Editorial Director, Voyager
HarperCollins Publishers
- Closing: 11:55pm, 12th Jan 2025 GMT
Perks and benefits
Work from home option
Healthcare
Retirement benefits
Wellness programs
Employee Assistance Programme
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Extra holiday
Professional development
Mentoring/coaching
Paid volunteer days
Flexible benefits scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Candidate happiness
8.65 (27140)
8.65 (27140)
Job Description
If this sounds like you, please apply with a CV and cover letter in the same document.
Introduction to the role
HarperVoyager, HarperCollins’ hugely successful and growing SFF imprint, are looking to appoint an Editorial Director. The role will have specific responsibility for driving the commissioning strategy and editorial acquisitions for HarperVoyager, as well as hands-on management of an existing roster of Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning authors. The Editorial Director will build and manage a list of popular and bestselling authors, taking their books from pitch to publication and beyond.
HarperVoyager and Magpie Books is proud to lead the Science Fiction and Fantasy markets and is looking for an editorial director who wants to set the new trends as well as honouring the heritage of the imprint. We don’t look for the bestsellers of today, we look for the bestsellers of the future.
Being a senior part of the team is a key element of the role, working alongside colleagues in the immediate team as well as the wider publishing division. Building strong relationships across departments will be crucial, ensuring that this busy list continues to deliver the excellent results it is renowned for.
About HarperVoyager
HarperVoyager is the Science Fiction and Fantasy imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and in 2023 was awarded Imprint of the Year at the British Book Awards, with Publisher Natasha Bardon crowned Editor of the year and Babel by R.F. Kuang becoming the Fiction Book of the Year.
Voyager publishes some of the biggest names in the genre, such as George R.R. Martin, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Robin Hobb, Jay Kristoff, R.F. Kuang, Sue Lynn Tan and Shannon Chakraborty. Magpie Books is a new YA fiction imprint which launched in January 2023 and includes YA fantasy, science fiction, speculative romance and horror.
Key tasks and accountabilities
Steer editorial strategy for their areas at all times and deliver creative, innovative publishing that is commercially successful and contributes strongly to the division’s growth targets
Identify market trends and publishing opportunities, feeding these into the acquisition strategy for the list
Superb author care: day-to-day responsibility as editor for a wide range of authors, including some of the most significant authors on the list, taking their books from pitch to publication and driving strategy for their publishing as well as delivering editorial vision, hands-on editing and regular publishing updates
Use agent and scout contacts to attract the best new submissions and talent to the list, looking for bestsellers of the future and ensuring HC sees all the biggest new books
Oversee timely and cost-conscious publishing management of their list, working with Production and Pub Ops to ensure titles run to Critical Path
Review, develop, maintain and deliver profitable publishing plans in line with divisional targets, setting and maintaining publishing schedules and responding to changing market needs as appropriate
Ensure best-in-class publishing across the list and the very best care of their own stable of authors.
Work closely with the senior team to maximise all opportunities afforded by world rights including Rights, Audio and Harper 360
Core responsibilities
Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated acquisitions strategy for own and broader titles across all formats including digital and audio
Develop and execute best-in-class publishing strategies for authors
Develop long-term relations with authors and agents
Contribute fully to sales, marketing and plans, ensuring strong and effective involvement of the Sales and Marketing teams in title, brand and author development
Contribute positively to sales, marketing and publicity plans through informed market knowledge
Plan and schedule effectively to maximise efficiency across the list
Manage one direct report
Ensure all titles across the list are running to critical path
Support the Publisher with key strategic growth plans
Experience / skills required
Track record of publishing bestsellers within the genre
An innovative and creative approach to publishing
Strong understanding of the publishing process and relationship management
Experience in a senior commissioning role
Strong financial/commercial awareness, including analysing sales data and market trends
Excellent communication skills
A network of strong agent, rights director and scout contacts in the UK and US
Track record of excellent author management and relationships
Benefits
Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
28 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
Summer Hours
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
Relocation Rent Support Loan
Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
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 2 volunteering days
We're a certified Carbon Neutral company
Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)
With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire
Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
Onsite prayer room
The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit https://www.btbs.org/
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to stephanie.jemmett@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.
Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.
Removing bias from the hiring process
Removing bias from the hiring process
- Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
- You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review