Editor in London

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.

Picador is the literary imprint at Pan Macmillan and what defines a Picador book is the author’s voice: we believe the way a story is told is just as important as the story itself. We are home to prize-winning, internationally renowned writers and we are the proud publisher of many bestselling titles. Picador has an extraordinary and award-winning list of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry: over our fifty-year history we have published some of the finest writers and thinkers of our times.

Your role

In this wide-ranging role you will be a key member of the team. You need to have excellent knowledge and experience of every stage of the publishing cycle, from acquisition to publication and beyond, and experience of taking full responsibility for a range of non-fiction projects. You will be working with a number of existing Picador authors, and will be able to demonstrate the ability to form strong relationships with authors and agents, and have edited a range of serious non-fiction projects. An interest in popular science is desirable. We are looking for someone who is thorough, resourceful and organised, who can multitask and meet deadlines, and who is a very keen reader of a wide range of non-fiction and highly engaged with our current world.

Your key responsibilities

• Guide a wide range of books through the editorial process, from reading and assessing manuscripts for possible publication and drafting cover copy to preparing information for the Sales and Communications teams and pitching and presenting books to colleagues.
• Acquire two or three non-fiction titles per year.
• Coordinate multiple book projects at various stages of production, ensuring each title for which you have responsibility moves smoothly towards publication.
• Clear permissions for both text and images to ensure all content is correctly and legally sourced and documented.
• Coordinate effectively with international publishers to support the global reach of our titles.
• Manage the distribution of books and proofs to authors and key stakeholders, acting as a supportive point of contact for their queries and schedules.
• Maintain accuracy within Biblio (our central bibliographic system) and facilitate the approval of contracts and author payments.
• Work with the editorial assistant to field external enquiries and serve as a reliable point of contact for colleagues across the business regarding the publishing schedule.
• Read and provide thoughtful and market-aware reports on incoming manuscripts, helping the Publishing Director and Senior Commissioning Editor, as well as the wider editorial team, identify projects that align with the Picador list.
• Stay informed by reading a wide range of contemporary non-fiction (and fiction) beyond our own list to maintain a strong awareness of the market.

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

• Proven experience working within trade publishing at Assistant Editor or Editor level, with a deep understanding of the commercial market and book lifecycle.
• Demonstrable experience in commissioning, having successfully acquired at least two non-fiction titles and seen at least one through to publication.
• Effective organisational skills with a proven ability to prioritise tasks and manage a varied and unpredictable workflow effectively.
• A demonstrable passion for books and the publishing industry, particularly for Picador’s non-fiction list.
• Proven editing, proof-reading and copywriting skills; ability to review and assess proposals and manuscripts for quality, clarity and tone.
• Effective written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably, sensitively and professionally.
• Ability to negotiate deals and contracts, as well as pitch ideas and projects effectively both internally and externally.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to adapt to changing business needs while maintaining high standards of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, Canva and Biblio.
• An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
• A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

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.

Salary £35,000 - £38,000. The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.

Closing date 12 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.

Benefits 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service.