Editor, Paper Sailor - DK LIFE in London

We are looking for an Editor to join the DK Life team and work directly with Publisher Richard Atkinson across a range of illustrated non-fiction lifestyle books on the Paper Sailor list. Paper Sailor is DK’s new author‑led, design‑driven lifestyle imprint – so new that our first titles won’t land until 2027. Ours will be joyful, optimistic books that are the very best in their field.

Reporting to our Executive Editor, you will work on around 8–12 books a year, from concept to finished copies. You’ll be liaising with production, rights and sales colleagues as well as freelance designers, photographers and editors. Strong communication and project management skills are essential, as well as a keen eye for design, a feel for good prose and overall impeccable attention to detail.

Working across an eclectic list that majors in food, but also includes architecture, crafts, gardening, music and travel, you’ll need to have a real enthusiasm for the logistics of creating exceptional colour books. This will be an ideal opportunity for progression for an existing Assistant Editor or, perhaps, someone already in an Editor position who is looking for a new challenge.

Ideally you’ll have proven experience of working on 4-colour illustrated books for co‑edition markets; familiarity with InDesign is essential, and with Biblio, desirable. This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three days a week based in our London office.

If this sounds like your next role, please apply with your CV and a covering letter by midnight on Sunday 28 June. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. As part of your covering letter, please answer the following question: Tell us about a title you have worked on, and what were your responsibilities? We are eager to see your own unique voice and talent, not the words generated by an AI tool. Please refrain from using AI in this application.

Salary: £32,820–£35,500, depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Benefits:

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 70% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish)
• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad
• And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business *Subject to certain criteria being met.

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code. DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office. This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in our Pimlico office. As this is non‑negotiable, please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships.

About our Company: We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in. From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. We are the world's leading illustrated publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann, creating cutting‑edge design and stunning visual books for the whole family. We are passionate about inspiring curiosity and bring people to books through their thirst for knowledge.