At a Glance
- Tasks: Acquire and develop 8-10 inspiring non-fiction titles each year.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Ebury, part of the Penguin Random House family.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of publishing while empowering authors and readers alike.
- Qualifications: Experience in publishing, strong communication, and a passion for personal development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The role involves building a list of titles that inform, empower, and spark new directions within the Self hub. You will join a collaborative and supportive team tasked with identifying, acquiring, and showcasing a clear publishing vision for around 8-10 books a year. With confident commercial instincts and a clear understanding of audiences, you will advocate for your authors and contribute to team meetings shaping the future of our publishing programme.
The role is focused on developing and delivering high-quality non-fiction for the Self hub, building relationships with authors and agents, and contributing to the overall strategy of the Self publishing list.
Key responsibilities:- Acquiring 8-10 titles per year with a clear commercial proposition and compelling vision
- Staying abreast of trends in health, personal development, and wellbeing around the world, able to identify and act on new ideas and opportunities
- Using market knowledge and research to contribute to meetings, guide commissioning decisions, and ensure our list stays ahead of the curve
- Developing strong internal relationships across departments to champion the Self Hub and its authors
- Maintaining and developing relationships with authors and agents with a view to future acquisitions
- Writing first-class copy
- Dealing with negotiations around the book within agreed tactics and values before and after acquisitions meetings
- A commercial mindset: engaged with market trends within our core areas of publishing
- Good at spotting opportunities for improvement and growth
- Strong internal and external relationship management skills
- A confident negotiator who is not afraid to constructively challenge when required
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people
- The ability to multitask and handle competing priorities
- Publishing experience
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role along with a short paragraph about a book you wish you had commissioned and why by 11:59pm on 8th October 2025.
Salary and working arrangements:Circa £40,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits. 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. For this role, we expect that you will spend a minimum of two days in the office and flexibility to be in the office as needed on a third day for occasional focus work as a team. During your probation period, you will be expected to be in the office for 3 days a week.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior levelEmployment type: Full-time
Job function: Writing/Editing
Industries: Book and Periodical Publishing
Commissioning Editor, Ebury Self in London employer: Penguin Random House UK
Ebury Self is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, perfect for ambitious individuals eager to make their mark in the publishing industry. With a focus on personal development and wellbeing, employees are encouraged to grow through meaningful projects and strong relationships with authors and agents. The flexible working arrangements and competitive salary package further enhance the appeal of joining our dynamic team in a vibrant office environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Editor, Ebury Self in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the publishing industry, attend events, and connect with authors and agents. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the Self hub! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas about what titles you’d love to see published. This shows you’re not just looking for a job, but you’re genuinely invested in the vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss market trends! Brush up on the latest in health, personal development, and wellbeing. Being able to talk confidently about what’s hot will make you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Editor, Ebury Self in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about building a list of titles that empower and inform readers. Share what draws you to the Self hub and how you envision contributing to it!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in publishing, especially in non-fiction. We’re looking for someone with a commercial mindset, so don’t forget to showcase any achievements that demonstrate your ability to spot opportunities and drive growth.
Be Creative with Your Book Choice:In your application, you’ll need to include a short paragraph about a book you wish you had commissioned. This is your chance to show off your market knowledge and creativity! Pick a title that resonates with the Self hub’s vision and explain why it would have been a great addition to our list.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and keen to join our collaborative team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Random House UK
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the target audience for the Self hub. Understand their preferences and what types of titles resonate with them. This will help you demonstrate your commercial mindset and ability to spot opportunities during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Vision
Be prepared to discuss your vision for the types of books you would like to acquire. Think about trends in health, personal development, and wellbeing, and how they can inform your choices. Presenting a clear and compelling vision will show that you’re ready to contribute to the publishing programme.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in relationship management. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully built relationships with authors and agents in the past. This will illustrate your ability to champion the Self Hub and its authors effectively.
✨Prepare for Negotiations
Brush up on your negotiation skills before the interview. Think of scenarios where you had to negotiate terms or resolve conflicts. Being able to constructively challenge ideas while maintaining a collaborative spirit will be key to showcasing your fit for the role.
