Editor, Children’s (Puffin)

About the team

We publish some of the biggest names in picture books from iconic classic brands such as The World of Peter Rabbit, Spot and The Very Hungry Caterpillar and bestselling heritage creators including Allan Ahlberg, Anthony Browne and Shirley Hughes, to major new talent including Tom Fletcher, Nadia Shireen, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Nathan Bryon, and Dapo Adeola. We are passionate about bringing stories to life that change and shape lives.

The role

As an Editor at Puffin, you’ll work with a broad range of classic brands and heritage authors, as well as contemporary classics of the future. This is a great opportunity to join a large, creative, commercial team and there will be collaborative support to develop your editorial skills on the job. For the right candidate, there may be the opportunity eventually to commission, working alongside and being supported by the editorial team.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaboratively working on the in‑house process for specific books, including scheduling, running costings, compiling metadata, jacket and cover copy.
• Working closely with authors, estates and brand owners on existing projects at different stages of publication.
• Editing manuscripts for a select number of titles.
• Liaising with in‑house teams, authors and agents.
• Presenting titles at internal meetings.
• Contributing to the publishing vision by inputting ideas for your books, including format, binding, design, price, and promotional campaigns.
• Working collaboratively with the team to identify new talent for the list and bring exciting new project ideas to meetings.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone with demonstrable editorial experience and solid market knowledge in children’s publishing. You might currently be an Assistant Editor looking for your next challenge, or an Editor wanting hands‑on experience on a different type of list and exposure to household brands and names.

Essential criteria:

• Proven skills in editing and working with authors and agents.
• Solid market knowledge and demonstrable interest in children’s publishing.
• Excellent communication skills and understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities.
• Initiative, creative motivation, and a proactive nature.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise, multitask and work under pressure.

Preferred criteria:

• Engaged with popular culture, well‑informed of current trends, and design awareness.
• Team player with interpersonal sensitivity.

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 PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

Salary

Circa £33,000 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 the London‑embassy gardens office 3 days a week.

Benefits

• Income Protection
• Health assessment
• Gym flex
• Life event leave
• Dental insurance
• Cycle scheme