Introduction to the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the multi-award-winning Audio team at HarperCollins. We are looking for a creative and conscientious audiobook fan to help deliver the ambitious audio publishing programme for some of our biggest commercial adult publishing lists.

As Audio Editor you will work closely with the Audio Publishing Director, casting your audiobook projects with the best acting talent and working with studio partners so that projects are produced to the highest quality, on time and to budget. You will be a strong team player, highly organised and proactive in your approach, and you will deliver excellent author care. Please note that this is not a hands-on studio production role.

This is a varied role working across a range of commercial fiction and non-fiction, delivering on our Total Audio commitment (uniquely among UK publishers, HarperCollins is committed to releasing an audiobook edition of every narrative print book we publish, on the same publication date as the title’s other formats). You will have sole responsibility for the commercial fiction lists of innovative and award-winning divisions One More Chapter and Avon.

You will also support the Audio Publishing Director on a range of projects across HarperFiction, HarperNonFiction, HarperNorth and HarperIreland. Recent publications on these lists include Bella Mackie’s How to Kill Your Family; Abigail Dean’s Girl A; Juno Dawson’s Her Majesty’s Royal Coven; J.M. Hall’s A Spoonful of Murder; and Jay Shetty’s Think Like a Monk (winner of Audiobook of the Year at the British Book Awards 2021).

This is the perfect opportunity for an audiophile who loves books to work across an exciting range of publishing in the fastest-growing area of the industry.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Works closely with the Audio Publishing Director to champion audio among divisional colleagues with the aim of delivering best-in-class audio

• Casts productions with creativity and authenticity, keeping up to date with new and existing voice talent

• Manages the critical path, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure all titles are cast, scripts assigned, and audio delivered on time and to budget

• Works closely with in-house colleagues on all aspects of publishing – including acquisitions, pitches, marketing, publicity, sales and production – to ensure smooth running of the audio schedule

• Prepares scripts for audio production

• Delivers excellent author care on every project

Experience required

• Your love of audio is only rivalled by your love of books – and with the latter, you’re a big fan of commercial fiction and non-fiction

• You have knowledge of the audiobook market and experience working in the audio industry – this can include audio publishing, podcasting, radio, or other areas of the audio industry

• You have experience in dealing with literary and/or theatrical agents and booking talent

• You know how to work with studios and producers to bring audiobooks to life with innovative and exciting production techniques

Skills required

• Highly organised with great time management skills, and able to work effectively on multiple projects at once

• Ability to work creatively to specific briefs

• Collaborative team player who can work with many internal and external stakeholders

• Attention to detail and ability to apply this to the close reading and preparation of manuscripts, precise casting briefs, and intricate productions

• Commercial acumen – particularly in how to produce audio content that will drive sales and reach new consumers

• Proven interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills

• Adept at coping with fast-paced agendas, changing schedules and tight deadlines

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 Talent Acquisition Manager at 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.