We are looking for creative and driven individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds who can connect with our readers.

Whether you already work in the book industry and want to fast-track your marketing career or you’re working in marketing and looking to step into the world of publishing this programme is for you!

The programme

Over 12 months, we will guide and support you to become a marketing manager who can deliver market-leading campaigns. We have two places available: one in Adult marketing and one in Children’s marketing.

• Adult’s: two six-month rotations in our fiction and non-fiction imprints

• Children’s: two six-month rotations one in Farshore and one in HarperCollins Children’s Books

As part of our marketing teams, you will learn from colleagues who work on campaigns for debut authors, Sunday Times bestsellers and brand names. We will help you understand how to connect with readers, measure and evaluate campaigns, understand the successful marketing mix for each title, manage the creation of campaign assets and deliver campaigns to timeline and budget.

Throughout your training, you'll collaborate with authors, agents, editors, and partners to amplify our books through captivating campaigns across various media channels. You'll also get to experience cover design and acquisition meetings, offering insights on new manuscripts and working closely with editorial, sales and publicity colleagues.

To make sure you get the most out of the programme we will tailor your learning and development. We will do everything we can to help you develop the skills and experience you need to secure a role as a permanent Marketing Manager.

Skills required

• Creativity is essential!

• Excellent communication skills

• Marketing, PR, communications or social media experience in any industry

• Exceptional organisation and prioritisation skills 

• A collaborative team player who can build strong working relationships

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Enthusiasm for reading widely across commercial fiction and non-fiction or Childrens’ depending on the strand you are applying for.

If you are selected you will be based in our London Bridge office at least two days a week, starting in early 2024. You will be paid a training bursary, £30,000 - £34,000 depending on skills and experience. You will also get access to lots of great perks and benefits.  

Who can apply?

• You must be over 18

• You do not need a degree

• You must have the right to work in the UK

• You must be from one of the following ethnic groups:

• Asian or Asian British: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Any other Asian background

• Black, Black British, Caribbean or African: Caribbean, African, Any other Black, Black British, or Caribbean background

• Mixed or multiple ethnic groups: White and Black Caribbean, White and Black African, White and Asian, Any other Mixed or multiple ethnic background

• Other ethnic group: Arab, Any other non-White ethnic group

Please note we cannot accept applications from any other White ethnic groups as the UK Publishing Workforce Report (2021) shows that there is no underrepresentation of those groups in the publishing sector.

Supporting you throughout the training programme

We will customise your learning journey to help you gain the skills and experience needed for a successful transition into a  permanent marketing manager role. On the programme you will:

• Be mentored by a Marketing Director

• Build a relationship with  the Executive Publishers in your area to discuss your career

• Exclusive access to our Author and Design Academy Masterclasses

• If you are new to publishing you will learn about every area of our business through our insight sessions – what makes an editor acquire a book, how we design our book covers, how we promote our books etc.

• Attend book launch parties, London Book Fair, author talks, and events in our building

• You’ll get free proofs (the early copies of books issued before publication date) and a 70% discount on all HarperCollins books!

This programme is part of our long-term strategy to become more ethnically diverse across HarperCollins, especially at senior levels.

More information, including FAQs, can be found on our webpage, https://corporate.harpercollins.co.uk/careers/early-careers/

Benefits 

• Hybrid working model (2+ 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 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  2 volunteering days 

• 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 recruitment@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.