The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a publishing assistant to join our small publishing department to provide key editorial and production support with our publications.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Publishing Assistant will be responsible for supporting the timely delivery of publications by assisting with the editorial processes for book publications and the Journal of the British Academy.

Your role will involve building excellent working relationships with authors, editors, and key stakeholders, and managing time effectively while undertaking day-to-day publishing administration. You will manage proposal submissions, organise peer review, and keep publications moving by tracking deadlines and chasing updates where needed. You’ll be in regular contact with academics and colleagues, so being clear, professional, and approachable in your communication is key.

This role would suit someone who is early in their publishing career or looking to move into academic publishing, who enjoys working with people and managing processes. A demonstratable interest in the Humanities and Social Sciences is essential. Previous experience in publishing is beneficial but not required.

The ideal candidate will be highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively. You will have excellent attention to detail and strong written communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with a range of stakeholders. You will be comfortable working independently, and able to confidently use your initiative to anticipate issues and find solutions.

You will work with three other members of the Publishing team as well as liaising with colleagues in the Communications Directorate and the Academy’s Publishing and Conferences Committee.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Book publications – editorial submissions and peer review

• Source suitable academic reviewers to assess book proposals.

• Source suitable academic readers for manuscripts.

• Prepare paperwork relating to readers reports and proposal assessments for the Publishing Committee.

• Identify late manuscripts or assessments, or those due for submission, and proactively contacting authors/reviewers for schedule updates.

• Develop and maintain regular communication with authors.

• Prepare and despatch contracts to accepted book authors, ensuring contracts are signed prior to publication and electronically filed.

• Provide the Publishing Manager with final manuscript files for production, ensuring all necessary documents have been received.

• Provide the Publishing Manager with current submission date estimates at key points in the year.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date recordkeeping of the above processes utilising the Publishing Department’s tracking system.

2. Journal of the British Academy – editorial submissions and peer review

• Check eligibility for authors submitting content to the Journal.

• Source suitable academic reviewers to assess Journal articles.

• Identify late articles or assessments, or those due for submission, and proactively contacting authors/reviewers for schedule updates.

• Develop and maintain regular communication with all authors.

• Prepare and provide the Journal Editor, Journal & Books, with a monthly status report.

• Prepare and despatch contracts to authors of accepted articles, ensuring contracts are signed prior to publication and electronically filed.

• Provide the Publishing Editor, Journal & Books, with final article files for production, ensuring all necessary documents have been received.

3. Other titles

• Oversee content and following up on outstanding manuscripts using the Academy’s tracking system.

4. Administrative responsibilities and stakeholder engagement

• Arrange hybrid/remote and in-person meetings for the Journal’s Editorial Board, for the Journal Editors meetings, and for Publishing Committee meetings.

• When required, assist with book launches, the Academy’s Ideas Festival, and other events as they may arise; occasional evening work may be required.

Key Stakeholders

Internal

Publishing Manager; Publishing team, wider Communications Directorate

External 

Fellows, Authors, Editors, external academic reviewers

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Communicates clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders

• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

• Takes a collaborative, respectful, and open approach to working with others

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

• Excellent attention to detail and written communication skills

• Ability to work independently and use initiative

• Holds an interest in the Humanities and Social Sciences

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Prioritises effectively to meet deadlines

• Anticipates issues and escalates appropriately

• Takes a solution‑focused and methodical approach to problems

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Ability to analyse and solve problems, knowing when and how to escalate

• Focuses on solutions

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. copied from ChatGPT, will be identified by the hiring team and may not progress to the next stage.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 17 July 2026, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for w/c 4 August 2026 but this may be subject to change.