Senior Press Officer

We are seeking a proactive and enthusiastic individual to lead on high-impact publicity strategies. Reporting to the PR Director, you will plan and implement creative, audience-appropriate campaigns with a particular focus on YA, Middle Grade, and trend-led publishing. This is a vital role for a PR professional who enjoys deepening relationships with influencers, building new media contacts, and providing first-class care to our world‑class authors and illustrators.

Your team Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) is a division of Pan Macmillan and is one of the UK’s leading children’s publishers. We are proud to publish best‑selling and prize‑winning authors and illustrators including Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler, Rod Campbell, Chris Riddell, Frank Cottrell‑Boyce, Frances Hardinge, Tomi Adeyemi and many more. Our creative and experienced communications team sits at the heart of the business, collaborating closely with UK and international sales teams, the editorial and design teams, authors, agents and partners. We champion a culture of collaboration and innovation to deliver best‑in‑class campaigns that get all children reading.

Your role As Senior Press Officer, you will plan and implement creative, effective, audience‑appropriate PR campaigns. With a particular focus on YA, Middle Grade, trend‑led publishing and community growth, you will pitch and deliver media coverage which drives sales and buzz, working closely with our digital team and key internal stakeholders to build new contacts, deepen relationships with influencers and provide first‑class author and illustrator care.

Your key responsibilities:

• Campaign management: Working under the guidance of the PR Director, plan and implement outstanding consumer PR campaigns for a list of MCB titles across all media platforms, to include influencer, press activity and events.
• Budget tracking: Run campaigns within a set budget, ensuring all proposed and completed spend is accurately and promptly tracked in the budget grids.
• Media & influencer relations: Build and maintain effective relationships with journalists, online communities and influencers (particularly on BookTok and Instagram) to maximize PR opportunities for First Ink, Middle Grade, and beyond.
• Author & agent care: Provide a high level of author, illustrator and agent care at all times, acting as a key point of contact and ensuring they are supported throughout the publication process.
• Events & tours: Pitch and organize high‑profile events, tours and festival appearances, both physical and virtual, to drive engagement and sales.
• Content creation: Create and distribute compelling, accurate press releases and seasonal mailers that capture the attention of busy media professionals.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Liaise with US and International counterparts on global campaign plans and contribute to author pitches and acquisition decisions for future publishing investment.

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

• Industry knowledge: A demonstrable passion for children’s books and the publishing industry, with a particular interest in MCB’s YA and Middle Grade lists.
• PR expertise: Evidence of delivering end‑to‑end impactful PR campaigns.
• Digital connectivity: Extensive knowledge of the digital PR landscape including influencers, podcasts and community spaces.
• Relationship building: Outstanding interpersonal skills to build rapport with authors, agents and internal stakeholders.
• Organisation: Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality work to tight deadlines.
• Clear and effective communication: Effective written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably and professionally.
• Creativity: A creative mindset with the ability to generate fresh, innovative ideas that drive engagement.
• Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Google Workspace, Biblio and Cision.
• Innovation and efficiency: A forward‑thinking approach to publishing with an openness to exploring new tools and technologies, such as AI, to improve workflows and create more efficient processes.
• 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:

• Brand experience: Experience working on family brands or with family media.

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 starting from £33,000.

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
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

Location:

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.

Applications process and inclusion:

Please note, all applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email. All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role. 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 are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.