Editorial Assistant Farringdon, London

Join our friendly publishing team and support the full range of publishing by bestselling author Julia Donaldson, including picture books, novelty, activity, gift and poetry titles.

Your role as Editorial Assistant will support the editorial process from start to finish, ensuring our books stay on track and maintain the highest quality. You will assist in the development, production and management of children’s titles, reprints and backlist titles, reporting to the Publishing Director.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide day‑to‑day administrative and editorial support to the Publishing Director.
• Prepare agendas, schedule meetings, take clear minutes and follow up on action points.
• Use internal publishing systems (e.g. Biblio, Vista, Tableau) to set up new book profiles and maintain accurate data.
• Check and update metadata to improve discoverability and pull sales figures when required.
• Process invoices, raise payment paperwork and track late payments to ensure timely author, illustrator and supplier payments.
• Coordinate book reprints and special sales editions by supplying updated files and schedules.
• Assist with editorial tasks such as drafting back‑cover copy, reading layouts, and providing proofreading support.

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values:

• Attention to detail and the ability to proofread text for minor errors.
• Comfort with numbers and data, including compiling sales reports and analysing market metrics.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to manage a varied workflow.
• Passion for children’s books and the publishing industry, especially across picture, novelty, activity and gift formats.
• Clear written and spoken communication skills.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented approach to problem‑solving and adaptability.
• Experience with tools such as MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, Canva, and Biblio.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and representation in the workplace and publications.
• Team‑orientated mindset and a collaborative approach to building a supportive environment.
• Curiosity and a drive for learning new perspectives.
• Integrity, openness and the willingness to learn from mistakes.

Desirable skills:

• Some practical experience working in the publishing industry, including bookselling or related administrative or creative roles.

Benefits:

• 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 Fridays).
• 2 volunteer days per year.
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales.
• Season ticket loan/advance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings.
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch.

Salary: £28,000

Location: Farringdon, London – full‑time office based with some flexibility for working from home each week.

Right to work: All applicants must demonstrate rights to live and work in the UK.

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion: We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.

Disability Confident scheme: As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long‑term health conditions and will offer an interview to all who meet the essential criteria.