Senior Desk Editor

We’re looking for an exceptionally organized and detail-oriented Senior Desk Editor to take primary responsibility for the smooth delivery of our non-fiction titles on the Bluebird and One Boat imprints, while also supporting projects across our wider publishing lists. This is an important and varied role for an experienced candidate with a solid understanding of the editorial and production processes and a passion for working with pre‑press teams to create books of the highest quality.

Your team: You will be working within the Managing Editorial team, reporting to the Managing Editorial Director. We’re a collaborative and multifaceted department that forms the backbone of Pan Macmillan’s publishing programme, overseeing frontlist, backlist and reissued titles through all stages of the editorial and production process. We work alongside authors, commissioning editors, the production team and other in‑house departments to ensure high editorial quality is maintained, processes are refined and commercial needs are met, all while bringing a wonderful and varied array of books to life.

You will predominantly be working on mono non-fiction titles across the Bluebird and One Boat imprints (non-fiction focused on memoir, self‑development and modern spirituality) while also supporting the wider Managing Editorial team on titles across our adult and children’s lists, including fiction, as required.

Your role: This pivotal role brings the Bluebird and One Boat publishing programmes to life, combining meticulous editorial oversight with dynamic project management. You will ensure seamless progress from copy‑edit to final files, championing quality and efficiency every step of the way. A typical day could see you liaising with commissioning editors and authors before checking a jacket or proofreading some cover copy. You might also review a copy‑edited manuscript or prepare a file for typesetting. You might then step away from a proof collation to run the Bluebird progress meeting. Afterwards, you might update Biblio schedules to keep on top of critical path dates. You may also be checking an e‑book file or anglicizing a buy‑in health title from one of our sister companies.

Your key responsibilities:

• Drive publishing projects: Act as the key point of contact for mono titles across Bluebird and One Boat. Manage your own diverse list of titles (across all formats – frontlist, backlist and e‑books), ensuring all text and artwork stages run smoothly and in line with the critical path. Collate and check proofs.
• Organize workflow and schedules: Run progress meetings for Editorial, Production, Text Design and Art. Book and manage freelancers for assigned titles and quality‑check their work.
• Champion quality: Ensure all aspects of text, artwork and associated materials (e.g. e‑books, consumer copy, pitches, indexes, illustrations, catalogues) meet Pan Macmillan’s high standards.
• Collaboration: Build strong, effective relationships with commissioning editors, authors, freelancers and internal teams, ensuring clear communication and proactive problem‑solving. Support the wider Managing Editorial team at peak times, working collaboratively to review key processes and assist with the smooth running of the department.
• Development: Train and mentor new members of staff on processes and styles.

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:

• Editorial experience: Previous experience in a similar project‑management role with first‑rate copy‑editing and proofreading skills. Experience of working on complex non‑fiction titles and/or high‑profile projects.
• Accuracy: An impeccable eye for detail, an excellent understanding of the English language (including grammar, punctuation and semantics) and confidence in applying style guides.
• Schedule management: An excellent track record of drawing up, managing and renegotiating schedules in line with the critical path, together with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt plans when needed.
• Adaptability: A self‑motivated, highly flexible approach to work, with the ability to move between projects, genres and imprints as priorities dictate.
• Technical proficiency: A strong understanding of Microsoft Word (track changes) and Adobe (for digital mark‑up).
• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
• Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Publishing interest & knowledge: A broad knowledge of non‑fiction publishing.
• Training & mentoring: Experience of training or mentoring.
• Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as Google Workspace, Gemini and Biblio.

What you’ll get in return: In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary: £37,000 to £40,000. Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.

Closing date: 22 November 2026. This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan
• Group income protection scheme
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 2 volunteer days per year
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion: At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve.

Disability confident scheme: As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long‑term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section. Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance. Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.

Adjustment & support: We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.

Privacy notice: All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.