Collins is seeking a dynamic and creative Reference Publisher to join our team and lead the publishing of our renowned dictionaries, general reference books, and the Times Books and National Trust Books imprints.

The successful candidate will have a passion for publishing and a strong understanding of the reference market, as well as a track record of driving growth and success. We are looking for someone who is motivated and driven to find new opportunities and deliver exceptional results.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of our publishing strategy, from commissioning new titles and managing budgets to engaging with production and distribution. You will work closely with our editorial, design, and marketing teams to ensure that our products are of the highest quality and meet the needs of our customers.

To be successful in this role, you will need to be an excellent communicator and have strong leadership skills. You will be expected to manage and motivate a team of publishing professionals and ensure that everyone is working towards our shared goals.

We are looking for someone with a strong background in publishing, ideally with experience in the reference market. If you are a creative and ambitious publisher with a passion for delivering exceptional products and driving business growth, we would love to hear from you. Please apply with a cover letter and CV to be considered for this exciting opportunity.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the reference list, in line with the overall goals of Collins

• Identify new trends and opportunities in the reference market and develop plans to capitalize on them

• Commission and acquire new titles, working closely with authors and other stakeholders to ensure they meet the high standards of Collins

• Manage the development process for the reference list, ensuring that books are delivered on time and to budget

• Work closely with the sales and marketing teams to promote the reference list and achieve strong sales results

• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including authors, agents, and partners

• Proactively investigate possible partner organisations and authors that Collins could work with

• Lead annual (and more targeted monthly) strategy sessions on reference publishing within Collins

• Act as main point of contact between publishing team and all key stakeholder teams within the division and more widely within HarperCollins and News UK

• Manage the reference publishing team, assigning priorities, offering support and guidance, and attending to their day-to-day requirements

• Oversee the publishing for the whole team – Instigate research and encourage the development of new publishing proposals to maintain and improve current adult reference list

• Fully brief and work with project leaders and designers on the publications

• Liaise with marketing and assist in the improvement and optimisation of metadata of published products to the priorities set by Reference Publisher

• Monitor commercial and market response of titles and assess versus budget and expectations

• Monitor customer feedback and respond within agreed process

Person Specification

• A proven track record in publishing, with a strong focus on reference

• Excellent editorial and commercial judgement, with the ability to identify and develop new opportunities

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to tight deadlines

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with authors and other stakeholders

• A creative and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to think outside the box and drive innovation

• A team player with the ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals

Your first six months

In your first six months you will assess the current publishing strategy and 3 year plan, decide where it is strong and where it could be improved and make suggestions to the business.

You will work on establishing yourself as the key point of contact for reference publishing across the division and more widely within HarperCollins.

You will assess the publishing lists of each member of the reference publishing team, decide if the current lists are properly distributed and look at where new publishing opportunities would sit in the light of cartographic publishing moving out of the reference team.

You will continue to publish the reference list that was in place upon your arrival in the post, while also starting to think about new opportunities for reference publishing.

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.