Introduction to the role

HarperCollins is looking for a new Audio Operations Assistant to oversee the administrative and organisational tasks for our in-house Audio team. This role is crucial in helping to deliver our best-in-class audiobook publishing programme, which covers everything from picture books to literary fiction, fantasy to celebrity memoir, as well as audio originals and podcasts. 

We are looking for someone with outstanding attention to detail, first-rate administrative and organisational skills, and a proactive, collaborative approach to work. The successful candidate will make sure our busy, friendly team hits all the deadlines needed so that our audiobooks are on sale, and to the high quality our listeners expect, when they’re supposed to be.

This is a great opportunity for a keen listener of spoken word content, and a big reader, to work with an award-winning team in the fastest-growing area of the publishing industry.

Please note that this is not a hands-on studio production role.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Ensure all HarperCollins audiobooks are delivered to us, and in turn distributed to retailers and library partners, on time and to our QC specifications

• Maintain accurate in-house systems, trackers and records

• Use initiative and proactively own the Audio team’s processes, continually looking for ways to improve efficiency

• Create and share delivery notes, agendas, schedules and reports to allow for smooth running of work with external partners and retailers, and within the team

• Create and check records on in-house systems, including pricing, territories and other important metadata

• Work closely with our library partners to ensure smooth running of our relationships with them, including creation of appropriate system records and sharing artwork and audio files

• Manage relationships with US publishers to promote sales of our audiobook masters, and to manage purchases of US masters

• Ensure title availability and pricing on retailer sites

• Archive audio files

• Oversee awards submissions for the team

• Set up suppliers on our payments system, and process POs and invoices

• First point of contact for audio queries from retailers, studios, customers and in-house colleagues

• Create and distribute audiobook extracts and marketing assets to marketing and publicity teams

• Management of HC Soundcloud account

• Occasional work with Audio Editors to assist on audiobook production tasks including shortlisting casting options, assisting with studio bookings and recordings, preparing scripts etc.

Experience required

• Solid administrative experience or knowledge

• A strong interest in reading and audiobooks

Skills required

• Excellent administration and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively

• Meticulous eye for attention to detail

• Clear, confident communication skills

• Able to manage personal and team deadlines effectively

• Excellent standard of written and spoken English

• Comfortable with working to tight deadlines

• A proactive and collaborative team player

• Ability to use own initiative as well as taking clear direction to follow protocol and standards

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

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/