Publicity Assistant – Temporary 12-month Fixed Term Contract – Usborne

Responsible to: Head of Publicity

Location: London – office based

Salary: £31,041

The Company

Usborne is an independent, family business, creating books which spark curiosity in children of all ages. These range from books for babies such as the bestselling THAT’S NOT MY® series of touchy-feely books, to YA fiction from acclaimed authors such as Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Ravena Guron – with everything from Sticker Dolly Dressing to Philosophy for Beginners in between. Whilst the company is now a market-leader in children’s publishing and one of the best-known brands in children’s books globally, the company retains a friendly and familial feel.

The Department

The UK Marketing and Publicity department is a close-working and collaborative team of 10 who create innovative and award-winning marketing and publicity campaigns. The publicity team maintain and develop the reputation of the Usborne brand, publicising and promoting Usborne books, series, sub-brands and authors, with the overall aim of increasing sales.

The Role

We are looking for an organised, reliable and outgoing individual to join us as a Publicity Assistant on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This entry-level role is ideal for someone eager to begin a career in PR within children’s publishing. Working at the heart of the publicity team, you will provide essential administrative support to keep our day-to-day operations running smoothly, while helping to promote Usborne’s high-profile list of fiction, non-fiction and baby and pre-school titles, along with our multi award-winning brands and authors. Reporting to the Head of Publicity, you will be part of a supportive, creative department where everyone’s ideas are welcome and valued.

Key Responsibilities

• To maintain a range of PR systems, from our contacts database to our media monitoring to our awards submissions, and to coordinate mailings to media, booksellers, content creators, and industry contacts.
• Coordinate regular awards submissions, sending sample copies to judges and assets for shortlist promotions. Communicate longlist, shortlist and wins externally and internally.
• Booking all author and Publicity staff travel and accommodation for one-off events, award ceremonies, book tours and book festivals and conferences.
• Compiling schedules for these and updating and circulating the Events Diary.
• To create and provide regular publicity communications, including seasonal press releases, pitch presentations, newsletters and internal updates.
• Processing purchasing orders and invoices and submitting monthly expenses, adding to budget tracker.
• Responding to ad hoc press office queries, emailing follow-up assets and posting out books.

Key Skills, Characteristics and Capabilities

• Excellent organisation and time management skills, and the ability to constantly prioritise in a busy and sometimes pressurised environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a keen eye for detail and creative flair.
• Existing strong interpersonal skills and confidence to build and maintain relationships with internal colleagues (including those from outside of your immediate department), booksellers, librarians, content creators, other key contacts and above all our authors.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Good understanding of traditional and digital media including social media.
• Flexibility to travel and work outside of normal office hours when necessary (including overnight stays, evening and weekend work).
• Trustworthy and reliable, friendly and outgoing.
• A genuine desire to work in PR within children’s publishing.
• Lots of enthusiasm.

Desirable but not essential

• MA in Publishing.
• Basic design skills.

Location and Benefits

This role is based in our London, Farringdon office and we work a 35-hour working week. After a successful initial induction period (where we require new staff to work in the office for 4-5 days per week) we then operate a hybrid working model of 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home subject to business need, which optimises our opportunities for creative collaboration and contact with our colleagues.

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement.
• Industry-leading Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders.
• Healthcare Cashback scheme.
• Virtual GP service.
• Enhanced Family Friendly benefits.
• Paid Volunteer Day.
• Rewards and Discount services and shopping.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• 75% discount on Usborne books.

Recruitment Process

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and therefore applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK at the point of application. Due to the Christmas period we will have a longer application period than usual, therefore we may not commence shortlisting candidates until early January 2026. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the application and/or recruitment process. Usborne is dedicated to building a diverse taskforce that reflects the wide range of communities that read our books globally. Decisions are made based on the individual’s skills and experiences and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics in Publishing.

AI notice

The use of AI has become more prevalent in recruitment application answers and content and whilst AI is undoubtedly a useful tool, we need to see that you’re able to demonstrate your ability to originate ideas and write them in a compelling manner, not just generate them using a tool. Therefore, any suspected AI usage may result in your application being rejected.

How to apply

To apply please access our recruitment portal.