At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media rights activity and negotiate adaptation deals for books into film, TV, and theatre.
- Company: Join Penguin Random House, a leading publishing business with a creative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and networking at industry events.
- Why this job: Make an impact by bringing stories to new audiences and formats.
- Qualifications: Experience in media rights, strong negotiation skills, and a network in the entertainment industry.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Can you take our books beyond the page? Do you have a proven track record of selling and negotiating adaptation deals with film, TV or theatre companies? We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Media Rights to lead our media rights activity and help unlock the full potential of Penguin Random House UK’s extraordinary catalogue of books, authors and ideas. You’ll identify exciting opportunities for adaptation across the film, television and theatre industries, and negotiate ambitious deals that bring our stories to new audiences and formats. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine strategic thinking, creative instincts and exceptional deal-making and relationship-building skills at the heart of one of the world’s leading publishing businesses.
About the team
Penguin Random House UK Group Rights represents international and domestic rights across the company’s eight publishing divisions helping our books and brands go global. Our Media Rights team works across all divisions including Adults and Children’s books.
The role
This is an exciting maternity cover opportunity leading Penguin Random House’s dynamic and highly successful Media Rights business, reporting into the Group Rights Director. We’re looking for someone who is both passionate and experienced in identifying and maximising adaptation opportunities, with strong industry connections and an entrepreneurial, opportunistic mindset.
You’ll be responsible for titles from across the Penguin Random House portfolio, so you’ll need to be confident working across a broad and varied range of projects – from children’s brands and bestselling crime series to exciting new literary voices and more.
Key responsibilities:
- Identifying books with potential for adaptation for TV, film and theatre
- Working closely to advise on new acquisitions with in-house editorial, contracts and legal teams
- Researching, planning and pitching our titles and authors for adaptation opportunities
- Negotiating deals, including auctions, on behalf of authors with buyers
- Working closely with legal to establish terms and conditions for rights sales
- Managing ongoing deals with external and internal stakeholders
- Working closely with individual authors to guide them through deals and the adaptation process
- Building our network of relationships across the media industry
- Keeping up to date with the fast-moving media and entertainment landscape
There is also occasional travel to international industry events and conferences.
What you’ll bring
Essential criteria:
- Strong experience within the media and entertainment industry, for example across agencies, literary scouting, production, representation or rights.
- A good understanding of copyright and intellectual property, or experience working with rights, contracts or related commercial agreements.
- An established network of contacts across film, television and the wider entertainment sector.
- Excellent negotiation and commercial skills, with experience developing opportunities, managing deals or representing creative talent or intellectual property.
- Strong knowledge of the entertainment landscape, including current creative and commercial trends.
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with authors, agents, producers and senior stakeholders.
- An entrepreneurial and proactive approach, with strong judgement and the ability to spot opportunities and drive them forward.
Please apply with your CV and cover letter (both in pdf format) outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 22nd of November 2026. The cover letter should be uploaded as an additional document. Please ensure you include a cover letter (in pdf format), as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.
Salary
Circa £60,000 to £70,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
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 work from our Embassy Gardens office at least 3 days a 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. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing [email protected].
Head of Media Rights (12-months-FTC) in London employer: Penguin Random House UK
At Penguin Random House Children's, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters creativity and collaboration within a vibrant new imprint dedicated to children's publishing. Our London-based team offers a dynamic work culture where your ideas are valued, and you have the opportunity to grow alongside passionate colleagues in a supportive environment. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a commitment to diversity, we empower our employees to thrive while making a meaningful impact on young readers' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Media Rights (12-months-FTC) in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Sorted
As a publishing-media temporary position, having a well-curated portfolio of your work is key. Gather your best writing samples, layouts, or projects you’ve been involved in, and make sure they're easily accessible online. This’ll give potential employers like Penguin Random House UK immediate insight into what you can bring to the table.
✨Tap into Publishing Networks
Don’t underestimate the power of industry connections! Join platforms like PublishingPerspectives or attend local publishing events. Engaging with others in the field can not only provide job leads but also valuable insights into temporary roles, like the one at Penguin Random House UK. Plus, you might just snag that insider info that helps you land the job!
✨Utilise your University Resources
If you're currently studying or recently graduated, your university's career services are a treasure trove! They often have connections with publishing agencies or temporary roles available in the industry. Make a visit or reach out to see if there are opportunities with companies like Penguin Random House UK that you can jump on.
✨Be Ready for Short Notice
In the world of temporary publishing roles, flexibility is your best friend. Be prepared to jump in at short notice! Keep an eye on job boards and set alerts for opportunities at places like Penguin Random House UK. The more proactive you are, the better your chances will be!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Media Rights (12-months-FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Portfolio:When you're applying for a temporary role in publishing-media, it's crucial to include samples of your writing. Whether it’s articles, blog posts, or even creative pieces, let us see your flair for storytelling and your ability to engage readers. A well-curated portfolio can really set you apart!
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV shines with skills that are essential for the publishing-media world. Highlight your experience with editing, content creation, or even specific software like InDesign or Photoshop. The more relevant experience you flaunt, the better your chances at catching our eye!
Show Us Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see that you can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, mention your adaptability and your willingness to tackle various tasks or changes in workflow. This kind of attitude is gold in the fast-paced publishing world.
Make It Personal and Engaging:Your cover letter is your chance to connect with us at Penguin Random House UK—don't hold back! Share why you're passionate about publishing-media and what excites you about joining our team. A personal touch goes a long way in making your application memorable.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Random House UK
✨Know Your Digital Tools
In the publishing-media world, being savvy with digital tools like InDesign, Photoshop, and content management systems can really set you apart. We should brush up on our skills with these tools, as many interviewers might throw in some technical questions or scenario-based tasks to see how you’d handle real projects.
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Since we're looking at a temporary role, it’s crucial to demonstrate that you can hit the ground running. Make sure your portfolio is up to date with a variety of your best work! Talk us through your projects, highlighting your involvement and the impact of your contributions.
✨Be Ready for Creative Discussions
Interviews in publishing-media often dive deep into creative discussions. We should be prepared to chat about our favourite pieces of media, current trends, or even pitches for new ideas. This is our time to shine and show our enthusiasm for the industry!
✨Flexibility is Key
Temporary roles can sometimes involve ever-changing tasks and priorities. Let’s showcase our adaptability by sharing examples of times we’ve successfully handled last-minute changes or embraced new challenges. This will show them we’re not just committed but also capable of thriving in a dynamic environment!
