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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage production of illustrated and mono books, ensuring quality and budget compliance.
- Company: Join HarperCollins, a leading publisher with a creative and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, wellness programmes, enhanced leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team producing impactful books that inspire readers.
- Qualifications: Experience in production management and strong organisational skills are essential.
- Other info: Great career growth potential and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Overview
Employment Type Full time
Location Hybrid · London, UK 3+ days office based
Team Group Production
Seniority Junior
Closing: 11:55pm, 28th Sep 2025 BST
Perks and benefits
Work from home option
Wellness programs
Employee Assistance Programme
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Mentoring/coaching
Cycle to work scheme
Candidate happiness
8.66 (30990)
Job Description
Introduction to the role
Our Production team are looking for a Production Controller to manage the production of colour illustrated and mono books for HarperCollins. The role will be responsible for managing the Pavilion backlist titles, Harper North frontlist mono titles, as well as working with the Special Sales team to produce non-trade and customised titles. We’re looking for an experienced individual who will confidently produce the products within the agreed budget, quality and lead-time requirements. As well as strong organisation and communication skills, we’re looking for someone with a creative spark and a keen eye for detail. You must be able to work to deadlines and be able to prioritise your workload. This is an ideal opportunity for a Production Assistant ready for their next step, or a Production Controller looking for a change.
Pavilion Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers specialising in illustrated non-fiction. Founded in 1981, the list has been defined by award-winning authors and brands, successful collaborations, distinctive design, well-researched content and uncompromising production values. The imprint’s main subject areas are food and drink, crafts, interiors, gardening, health, gift and nostalgia.
HarperNorth was established in 2020 and specialises in publishing voices from the North across fiction and non-fiction from memoir to history, crime to rom-com. The editorial team are based in Manchester, but this role is based at the London office.
Responsibilities
- Ensure products are produced within budget through estimating and maintaining costs (print, paper and bind costs as well as plant costs); negotiating with suppliers where applicable; presenting accurate final costs and processing invoices.
- Manage schedules for frontlist and reprints, from typesetting and pre-press through to delivery, ensuring deadlines are met.
- Run costings, ensuring commercial decisions are made using the most accurate information.
- Ensure corrections are collated and taken in for all reprints, maintaining communication with the appropriate creative and commercial teams.
- Develop relationships with repro, print and freight suppliers in Asia, Europe and elsewhere to ensure effective production.
- Liaise with warehouse and client services staff on stock issues and the release of your titles.
- Manage the archiving process to ensure that all product is available via Cumulus, the Digital Asset Management System.
- Manage eBook production/corrections.
- Maintain accurate records and data within the production system.
- Check plotter proofs or InSite proofs, check colour proofs where necessary and make sure printing matches proofs or previous printed copies.
- Assist other Production Controllers and Production Manager when required to manage workload and departmental needs.
Experience required
- Negotiating with suppliers, establishing good working relationships
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously
- Good knowledge of colour and mono book production
- Working with multiple stakeholders
Skills required
- Interest in print and eBook production
- Good numerical skills
- Ability to ask for help with solving problems, escalating as necessary
- Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office
- Desirable: understanding of InDesign/print pdfs
- 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
Benefits and other information
- 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
- Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
- Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
- 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
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 and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit https://www.btbs.org/ (recruitment@harpercollins.co.uk)
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 tarni.crossley-lees@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.
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Production Controller employer: News Corporation
Contact Detail:
News Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the publishing industry, especially those at HarperCollins. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that Production Controller role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research HarperCollins, their imprints, and recent projects. Show us you’re passionate about colour illustrated and mono books, and how your skills align with what they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves managing budgets and supplier relationships, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully negotiated in the past. We love a candidate who can demonstrate their value!
✨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 the team at HarperCollins. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Production Controller role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing production schedules and budgets, and don’t forget to showcase your creative flair and attention to detail!
Show Off Your Skills: We want to see your strong organisation and communication skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you’ve successfully managed multiple projects or negotiated with suppliers.
Be Authentic: When answering any assessment questions, be yourself! We value genuine responses that reflect your thoughts and experiences. Don’t stress about perfection; just let your personality come through.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications via our website, so make sure to submit your application there. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at News Corporation
✨Know Your Production Basics
Before heading into the interview, brush up on your knowledge of colour and mono book production. Familiarise yourself with the processes involved, from typesetting to delivery. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also understand the intricacies of production.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple projects simultaneously. Think of specific examples where you successfully prioritised tasks and met deadlines. This is crucial for a Production Controller, so make sure to highlight your organisational prowess.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiating with suppliers is part of the job, come ready with examples of past experiences where you’ve successfully negotiated costs or established good working relationships. This will illustrate your ability to handle one of the key responsibilities of the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the company’s production processes or their approach to managing relationships with suppliers. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
