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- Tasks: Negotiate and draft contracts for top publishing divisions while leading a talented team.
- Company: Join HarperCollins, a world-class publishing leader with a commitment to creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, private healthcare, and unlimited training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in publishing while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in contracts or business affairs within the UK publishing sector.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London Bridge
Reporting to: Business Affairs Director
Overview
Are you an experienced contracts professional looking to make a significant impact across a diverse portfolio of world-class publishing divisions? We are seeking a Contracts Manager to take on divisional responsibility for negotiating and drafting acquisition contracts for HarperCollins’ Children’s Books, Farshore, and Collins Learning, alongside Collins Reference, Fourth Estate, and William Collins. In this pivotal role, you will be a key partner to our publishing teams, providing authoritative advice and creative solutions to ensure our contracts reflect our "best-in-class" service standards. You will not only manage complex negotiations with authors, agents, and third parties but also lead and develop talent by managing two assistants within the team.
What You’ll Do
- Negotiate & Draft: Lead the acquisition of publishing rights by drafting a wide range of agreements, from author contracts to serial rights and non-disclosure agreements.
- Strategic Advisor: Act as a consultant to publishing and rights teams, anticipating legal concerns and providing clear negotiating strategies to resolve them.
- Team Leadership: Establish clear goals for your direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
- Commercial Insight: Use your financial literacy and deep knowledge of copyright law to support the commercial goals of your assigned divisions.
Who You Are
- Experienced: You have a proven track record in a Legal, Contracts, or Business Affairs role within the UK publishing environment.
- Resilient & Calm: You remain objective and professional under pressure, handling complex negotiations with a constructive and flexible mindset.
- Strategic Thinker: You look beyond the immediate task to consider "what if" scenarios and develop imaginative solutions to problems.
- Collaborative: You are a strong communicator who can motivate others and build relationships across all levels of an organization.
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
- Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire
- 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.
Contracts Manager employer: HarperCollins Publishers
Contact Detail:
HarperCollins Publishers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the publishing industry, especially those who work at HarperCollins. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Contracts Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your negotiation skills. Think of real-life scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex discussions. We want to hear how you’ve tackled challenges and come out on top!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your strategic thinking! Be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving and what creative solutions you've implemented in past roles. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your value as a strategic advisor.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at HarperCollins. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in negotiating and drafting contracts, especially within the publishing sector, to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, give examples of how you've approached complex negotiations or provided creative solutions in past roles. We want to see that you can think outside the box and anticipate legal concerns.
Highlight Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing assistants, share any relevant leadership experiences. Talk about how you've set goals and fostered a high-performance culture in your previous teams.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the only way we accept applications, and it helps us keep everything organised. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at HarperCollins Publishers
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the types of contracts relevant to the role. Brush up on author agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and any specific publishing rights that might come up. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you’ve successfully navigated complex situations. Highlight your strategic thinking and how you’ve provided creative solutions. This is crucial for a Contracts Manager role, so be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes in detail.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
Since this role involves managing assistants, think about how you can showcase your leadership style. Prepare to discuss how you set goals, foster accountability, and motivate your team. Share specific instances where you’ve developed talent or improved team performance.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research HarperCollins and its various divisions to understand their values and culture. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially around collaboration and integrity. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’re a good fit for their team.
