Would you like to work with some of the world’s best loved authors, help discover new talent and make bestsellers happen? The HarperCollins Traineeship is open for applications from aspiring Black, Asian and minority ethnic talent now.

Role Overview

The HarperCollins Traineeship was the first of its kind and since 2016 has offered opportunities for talented individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. We’ve hired some exceptional people through the scheme and look forward to finding more in 2021.

Successful candidates will get a full grounding in our international, award-winning business. The trainees are paid a training bursary equivalent to £23,575* per annum. If you are one of our two successful candidates, you will undertake a twelve-month rotational traineeship in teams including:

• Editorial

• Sales

• Publicity

• Marketing

• Communications

It will be a busy, exciting year with plenty of opportunity to:

• learn all about HarperCollins, one of the world’s largest publishers

• get insight into the publishing industry

• build your network of contacts

Throughout the year, Trainees will benefit from:

• expert coaching with a senior mentor

• development opportunities and team projects

• opportunities to join our employee-led network groups  

• training on-the-job, through our e-learning platform and in workshops from around the business

You will get involved in important and exciting aspects of our business with opportunities to:

• take part in key industry events such as book fairs and literary events

• work with schools and charities

• attend HarperCollins industry talks and seminars 

If you’ve got a positive outlook and a passion for publishing, the HarperCollins Traineeship is a life-changing opportunity and can set you up for success in whatever career path you choose. 

The first assessment day is planned to take place virtually on 4 November. Please ensure you are available to attend the assessment day before submitting your application.

About You 

HarperCollins is all about stories, and we really want to know yours, what you are passionate about and what you could bring to the HarperCollins team.

Here’s what you don’t need:

• A degree

• Previous publishing experience

Here’s what you do need:

• A creative and commercial mind

• Enthusiasm to learn

• An eagerness to immerse yourself into all areas of our business

• An ability to build great relationships and work within a team

• An eye for detail

• A passion for books and stories.

Overview of HarperCollins

HarperCollins is proud to publish prizewinners and international giants, rising stars and home-grown heroes, chart toppers and cult favorites, and many of the world’s most trusted education and reference brands – all for adults and children alike. We have a 200-year history full of firsts, but we’re not stuck in the past - we’re inspired by imagination and we lead with innovation in all that we do.

We tell stories for everyone. Our authors, who make that happen, are the core and heart of our business. We are proud to publish many brilliant diverse authors across all genres, age groups and subjects and actively seek out new authors from diverse backgrounds. From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nadiya Hussain and June Sarpong, to J.R.R. Tolkien and Hilary Mantel, we just want to tell great stories for all. To achieve this, we need our business to represent as many people as possible.

We are fully committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are working towards increasing the diversity of our colleagues, to better represent the readership and communities we serve, create the most inclusive culture and to be the best company to work at. We have been awarded the ‘Best Diversity Network Group’, are listed in the top 75 social mobility employer index and have been part of BITC’s Race Equality campaign for the last 5 years which also led to us signing up to the Race at Work Charter. 

To complete an application you will be asked to answer a few screening questions and will need to upload your CV which will be used later in the process.

The HarperCollins People team will screen all the application questions via our blind recruitment platform and successful candidates will be invited to attend the first of two virtual assessment days on 5 November.

HarperCollins Publishers is an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and those who wish to work with us. We embrace difference, champion diversity and treat each other with respect. HarperCollins can accommodate reasonable changes to the process in order to help you to be successful in your job application. If you are shortlisted and need any adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment manager kally.simmonds@harpercollins.co.uk

*To be reviewed in October 2020