Desk Editor

Overview

Department: Managing Editorial

Contract: 12-month fixed-term, full-time

This is an exciting opportunity to join an industry-recognized team within an award-winning publishing house on a twelve-month fixed-term contract. We are looking for an organized and detail-oriented individual who is passionate about working across a variety of genres. This is an important and wide-ranging role for someone who enjoys seeing projects through to completion as accurately and effectively as possible.

Job Title: Desk Editor

Team: Managing Editorial

Location: Based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Your Team

You will be working in the Managing Editorial team, reporting to the Managing Editor for Pan. Managing Editorial is 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, technical processes are refined and commercial needs are met, all while bringing a wonderful and varied array of books to life.

Your Role

You will play a crucial role in supporting our Adult commercial publishing, project-managing backlist titles and your own frontlist allocations to iron out any typos and misplaced commas.

A typical day could include liaising with commissioning editors and authors before moving on to check a jacket or proofread some cover copy. You may also review a copy-edited manuscript or prepare a file for typesetting. You might attend a progress meeting and follow up with Biblio schedule maintenance to keep on top of critical path dates, enabling you to line up freelancers for upcoming projects. You may also check an ebook file, proofreading picture captions or copy-editing bonus content for exclusive editions.

Key Responsibilities

• Project-manage a number of assigned frontlist titles, working across all elements of the editorial and production process, including copy-edits, proofreads, indexes, picture sections, endmatter and circulating jacket artwork
• Oversee multiple formats of assigned titles, including exclusive editions, export editions, backlist or reissued editions, and ebook files
• Work closely with commissioning editors, authors, production controllers, artworkers and other key stakeholders to problem-solve effectively and keep titles to schedule and on budget
• Book and manage freelancers for assigned titles and quality-check their work
• Input at progress meetings, provide updates on projects and monitor outstanding material to ensure critical path dates are met
• Support the Managing Editorial team at peak times, reviewing key processes and carrying out general administrative tasks to assist with the smooth running of the department
• Copy-editing and proofreading text, as required, and checking catalogues, sales copy and ad-hoc material for other departments

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values

• Editorial experience: Previous desk-editing or editorial assistant experience with first-rate copy-editing and proofreading skills
• Accuracy: An impeccable eye for detail and an excellent understanding of the English language, including grammar, punctuation and semantics
• Schedule management: Understanding of the editorial and production process and the ability to draw up, manage and renegotiate schedules in line with the critical path
• Adaptability: Self-motivated and flexible, with the ability to pivot between tasks and manage multiple projects
• Technical proficiency: Strong understanding of Microsoft Word (track changes) and Adobe (for digital mark-up)
• Integrity: Honest project management and stakeholder liaison with a focus on reliable updates and high-quality deliverables
• Community: Ability to work collaboratively in a team and communicate effectively
• Curiosity: Proactive interest in finding innovative ways to improve workflow efficiencies across the lifecycle of a book
• Inclusion and representation: Active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with Google for Work (Gmail/Gemini/Google applications)
• Experience with Biblio (an advantage)

What You’ll Get In Return

In return, we offer a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment, and a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary starting from: £33,000

Closing date: 28 January 2026

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance
• 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 Pan Macmillan books and 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

This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

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 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. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here: https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

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.

Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here: https://panmacmillan.com/recruitment-privacy-notice. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice before submitting your application.

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