Commissioning Editor – Science Fiction & Fantasy, Viking Fiction

Do you love discovering extraordinary new worlds, unforgettable characters and stories that make the impossible feel real? Are you excited by the creativity and possibility in today’s science fiction and fantasy publishing? We are looking for an innovative and ambitious Commissioning Editor to join Viking Fiction, with a particular focus on acquiring and publishing science fiction and fantasy. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of SFF at Viking, finding distinctive new voices, building lasting author careers and publishing brilliantly for a growing and passionate community of readers.

About Viking Fiction

Viking is home to some of today’s most exciting, bestselling and prize-winning writers. We pride ourselves on our ability to launch careers and take established authors to new heights, combining critical success with commercial ambition. Our fiction list is deliberately broad: we believe exceptional storytelling can take many forms, and we are always looking for books with the originality, purpose and irresistible appeal to capture readers' imaginations. Science fiction and fantasy is an important part of that vision. We want to build a list that reflects the breadth of the genre – from epic and romantic fantasy to speculative, crossover and high-concept fiction – publishing books that speak to established SFF readers while also having the potential to reach far beyond them. We value curiosity and are looking for people who notice the world, ask questions and bring fresh perspectives to what we do. If you’re endlessly curious and love discovering and sharing new ideas, you’ll feel at home here.

The opportunity

You will join an ambitious, creative and collaborative editorial team and take a leading role in developing Viking's SFF publishing. You will be encouraged to bring your own taste, ideas and perspective to the list, identifying areas of opportunity, seeking out exceptional writers and thinking imaginatively about where the genre – and its readership – might go next. Reporting to the Publisher you will:

• Acquire, edit and publish an exciting list of science fiction and fantasy, from brilliant debuts to established authors
• Proactively seek out new voices, ideas and publishing opportunities, including IP, rather than simply following existing trends
• Develop a clear understanding of audiences and communities within SFF and use that knowledge to inform your acquisitions and publishing
• Build strong, trusted relationships with authors and agents in the UK and internationally
• Work closely with colleagues across Sales, Marketing, Publicity, Rights and Design to develop strategies for your books
• Create compelling publishing visions, from positioning, covers and copy through to campaigns that connect your books with their readers
• Generate excitement for your authors and acquisitions, both within Penguin Random House and across the wider publishing community
• Contribute ideas, energy and expertise to the broader Viking Fiction list and our collective success

What you'll bring

Above all, we are looking for someone with great taste, curiosity and enthusiasm for SFF – someone who understands why its readers care so deeply about the genre and is excited about its growth.

• A strong knowledge of contemporary science fiction and fantasy publishing, its audiences and emerging trends
• A clear and distinctive editorial taste, alongside the ability to think strategically and commercially about the books you acquire
• Editorial experience and the ability to work creatively with authors to make their books the very best they can be
• An entrepreneurial approach to acquisition: inquisitive, well connected and always looking for new voices and opportunities
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to make convincing verbal pitches, write persuasive copy and articulate a compelling publishing vision
• A flair for positioning and packaging books, and an understanding of how these can help a book find its audience
• The ability to build warm and productive relationships with authors and agents and provide exceptional author care
• A collaborative approach and the ability to bring colleagues with you, working effectively across departments
• Strong organisation, judgement and attention to detail, with the ability to manage several projects and priorities at once

This could be an excellent next step for an Editor looking to move into commissioning, or for an existing Commissioning Editor who wants the opportunity to make a real mark on an ambitious and evolving list.

Circa £35,000 - £40,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Use of AI tools

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Disability Confident

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 [emailprotected]. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

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 be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week.