Publishing 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.

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join Macmillan Collector’s Library (MCL) and the Picador Collection as Publishing Director. You will lead a highly successful classics imprint with a mix of creativity, commercial acumen, and publishing experience together with a strong knowledge of and enthusiasm for classic literature. You will also run Picador Collection, Picador's modern classics list.

Your team consists of a small, dynamic editorial team working creatively and collaboratively on a full and varied publishing programme. You will also work with a designated MCL publishing team drawn from across the Pan Macmillan business. Everyone has a shared mission to publish classic literature that is accessible to all, beautifully packaged, and relevant to our lives today.

You will be responsible for collaborating with the communications, sales and Picador editorial teams on the Picador Collection and thinking of new ways to bring our modern classics to new readers as well as adding to the Picador Collection with careful new commissions.

Your role involves reporting into the Picador Publisher, as Publishing Director of MCL and the Picador Collection you will be instrumental in driving UK and international growth. Together with the MCL editorial team, you will create an innovative frontlist publishing programme by drawing on classic works published to appeal to contemporary audiences and capitalising on trends and opportunities. You will maintain MCL’s extensive backlist, ensuring commercial and market share growth and success. You will champion and represent the imprint both internally and externally. In addition, you will work with Picador communications, sales, and editorial colleagues to drive greater market share for the Picador Collection paperback imprint and bring new modern authors to the list.

Your key responsibilities:

• Strategic leadership: Develop and implement a publishing strategy for the imprint to achieve long‑term growth and commercial success.
• Financial management: Oversee budget management and profitability through strategic planning and execution, ensuring the imprint meets its P&L targets.
• List and backlist management: Commission and publish across a wide range of genres and formats, while managing MCL’s extensive backlist to increase sales and maintain a competitive edge.
• Relationship building: Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with anthologists, agents, translators, academics, and industry contacts.
• Team management: Directly manage the MCL editorial team, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high‑performing environment that encourages creative and commercial thinking.
• Internal collaboration: Work closely with colleagues across Pan Macmillan, including a designated MCL cross‑functional team, to ensure books are published, promoted, and sold effectively.
• Global market development: Form strong relationships with international sister companies to maximise sales and publishing opportunities in their territories.
• Market awareness: Champion a culture of consumer awareness and understanding of the classics market within the wider MCL team, using up‑to‑date knowledge to inform publishing decisions.
• Picador Collection oversight: Maintain and grow the Picador Collection paperback list, working closely with communications and sales teams to promote the list and bring a select number of new writers to the imprint.

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

• Publishing expertise: Extensive experience in book publishing, with a deep understanding of consumer audiences and current trends, both in the UK and internationally.
• Commissioning and growth track record: Proven experience in commissioning, editing, and publishing, with a demonstrated ability to create and implement strategic plans that drive growth and align with business goals.
• Literary knowledge: Wide knowledge of and enthusiasm for classic authors, classic books, and content from around the world.
• Negotiation skills: Confidence and skill in negotiating commercial deals and contracts with agents, authors, and external partners.
• People management: Proven experience managing teams, preferably within an editorial function, with the ability to guide teams toward shared objectives while fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment.
• Communication and collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and global offices, sharing information clearly and accessibly.
• Inclusion and representation: Active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
• Community: Collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• Curiosity: Strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• Integrity: Foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

Benefits:

• 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)
• 2 Volunteer Days per year
• 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

Closing date: 4 August 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.

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 are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.

Disability confident scheme: As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long‑term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under the ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section.