Editorial Director

Pan Macmillan UK is one of the largest general book publishers in the UK, with imprints including Macmillan, Mantle, Pan, Picador, Boxtree, Sidgwick & Jackson, Bello, Tor, Kingfisher, Macmillan Children’s Books, Two Hoots, Bluebird, Campbell Books, Macmillan New Writing and Macmillan Digital Audio. Pan Macmillan is part of Macmillan Publishers International Limited. Join our award-winning MCB and First Ink publishing team!

Your role: As Editorial Director, your primary responsibilities will revolve around managing our YA/crossover imprint First Ink; strategically growing the list, monitoring trends, acquiring competitively and championing your books from idea to launch. You will work collaboratively with authors, agents and internal teams to ensure the First Ink list reaches its full commercial potential and resonates with our readers.

Your key responsibilities:

• Competitively building the First Ink & MCB fiction lists: Identify and acquire new books for publication, working closely with authors, agents and external partners to grow our middle-grade and YA list, including managing high-level auctions.
• Publish existing titles: Manage and support our existing book lists to ensure ongoing commercial success across global markets.
• Manage editorial stages: Edit your assigned titles at every single stage of production, from the initial structural layout down to the detailed line edit.
• Monitor market trends: Research and track industry trends to help inform our future book acquisitions and overall publishing strategies.
• Negotiate deals and contract terms: Draft, negotiate and complete contract terms for new book acquisitions.
• Cross-functional teamwork: Partner closely with design, production, sales, rights and communications teams to successfully launch and promote our books.
• Line management: Act as a direct line manager for assigned team members. You will be responsible for their day-to-day guidance, setting their individual goals, and helping them maximize their performance.

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

• Children’s and YA expertise: Significant experience working within the publishing industry, and a genuine passion for children’s and YA literature, particularly for MCB and First Ink’s lists.
• Competitive negotiation skills: Proven success in managing high-level auctions and competitive negotiations.
• Commercial trend spotting: A commercially minded approach with a proven ability to identify, track and react to market trends.
• Advanced editing skills: Proven experience completing structural edits, developmental edits and line edits to a high standard, alongside experience adapting or editing US-originated books.
• Project management oversight: The ability to plan, track and manage complex publishing projects effectively from start to finish, and a proven ability to organize, prioritize and manage your workload to meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Clear communication style: Effective spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably and professionally.
• Publishing network connections: Established professional relationships with literary agents and a wide network within the broader publishing community.
• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
• Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Google Workspace and Biblio.
• Mentorship & leadership: Previous experience in a line-management role within a creative team.

What you’ll get in return: In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Closing date: 17 July 2026. This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion: At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level.

We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Adjustment & support: We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.