Introduction to the role

An opportunity has arisen to join the publicity team within HQ, Mills & Boon and Pavilion, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, to work on innovative campaigns for some of the leading names in commercial fiction and non-fiction.

Specialising in commercial fiction, non-fiction and innovative digital publishing, HQ is young, ambitious, and award-winning.  HQ prides itself on publishing books that are bold, brave, inclusive, and always with a compelling story to tell.

HQ Fiction is proud to publish Sunday Times bestselling brand authors such as Adele Parks, Linwood Barclay, Sarah Morgan, Erica James and Carrie Hope Fletcher. Debut novels published by HQ, such as The Family Tree by Sairish Hussain and This Lovely City by Louise Hare, have been shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the RSL Ondaatje Prize.

HQ Non-Fiction publishes the Sunday Times bestselling BOSH!, The Batch Lady and The Prison Doctor books, as well as June Sarpong’s award-winning books on Diversity and Inclusion, and Caroline Hirons’ record-breaking and industry-leading Skincare books. In 2022, HQ published Joe Wicks’ Feel Good Food which was industry Number 1 for two weeks.

Sweeping women off their feet for over 100 years, Mills & Boon is the UKs #1 publisher of romantic fiction and won the RNA Industry Award for Publisher of the Year 2020. In the UK a Mills & Boon novel is sold once every ten seconds. Mills & Boon publishes Georgia Toffolo’s Sunday Times bestselling novels, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York’s Sunday Times bestselling historical romance and this summer will publish the debut novel by Love Island winner Amber Rose Gill.

Pavilion Books specialises in illustrated non-fiction and its authors include James May, Ravneet Gill, Oz Clarke and Gennaro Contaldo. Since the imprint was founded in 1981, the list has been defined by award-winning authors and brands, successful collaborations, distinctive design, well-researched content and uncompromising production values. The imprint’s main subject areas are food and drink, crafts, interiors, gardening, health, gift and nostalgia.

Key Accountabilities

• Plan and implement PR campaigns for books across our imprints (HQ, Mills & Boon and Pavilion)

• Develop innovative publicity campaigns in line with key objectives across individual titles or brand authors, on brief and within budget

• Work closely with the Editorial, Marketing and Sales teams to ensure publicity opportunities are fully maximised and communicated across the Division

• Deliver high levels of author care, presenting and communicating publicity campaigns to external stakeholders including authors, agents and managers.

• Generate and foster review and feature coverage across relevant media, including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, online and social media

• Plan and execute author events and tours to raise author profile and generate sales

• Maintain, develop and grow relationships with key journalists, producers, event managers and new media contacts across all channels

• Stay in tune with trends and news within fiction and non-fiction publishing, to maintain an awareness of the market.

Experience required

• Experience of working on publicity campaigns either individually or as part of a team

• Experience or knowledge of working within a publishing house

• Track record of providing high levels of stakeholder communications and care

• Excellent experience or knowledge of different media opportunities across print, broadcast and online

• Experience or knowledge of live or digital author events

Skills required

• Excellent communication and people skills at all levels

• Fantastic organisation, multi-tasking and prioritisation skills

• A team player who will thrive as part of a collaborative and dynamic publicity team

• Ability to be creative and innovative

• Determined with a solutions mindset 

• A motivated and proactive self-starter

• A ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to remain calm under pressure

• A genuine passion for commercial fiction and non-fiction books

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office)

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)

• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal

• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers

• Gym membership discount

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only)

• Charitable donation matching and volunteering day

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

• Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

• Onsite prayer room

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Senior 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.