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- Tasks: Commission and edit exciting titles in Science Fiction and Fantasy, supporting bestselling authors.
- Company: Join HarperCollins, a leading publisher with a commitment to creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, private healthcare, and unlimited training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the publishing world and work with award-winning authors.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and a passion for popular fiction are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values authenticity and offers excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commissioning Editor at HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie. This is a great opportunity for an editor with some commissioning experience to step up and commission onto award-winning and bestselling Science Fiction and Fantasy imprints. The successful candidate will be commercially savvy, having an extensive knowledge of the market and a passion for the bestselling books that we publish. The role will also involve supporting on one or more of our big brand authors, working with the Publisher to manage brand publishing, internal team comms and brand strategies. This will also include some desk editing.
Responsibilities
- Acquiring titles in line with HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie’s acquisition strategy
- Fantastic publishing vision: taking full ownership of every title you work on, devising a launch strategy and developing the publishing plan with internal stakeholders, then communicating it consistently to authors and agents
- Excellent author care: supporting authors from acquisition to publication with excellent communication, sales data, industry and market context and editorial support
- Structural and line-edits, discussing new ideas and developing projects with your authors
- Launching and presenting titles at International, sales and marketing meetings
- Negotiating deals with agents for the best possible outcome, in line with HC best practice and guidelines, preparing deal memos and progressing contracts for all acquisitions
- Putting books through production, liaising with the production team in line with critical path
- Briefing market-informed jackets and liaising with designers; writing market-informed copy and ensuring covers meet all deadlines for retailer sell-in
- Ownership of metadata and AIs, ensuring these fit with emerging trends in the market
- Building strong and dynamic relationships with agents, ensuring GF sees the best talent and best debuts in this area as well as being a first port of call for existing authors looking to move
- Building great relationships with internal colleagues across the business
- Attending launches, industry events and festivals
Experience Required
- Previous experience of working on a commercially focused, popular Science fiction and Fantasy list or on SFF within a non-genre list
- Experience of owning, devising and implementing publishing strategy
- Experience working at an editor level or above
- Sound market knowledge of popular fiction, and especially crime, thriller and historical authors and trends
- Full knowledge of desk editing and publishing processes
- Experience of working directly with authors and agents
Skills Required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; a keen eye for detail
- Digital skills -- able to drive digital and audio initiatives and innovation
- Ability to own and drive own workload
- Ability to work in a very fast-paced environment across multiple titles with multiple stakeholders
- Quick-thinking and extremely organised
- Creative
- Ability to work individually and collaboratively as part of a cross-divisional team
- Strong awareness of market trends
- Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Benefits
- Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
- Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
- Private healthcare cover and life assurance
- Summer Hours
- Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
- Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
- Relocation Rent Support Loan
- Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
- Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
- Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
- Gym membership discount
- Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
- Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
- We're a certified Carbon Neutral company
- Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
- Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
- Onsite prayer room
At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks. If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days. Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.
Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager employer: HarperCollins Publishers
Contact Detail:
HarperCollins Publishers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, book fairs, and author signings. It's all about making connections that could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the genre! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your favourite titles and what excites you about the current market trends.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your ideas! If you land an interview, come armed with thoughts on potential acquisitions or marketing strategies that align with HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie’s vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Editor, HarperMagpie & HarperVoyager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for SFF: When you're writing your application, let your love for Science Fiction and Fantasy shine through! Share your favourite books or authors in the genre and how they inspire you. We want to see that you're not just knowledgeable but genuinely excited about the titles we publish.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in commissioning and editing. Use specific examples from your past roles that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of titles, so show us how you've done that before!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate great communication skills, so keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your writing is easy to read. Remember, this is your chance to showcase your editorial skills right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures everything is in one place. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at HarperVoyager & HarperMagpie!
How to prepare for a job interview at HarperCollins Publishers
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Familiarise yourself with bestselling titles and authors, especially those published by HarperVoyager and HarperMagpie. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show your genuine passion for the genre.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous commissioning experience and how you've successfully managed titles from acquisition to publication. Bring examples of your work, including any strategies you've devised or implemented, and be ready to talk about how you’ve supported authors through the editing process.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you would explain complex ideas simply, as you’ll need to communicate with both authors and internal teams. Consider preparing a few anecdotes that highlight your communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
The role requires a creative mindset, so come prepared with ideas for potential titles or marketing strategies. Think outside the box and be ready to discuss how you would approach launching a new book. This will show your interviewers that you can think strategically while also being innovative.
