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- Tasks: Lead the Picture Book team, acquiring and commissioning engaging stories for young readers.
- Company: Join Hachette Children's Group, a top UK publisher dedicated to inspiring a love of reading.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28+ annual leave days, private medical insurance, and generous discounts on books.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values diverse voices and impactful storytelling.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's publishing, team leadership, and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Flexible work arrangement with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote each week.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Who we are and what we do
Hachette Children’s Group of the UK’s largest children’s publishers, our mission is to make it easy for children and young people everywhere to access books and see themselves reflected. We aim to maximise our readers’ life chances by inspiring a lifelong love of reading, publishing books for every stage of their journey to adulthood from Enid Blyton to Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper.
Hachette Children’s Group is a division of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 11 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.
What you’ll be doing
Are you a highly motivated and experienced commissioner of picture books, committed to finding the very best stories and concepts to delight young minds? Do you have a proven track record of managing a team and developing strategy?
Hachette Children’s Books is seeking a self-starting Editorial Director to join their Picture Book team. Working with the Preschool and Picture Book Publisher, you will be responsible for delivering the creative and commercial success of an award-winning, bestselling list. Acquiring and commissioning high-quality, engaging picture books, you’ll ensure the list reflects a wide range of talent and diverse voices. You will manage and support a team of editors, keeping the list on schedule and on budget, while meeting market needs. You will be someone with a passion for storytelling for the youngest of children and an eye for a standout text or exciting illustration style.
This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with energy and enthusiasm, creative vision and a strategic mindset.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a proactive and experienced acquirer, commissioner and editor of picture books, with experience in leading and supporting a team. Knowledge of the Children’s market will be necessary to develop and implement strategy, and an understanding of contracts with proven negotiation skills is a must. The ability to work closely and collaboratively with authors, illustrators, agents and in-house colleagues will be key, as will excellent communication and organisational skills. We’re looking for someone with passion and flair who can generate ideas, spot talent and drive the growth of our picture book list.
What we offer
Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:
- 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years’ service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ (+ bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension schemes
- Rent deposit loans
- 2 community days per year
- Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
- Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Wide-ranging training library
- Development programmes (including mentoring)
- Up to 70% off book purchases
- A charity bookshelf
- 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
- Season ticket loans
- And much more!
The role will be based at our London office, Carmelite House, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.
If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.
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Editorial Director employer: Hachette UK
Contact Detail:
Hachette UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Editorial Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the current trends in children's literature, especially in picture books. Understanding what resonates with young readers and parents will help you demonstrate your insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with authors, illustrators, and other professionals in the children's publishing industry. Building relationships can provide you with valuable insights and potential collaboration opportunities that align with Hachette's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your vision for a diverse and engaging picture book list. Think about how you would approach acquiring stories that reflect a wide range of voices and experiences, as this aligns with Hachette's commitment to inclusivity.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Highlighting your ability to keep a list on schedule and on budget will be crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Editorial Director position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as experience in commissioning picture books and managing a team.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in children's publishing, particularly in acquiring and editing picture books. Showcase any leadership roles and successful projects that align with the company's mission.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for children's literature and your strategic vision for the picture book market. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and developed creative strategies in previous roles.
Showcase Your Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of the children's market in your application. Discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities you see in the industry, and how you would approach them as an Editorial Director.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hachette UK
✨Show Your Passion for Children's Literature
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for children's books during the interview. Share specific examples of picture books that have inspired you and discuss how they reflect diverse voices, as this aligns with the company's mission.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing a team. Highlight instances where you've successfully led projects, supported your team members, and ensured that deadlines were met while maintaining high-quality standards.
✨Highlight Your Strategic Vision
Discuss your approach to developing and implementing strategies in the children's market. Provide examples of how you've identified market needs and trends, and how you've adapted your commissioning process to meet those demands.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you've worked closely with authors, illustrators, and agents. Be ready to explain how you fostered these relationships and navigated any challenges that arose.
