At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage end-to-end book production for exciting titles and special editions.
- Company: Join Pan Macmillan, a leading UK book publisher with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal growth and learning.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that brings stories to life and shapes the future of publishing.
- Qualifications: Experience in book production and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 43000 £ per year.
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.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly skilled, organized, and collaborative Senior Production Controller to join our busy Adult Production team. In this role, you will manage a high volume of mono titles from start to finish, with the opportunity to work on bespoke, high-spec projects and exclusive editions for our renowned Tor and Pan imprints. This is a 12-month, fixed-term contract to cover parental leave within the team.
Your team: The Pan Macmillan production department is an expert, efficient, and collaborative team who play an essential role in bringing our books to life. We make books of all types for every area of the market. We pride ourselves on a supportive environment where we work closely with our colleagues in Editorial, Art, Operations, and Sales to ensure every book is produced to the highest standards, on time, and within budget.
Your role: Reporting to the Production Manager, you will play a critical role within the Adult production team. In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will manage projects from initial acquisition to final completion. You will work fluidly across our varied adult lists, driving the production of complex, multi‑edition projects with particular focus on our flagship Tor list.
Your key responsibilities:
- End‑to‑end production management: Manage the production process for a diverse range of adult titles, ensuring every book, from standard mono to high‑spec special editions, meets Pan Macmillan’s quality standards.
- Manufacturing oversight: Order and monitor printings from initial confirmation through to final delivery, acting as a primary point of contact for external suppliers to ensure a seamless supply chain.
- Financial stewardship: Produce accurate costings at every stage of the critical path to support informed business decisions and maintain healthy project margins.
- Commercial negotiation: Proactively negotiate schedules, specifications, and pricing with external suppliers to secure the best value without compromising on quality or deadlines.
- Data integrity: Manage and update Biblio and other internal systems to ensure product records, schedules, and approvals are accurate and accessible to the wider business.
- Cross‑departmental collaboration: Partner closely with the Editorial, Art, Operations, and Sales teams to align production schedules with marketing beats, retail requirements, and core process improvements.
Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:
- Book production expertise: Proven experience in book production (ideally within trade publishing), with a practical understanding of mono manufacturing and advanced knowledge of book specifications.
- Technical literacy: A comprehensive working knowledge of typesetting, repro, e‑books, and print processes, alongside proficiency in industry‑standard software (such as Biblio and Adobe Acrobat).
- Commercial & financial awareness: A high level of numeracy with the ability to produce accurate costings, negotiate competitive pricing with suppliers, and manage invoices precisely.
- Project management & prioritisation: Excellent organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to manage a complex workload and maintain schedules across multiple high‑priority titles.
- Collaboration & communication: Clear, persuasive written and spoken communication skills, with a natural ability to build positive relationships with both internal stakeholders and external global suppliers.
- 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:
- Special‑edition management: A proven understanding of the exclusive edition market, including the technical requirements for managing tip‑ins, special finishes, and bespoke customer materials.
- Innovation mindset: A proactive interest in how emerging technologies and AI tools, such as Gemini, can be harnessed to improve process efficiencies and creative problem‑solving.
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 range: £40,000 to £43,000. Note on salary: 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: 7 June 2026.
Some of the benefits we offer:
- 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
- Discounted private medical insurance
- 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
This is a 12-month fixed‑term contract, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices.
Senior Production Lead – End-to-End Book Production employer: Rowohlt Verlag GmbH
Pan Macmillan UK is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide numerous benefits including flexible working hours, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional development, all while working on exciting projects that bring diverse voices to life in the publishing industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Production Lead – End-to-End Book Production
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the publishing industry, especially those at Pan Macmillan. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of past projects or examples of your work, bring them along to interviews. This is your chance to demonstrate your book production expertise and how you can manage complex projects like a champ.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about collaboration! Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you’ve successfully partnered with others. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve built positive relationships in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Pan Macmillan family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Production Lead – End-to-End Book Production
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Production Lead role. Highlight your book production expertise and any relevant experience that aligns with our needs at Pan Macmillan.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work to show how you’ve managed complex projects or negotiated with suppliers successfully.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and free of jargon. This will help us see your communication skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rowohlt Verlag GmbH
✨Know Your Books Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Pan Macmillan's imprints and recent titles. Familiarise yourself with their production processes and any unique projects they've undertaken. This will not only show your passion for the role but also help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex book production projects in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities, especially when it comes to meeting deadlines and maintaining quality standards.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial stewardship is key in this role, prepare to talk about your experience with costings and negotiations. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or negotiated with suppliers to secure the best value without compromising quality.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Pan Macmillan values teamwork, so be sure to illustrate your collaborative approach. Share stories that highlight your ability to build positive relationships with internal teams and external suppliers, showcasing your clear communication skills and how they’ve contributed to successful project outcomes.
