Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Acquire and publish exciting non-fiction titles in health and lifestyle.
- Company: Join the Penguin Life team, home to bestselling authors and innovative ideas.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that shapes the future of personal development books.
- Qualifications: Creative, motivated individuals with strong communication and organisational skills.
- Other info: Engage with diverse authors and make a real impact in the publishing world.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 48000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Commissioning Editor to join the Penguin Life team at Penguin General, home of bestselling authors such as Dr Rangan Chatterjee, James Nestor, Ellie Middleton and Haemin Sunim. We're looking for an ambitious and proactive acquirer with an eye for the biggest books in health, wellbeing, popular psychology, modern philosophy and inspiration.
About Penguin Life
Penguin Life is a home for books that span all areas of our lives, from relationships to career, psychology to cookery, productivity to parenting, health to leadership, smart thinking to spirituality. What unites all of our books is that they offer new information, and practical steps, to embrace behavioural change. Our authors are experts and thought leaders, mission-driven pioneers who lead with integrity and purpose. Penguin Life's books, and authors, can be relied on as trustworthy guides in the often-overwhelming world of personal development.
The role
In this role, you will work as part of a team that is collaborative and supportive, proactive and entrepreneurial. We work hard to nurture individual talent as part of our collective success. At Penguin General, we strive for working life to be progressive, energising, motivating and rewarding for all our colleagues at every level. We value curiosity and are looking for people who notice the world, ask questions, and bring fresh perspectives to what we do. If you're endlessly curious and love discovering and sharing new ideas, you'll feel at home here.
Reporting to the Editorial Director, and joining a team of seven, this role will be responsible for publishing around eight new non-fiction titles a year with a particular focus on enduring trends in health and lifestyle publishing, ideally with international potential, that will sell for years to come. In the role, you can also expect to be:
- Generating books for publishing in part through being on top of trends and proactively seeking out new opportunities.
- Managing the complete publishing cycle of your books, liaising with key departments across the business, authors, agents and other external partners.
- Engaged in market research across multiple platforms and territories, sharing information and using it to inform acquisitions.
- Networking to create and maintain strong relationships with authors, agents and other partners in the UK and internationally.
- A strong team player and an advocate for your books and the Penguin Life list.
What you'll bring
Essential criteria: We are looking for a creative, highly motivated individual with talent and high potential. You will be knowledgeable about the market, full of ideas and confident in collaborating in-house and out from start to finish of each book. The ability to work effectively under pressure while keeping to schedule is essential, as are strong organisational skills and attention to detail. You'll be an excellent communicator, able to write persuasive cover copy and make convincing verbal pitches, as well as create and maintain matchless author relationships. You will also actively engage with Penguin Random House's diversity and inclusion goals.
Engaged with the outside world and brings a commercial mind-set. Interested in acquiring in areas of health, wellbeing, popular psychology, modern philosophy and inspiration. Strong internal and external relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and to influence others. Experience with authors, agents and international buy-ins. A good mix of strong creative and analytical skills. A confident negotiator. Scrupulous attention to detail and organisational skills. A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 6th of February 2026. Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length. Please include in your cover letter a pitch for an author (either an established author or someone who you think could write a great debut) who you think would sit well on the Penguin Life list.
Salary
The salary range for this Senior Commissioning Editor role is £45,000 to £48,000. An offer will be made in line with how your skills and experience align to the role.
Senior Commissioning Editor, Penguin Life (Penguin General) employer: Bertelsmann
Contact Detail:
Bertelsmann Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commissioning Editor, Penguin Life (Penguin General)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Penguin Life team and their authors! Follow them on social media, engage with their content, and understand their publishing style. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, book fairs, or even online webinars related to health, wellbeing, and psychology. Building relationships with authors and agents can give you an edge when it comes to pitching your ideas.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising your pitch. Think about how you'd present a potential author or book idea that fits the Penguin Life ethos. Be ready to discuss trends and how your vision aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Penguin Life family. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commissioning Editor, Penguin Life (Penguin General)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight how your experience aligns with the role and don’t forget to pitch an author you think would fit perfectly with Penguin Life. Keep it engaging and concise!
Show Off Your Market Knowledge: We want to see that you’re in tune with the latest trends in health, wellbeing, and psychology. Use your application to demonstrate your understanding of the market and how you can bring fresh ideas to the table.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in this role. Ensure your CV and cover letter are free from errors and well-structured. This reflects your organisational skills and shows us you can manage the publishing cycle effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Penguin Life!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bertelsmann
✨Know Your Authors
Before the interview, do your homework on the authors and books that are part of the Penguin Life list. Be ready to discuss why you think certain authors would fit well within their catalogue and how you can contribute to their mission of providing trustworthy guides in personal development.
✨Showcase Your Market Knowledge
Demonstrate your understanding of current trends in health, wellbeing, and popular psychology during the interview. Bring specific examples of books or authors that have made an impact recently and explain how you would leverage these insights to acquire new titles for Penguin Life.
✨Prepare Your Pitch
Craft a compelling pitch for an author you believe would be a great addition to the Penguin Life list. This is your chance to showcase your persuasive communication skills, so make sure to highlight what makes this author unique and how their work aligns with the values of Penguin Life.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role requires strong teamwork, be prepared to discuss your experiences working collaboratively. Share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with authors, agents, and colleagues, and how you can bring that collaborative spirit to the Penguin Life team.
