Senior Editor, Fiction Macmillan Children's Books (MCB) · Farringdon, London

Join our award-winning MCB and First Ink publishing team! As a Senior Editor, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to inspire a new generation by publishing outstanding fiction books for young readers from middle grade to YA and crossover.

Your team: You will be an essential part of a passionate and creative team dedicated to publishing a diverse, engaging and dynamic list for young readers. We have an exceptional list of authors and high-profile brands, which includes YA voices such as Tomi Adeyemi, Elle McNicoll and Hafsah Faizal, middle-grade authors like MG Leonard, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Pari Thomson, and non-fiction from influential figures such as Hamza Yassin, Marcus Rashford and Dara McAnulty.

Your role: As a Senior Editor, your primary responsibilities will revolve around managing the lifecycle of your books from idea to launch. You will have a specific focus on developing fiction intellectual property (IP) and championing your books through to publication, including for our dedicated young adult imprint First Ink. You will work collaboratively with authors, agents and internal teams to ensure each book reaches its full commercial potential and resonates with our readers.

• Publish existing titles: Manage and support our existing fiction lists to ensure ongoing commercial success across global markets.
• Develop new IP: Create and develop innovative new IP that responds quickly to current trends across middle-grade and young adult publishing.
• Build the list: Identify and acquire new books for publication, working closely with authors, agents and external partners to grow our middle-grade and YA list.
• Review submissions: Read, evaluate and report on incoming manuscript submissions.
• End-to-end title management: Oversee all of your assigned books from acquisition through to publication and beyond.
• Manage editorial stages: Edit your assigned titles at every single stage of production.
• Monitor market trends: Research and track industry trends to help inform our future book acquisitions and overall publishing strategies.
• Finalize contract terms: Draft, negotiate and complete contract terms for new book acquisitions.
• Cross-functional teamwork: Partner closely with design, production, sales, rights and communications teams to successfully launch and promote our books.

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

• Children’s and YA expertise: Significant experience working within the publishing industry, and a genuine passion for children’s and YA literature.
• Commercial trend spotting: A commercially minded approach with a proven ability to identify, track and react to market trends.
• Advanced editing skills: Proven experience completing structural edits, developmental edits and line edits to a high standard.
• Project management oversight: The ability to plan, track and manage complex publishing projects effectively.
• Clear communication style: Effective spoken and written communication skills.
• Publishing network connections: Established professional relationships with literary agents.
• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices.
• 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.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Google Workspace 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: £38,000–£42,000 (dependent on experience and expertise)

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
• 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

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.

Disability confident scheme: As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions.

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