Head of Marketing, Marketing and Publicity, Adult (12-months FTC), Simon & Schuster UK in London

Head of Marketing, Marketing and Publicity, Adult (12-months FTC), Simon & Schuster UK in London

London Temporary 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative marketing campaigns for exciting book titles and authors.
  • Company: Join Simon & Schuster UK, a leader in the publishing industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary starting from £61,000 and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the literary world while developing your marketing skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in marketing, strong leadership skills, and a passion for books.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

Salary: Starting from £61,000

Application deadline: Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 23:59

The Head of Marketing will be responsible for leading the strategic marketing direction across a portfolio of key titles and projects, ensuring campaigns deliver strong commercial impact, audience growth and brand development, and supporting the Director of Marketing & Insight with team management and marketing strategy across the Adult UK list. The role will work collaboratively with editorial, publicity, sales and digital, as well as US and international teams, to deliver joined-up campaigns and launches.

The Head of Marketing will lead high-impact marketing campaigns across priority titles and authors, driving commercial performance, audience growth and innovation across new channels. They will develop the long-term marketing strategy for the Scribner and Summit literary lists, strengthening positioning, reader communities and brand recognition, while ensuring campaigns align with wider publishing, sales and publicity strategies. They will lead and develop a high-performing team, collaborate closely with editorial, publicity, sales, digital and international colleagues, and provide strategic insight into publishing plans and priorities. They will also identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities, share best practice, and deputise for senior leadership when required.

The Head of Marketing will have strong strategic marketing capability, with the ability to plan and deliver high-impact campaigns, alongside strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the book market and consumer behaviour. They will be a confident people manager, with the ability to coach, mentor and develop others, and an excellent communicator and stakeholder manager, able to build strong working relationships across departments and international teams and represent marketing confidently in senior forums. They will have a proactive, solutions-focused mindset, be highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.

They will bring experience in book marketing, publishing or a closely related creative industry, with a demonstrable track record of leading and delivering high-profile marketing campaigns, managing or mentoring team members and supporting professional development, as well as managing budgets and building audiences and communities. They will have an excellent understanding of marketing principles, campaign planning and audience development, alongside knowledge and experience using relevant marketing, social media and audience development tools and platforms, and experience working collaboratively across business departments and with international teams.

We are keen to hear from the widest range of candidates and we're open to different types of experience. If you have experience in marketing across any area of the arts or entertainment, we would love to hear from you. Please note, the candidate will be required to be in the office at least two days a week. Unfortunately, Simon & Schuster UK cannot accept applications from candidates without a legal right to work in the UK or who require visa sponsorship. Right to work checks are carried out on candidates who make it to offer stage.

Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression. At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.

Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster UK role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.

Head of Marketing, Marketing and Publicity, Adult (12-months FTC), Simon & Schuster UK in London employer: Bookmachine

Simon & Schuster UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees enjoy a supportive culture that fosters professional growth and development, particularly in the exciting realm of publishing contracts. Located in the heart of the UK publishing industry, this role provides unique opportunities to engage with both Adult and Children’s divisions, making a meaningful impact on the literary landscape.

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Contact Details:

Bookmachine Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Marketing, Marketing and Publicity, Adult (12-months FTC), Simon & Schuster UK in London

Dive into Local Events

Get involved with local marketing and communications events! These are great places to meet people from the industry, learn about temporary roles, and even uncover hidden job leads. Check out local networking events or marketing conferences that might be happening in your area.

Show Off Your Work

Create a standout digital portfolio showcasing your previous campaigns, writing samples, or projects. Share this on social media and professional groups relevant to marketing-communications. This public visibility can often attract interest from potential employers, especially for those temporary gigs!

Utilise Online Job Boards

Focus on job boards specific to marketing and communications. Sites like MarketingJobs.com or even LinkedIn can have temp roles that aren’t always advertised on the usual job sites. Keep your eyes peeled and apply through our website—temp roles can come up unexpectedly, and you want to be first in line!

Tap into Your Uni's Resources

If you're still at university, don't forget to lean on your career services for temporary marketing roles. They often have connections to firms looking for interns or temporary staff who can jump in at short notice. Plus, networking with your professors can lead to some valuable opportunities—always worth a chat!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Marketing, Marketing and Publicity, Adult (12-months FTC), Simon & Schuster UK in London

Strategic Marketing Capability
Campaign Planning
Commercial Awareness
Understanding of Book Market
Consumer Behaviour Insight
People Management
Coaching and Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Experience with Campaigns:In marketing-communications, it’s all about showcasing your ability to create impactful campaigns. Make sure to include any relevant projects you’ve worked on in your CV, detailing your role, the strategies used, and the results achieved. We're looking for candidates who can demonstrate their creativity and analytical skills!

Tailor Your Writing Samples:For a temporary role, we want to see your versatility and adaptability in communication. Include a couple of writing samples that align with our brand voice or reflect your ability to engage various audiences. This gives us a taste of what you can bring to the team at Bookmachine from day one!

Show Off Your Digital Savvy:Digital marketing is a big part of marketing-communications, so make sure your application reflects your understanding of social media, SEO, and content marketing. Feel free to throw in any certificates you've earned in these areas—it shows your initiative and dedication to learning the latest trends!

Express Your Enthusiasm for the Short-Term Role:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in this temporary position at Bookmachine specifically. Share what you hope to learn during your time with us and how you can contribute to our ongoing projects. We're all about passion and potential, so let that shine through!

How to prepare for a job interview at Bookmachine

Showcase Your Creative Portfolio

As a candidate for a temporary marketing-communications role at Bookmachine, your portfolio will speak volumes. Bring along samples of your best work—think campaigns you've managed, social media content, and any visuals. Be ready to talk through your creative process and the impact your work had on previous projects.

Understand the Latest Trends

We know the marketing-communications field moves at lightning speed. Make sure you brush up on the latest trends—such as digital storytelling or the effectiveness of influencer partnerships. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Bookmachine you're not just up-to-date but also eager to innovate.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work on short timelines. Share examples from your past where you had to pivot a strategy or campaign swiftly to meet changing demands. This will reassure Bookmachine that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Ready Your Communication Strategy

Be prepared for questions that assess your communication skills. You might get asked to pitch a marketing idea on the spot or create a quick content plan. This is your chance to shine and show how your unique perspective can solve problems for Bookmachine, so think on your feet and don't hesitate to showcase your creativity!