Commissioning Editor, Bloomsbury Lifestyle in London

Do you enjoy keeping up-to-date with the latest lifestyle trends? Are you a commercially-driven editor who understands what consumers want? Want to work on solution-focused books that enrich people’s lives and reach as wide an audience as possible? If so, we’re keen to hear from you as we have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Editor role at Bloomsbury Lifestyle.

We’re looking for someone to acquire high-quality lifestyle books (from gardening to lifestyle gift), which will include a mix of profitable new titles, as well as commissioning within some existing brands, for example creatively republishing key backlist titles. Joining an ambitious and fun team of seven, this is a brilliant chance to help shape the future of the list and take your books from pitch to publication with maximum impact. Bloomsbury Lifestyle publish Cookery, Gift, Lifestyle and Wellbeing books. We are home to cookery brands like Poppy O’Toole, beautiful books like Padella, out-of-the-box gift books like The Crisp Sommelier and wellbeing books like The Walking Cure. No matter what the subject, our books are characterised by out-of-the-box concepts and unique design, that have far-reaching appeal. Our authors and our team are all here to connect readers with the people and ideas that will enrich their life.

The Role

• Reporting to the Editorial Director, responsibilities will include:
• Acquire, project edit and publish up to 6 top-quality lifestyle titles per year, on time and to budget.
• Creatively republish 2 key backlist titles and proactively seek out new opportunities.
• Review, develop, maintain and deliver profitable publishing of books in line with divisional targets, driving the strategy for their titles.
• Work to critical path and manage schedule, budget, production and creative team for mono and illustrated books.
• Build and maintain a strong network of authors and agents in the UK and internationally, within the publishing industry and beyond.
• Be hungry to find and secure new talent early on, be it via agents or direct approaches.
• Be trend aware, social media savvy and able to turn your ideas into standout books.
• Be a great team player who injects energy and creativity into the core team and builds good relationships across the business, particularly with sales, marketing and publicity.
• Bring creative thinking and innovation to the publishing of titles, as well as strategic thinking and budget awareness.
• Have innovative ideas for backlist publishing and will proactively seek out new opportunities.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• We’re looking for a creative, highly-motivated editor with proven experience of commissioning titles that would comfortably sit on our list.
• You’ll be eager to be an ambassador of your own list within the Lifestyle category of the Bloomsbury Lifestyle list, both within Bloomsbury as well as externally and have the following skills, knowledge and experience:
• Proven experience of lifestyle commissioning.
• Illustrated experience, mono experience is preferable too, with an eye for design.
• Ability to pitch, package and publish with maximum impact and excellent communication skills.
• Lots of initiative.
• Strong market awareness and the ability to build a network.
• Creative mindset.
• Are a team player and enjoy working as part of an ambitious, forward-thinking, mutually-respectful team.

Additional information:

• The role is full-time and a permanent position.
• Salary: £30,750 – £36,400 per annum.
• The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are: Monday and Tuesday.
• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Bloomsbury Benefits

• Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).
• 25 days holiday.
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday.
• Two paid Personal Wellness Days.
• Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week.
• Work Anywhere Fortnight – For two weeks of any calendar year. The minimum period for Working Anywhere is one week, the maximum period is two weeks.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Learning & Development – Free access to LinkedIn Learning, BookMachine Campus, InRehearsal & IPG Skills Hub.
• Share Save Scheme.
• AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance).
• Ride to Work Scheme.
• Peppy Health App.
• In-house Doctor.
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme.
• EAP Advice and Counselling.

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required.