Collins has been publishing educational and informative books for almost 200 years. Throughout this rich heritage we have maintained an impressive record in creating market-leading products across various sectors. Our publishing for schools continues to deliver up-to-date and engaging student resources and exceptional teacher support to help schools tackle new initiatives and utilise the latest technology.

The Product Developer or Product Manager will be a commissioning lead, who is confident and competent in scoping market-focused products, contracting and commissioning authors, and then managing them to deliver.  You will identify and manage preferred/key authors, and ensure an excellent level of author care. You are adept at developing content - print or digital - and project managing products with total autonomy through to delivery.  This role will be accountable for the editorial quality of the finished product, and for delivering it on time and to the agreed budget. 

Key Accountabilities

• Work with a Senior Product Developer and Publisher to capture requirements for new products.

• Speaks to teachers or key customers as necessary to refine the proposition

• Produce product development specifications along with the author brief, alongside commissioning the author.

• Works up detailed costs and schedules for each product proposal and presents for sign off.

• Responsible for excellent level of author care.

• Works with the author to produce the final manuscript, working alongside specialist editors/copy-editors. 

• Oversee copy editorial work and project managing through the design stages to completion

• Resolves editorial queries on manuscripts and proofs.

• Work with our designers to produce proofs.

• Work with our design, sales, marketing and publisher teams to produce drafts and final covers.

• Ensures the project stays on on schedule and that tasks are completed on or below budget and to a high standard.

Experience Required

• Editorial experience in educational publishing

• Relevant commissioning and product development experience

• Project management across a number of simultaneous products, print and digital

• Experienced in working with teams of authors and freelancers

Skills / Competencies

• Unswerving attention to detail – in products and in planning

• Excellent organisation, time and resource management with realistic goals

• Proactive in trouble-shooting and solving problems

• Questioning/analytical approach – suggestions to improve process/products

• Flexibility – ability to juggle high workload and prioritise

• Proactive and innovative

• Confident with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Recruitment Manager at Kally.simmonds@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.