Our successful Non-Fiction team are looking for an Editor to edit and oversee a number of books from initial concept to finished product.  Subjects cover many areas of commercial non-fiction, with a focus on memoir, true crime, trend-led narrative, pop culture and entertainment.

We are looking for a dynamic editor who should have experience of working within a busy, editorial department, excellent organisational and editing skills with a meticulous eye for detail and flair for copywriting. The role encompasses a combination of desk editing and commissioning and there will also be an opportunity to take on responsibility for core strands of the HarperNonFiction list and key authors, working closely with the Publishing Directors across our Narrative and Entertainment publishing verticals including the imprints Mudlark and Element.

You will be able to demonstrate commercial instincts and be well practised in prioritising, multi-tasking and working to deadline. You also need to be great at communicating effectively and able to confidently manage relationships with in-house teams as well as authors and agents.

The role will appeal to a team player who is also happy to work independently and excited to think creatively about how we successfully publish our books to reach the right audience and suit either an Assistant Editor looking to step up or desk editor who’d like to gain more experience commissioning.

Core Accountabilities

• Assist the HNF commissioning team on a range of books

• Prepare cover briefs, write cover copy and information sheets, and check proofs

• Copywrite and check sales and marketing materials, e.g. catalogues, presenters

• Research and prepare pitch presentations for new business, including liaising with designers internally and externally

• Full desk editorial responsibilities – copy editing, proofreading, copywriting and writing design briefs – for a range of titles, including digital formats. Seeing titles through from manuscript to finished copies

• Manage budgets, schedules and critical paths

• Liaise with authors, artists and agents and working with the project editorial team managing freelance copyeditors and proof-readers

• Keep abreast of current publishing trends and market dynamics, as well as displaying intuition about future trend developments

• Ownership of your stable of authors, seeing their books through to publication for physical, digital and audio editions. 

Experience/ Skills required

• Demonstrable editorial experience in commercial non-fiction books

• Proven copy editing and proof-reading skills

• A good eye for detail

• Strong visual awareness

• Well organised with the ability to prioritise and manage workload, and ability to deal with a mixture of long and short-term demands

• Excellent communication skills (presentation) and strong written skills (catalogue and cover copy)

• Financial awareness. Full familiarity with budgeting and cost-control processes in relation to specific projects and lists

• Highly self-motivated/self-starting

• Calm under pressure

• A good team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and carry through projectsDriven to exceed expectations.

• Adept team-player. Able to contribute in wider discussions of the Division’s publishing and business

• Passion for innovative publishing, meaningful content and commercial books