At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the editorial team to publish bestsellers and innovative literary works.
- Company: Join Penguin Books, a leader in the literary world with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of literature and work with renowned authors.
- Qualifications: Proven editing experience and a passion for creative storytelling.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 52000 £ per year.
Are you already an Editorial Director, or an ambitious Senior Commissioning Editor ready to take the next step? This is a rare chance to take up a key role at Chatto & Windus, one of Vintage’s prestigious literary imprints.
About Chatto & Windus
Chatto & Windus publishes fiction, non‑fiction and poetry across a wide range of subjects and styles, from memoir, campaigning books and science to Booker Prize‑winning literary fiction, crossover bestsellers and genre‑defying poetry. We seek to balance the highest quality writing with commercial potential in everything we do. Recent titles include Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Tom Crewe’s The New Life, Laura Cumming’s Thunderclap, Diana Evans’s A House for Alice, Margaret Atwood’s Old Babes in the Wood, Lauren Elkin’s Art Monsters and Hannah Ritchie’s Not the End of the World. We are also the proud publishers of Toni Morrison, Nigella Lawson, Anne Tyler, Richard Flanagan, Amanda Gorman, Damon Galgut, Emma Cline, Warsan Shire, Caroline Criado Perez, Edmund de Waal, NoViolet Bulawayo, Kerry Hudson, Kayo Chingonyi and Rose Tremain.
The Opportunity
The successful candidate will support the Publishing Director and Deputy Publishing Director in managing and developing our publishing, strategy and workflow to launch bestsellers and ensure the quality of publishing. You will commission and publish a portion of the list directly, while having insight into the entire publishing programme, acting as an ambassador for the list and contributing to strategy for titles outside your own commissioning. You will help identify and build a case for new projects, negotiate contracts, position and launch books, galvanise colleagues across departments, solicit quotes, write great copy, brief and oversee jacket design, while being a primary point of contact for authors and agents.
Candidate Profile
- A proven track record in editing, acquiring, proactively commissioning new ideas and profitably publishing literary non‑fiction and fiction. If your experience is in non‑fiction only, we would also welcome hearing from you.
- Creativity, energy, sound commercial judgement and editorial flair combined with the ability to follow through and keep on schedule and budget.
- Ability to build strong relationships with authors, agents and across the wider industry.
- A keen sense of Chatto & Windus’s and Vintage’s priorities and values, and what makes for an outstanding work of non‑fiction, narrative non‑fiction and fiction.
- Comfortable acting as an internal and external ambassador for Chatto & Windus, and as a leader within the imprint and as part of the wider Vintage editorial team.
- A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity and emotional intelligence.
- Professional curiosity, and an appetite for innovation and problem‑solving.
- A good understanding of the marketplace: retailers, media, audiences and competitors.
- Confident partner for Marketing, Publicity, and other internal teams to develop each book’s strategy, positioning, copy and design.
- Proven author care and negotiation experience.
What you can expect from us
- Salary: £47,000 – £52,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
- Competitive benefits package:
- Financial – income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance
- Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks
- Lifestyle – enhanced parental leave, tech scheme
Hybrid working
We’re experimenting with a hybrid way of working that suits the needs of each team. While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. At Vintage, we consider what environment enables the best work for individuals, teams and the company. Vintage colleagues work from our Embassy Gardens office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and, once team and divisional considerations have been taken into account, have the flexibility to choose where to work on other days of the week.
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt‑in on their application form. If reasonable adjustments are needed, please contact us for support.
Editorial Director, Chatto & Windus employer: Penguin Books
At Penguin Books, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As the Editorial Director at Chatto & Windus, you will not only have the opportunity to shape the literary landscape but also benefit from a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and a flexible hybrid working model that prioritises your well-being and professional growth. Join us in our Embassy Gardens office, where innovation meets tradition, and be part of a team that champions outstanding literature and supports your career aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Editorial Director, Chatto & Windus
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend literary events, and engage with authors and agents. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the imprint! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your love for Chatto & Windus's unique style and values. Let them know why you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into their recent titles. Be ready to discuss what makes them stand out and how you can contribute to launching future bestsellers. Knowledge is power!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Director, Chatto & Windus
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Publishing:When writing your application, let your love for literature and publishing shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role and how it aligns with our values at Chatto & Windus.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in editing and commissioning. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a proven track record, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Be Creative in Your Approach:Don’t be afraid to showcase your creativity in your application. Whether it’s through your writing style or the ideas you present, we appreciate innovative thinkers who can bring fresh perspectives to our publishing strategy.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Chatto & Windus.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Books
✨Know Your Authors
Familiarise yourself with the authors and titles published by Chatto & Windus. Being able to discuss their works and how they align with your vision will show your genuine interest and understanding of the imprint's identity.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Flair
Prepare examples of your past editorial successes, especially in commissioning and publishing literary fiction and non-fiction. Be ready to discuss how you’ve balanced quality writing with commercial potential in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would approach developing a publishing strategy for new projects. Be prepared to share your ideas on identifying market trends and how you would position books to ensure they resonate with audiences.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in building strong relationships with authors, agents, and internal teams. Discuss specific instances where your interpersonal skills have led to successful collaborations or negotiations.
