisitions conversations, shaping ambition through insight into market trends, audience behaviour and competitor activity.
• Lead high impact casting decisions, aligning voice, profile and audience strategy in partnership with marketing, sales and studio teams.
• Identify and secure strategically valuable audio rights, working closely with the Publishing Director and senior stakeholders.
• Understand financial performance at title and divisional level, ensuring editorial decisions support revenue growth and profitability.
• Develop and maintain senior relationships with agents and narrators, strengthening PRH Audio's market position and access to top-tier talent.
• Lead and manage a small team of audio editors, creating high standards and a culture of continuous development.

What you'll bring

You’ll be a confident and collaborative editorial leader with strong commercial instincts and a deep understanding of storytelling in audio. You’ll enjoy operating at pace, influencing senior stakeholders and developing others to deliver their best work. We are open to candidates from across audio and publishing. You may already be working in audiobooks, or bring a strong track record as a print editor, with experience shaping and publishing successful books and a desire to apply that editorial judgement and commercial awareness in an audio context.

Essential criteria:

• Significant editorial or commissioning experience within audiobooks, audio or book publishing.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience contributing to acquisition or investment decisions.
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing individuals or teams.
• Confident stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior colleagues and external partners.
• A strong understanding of audience behaviour and market developments within audio publishing.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to balance creative ambition with operational and financial awareness.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt‑in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the “What you’ll bring” section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 27th of May 2026. Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Salary

Circa £55,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Hybrid working

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you would be in the office 3 days a week.