An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior non-fiction editor to join Farshore’s award-winning Picture Book and Non-Fiction Team. Our authors and illustrators include Julia Donaldson, Ant and Dec, Chris Packham, Michael Morpurgo, Sophy Henn, Smriti Halls and Sarah Massini.

The role requires a strong understanding of the children’s non-fiction market and experience editing a range of non-fiction titles, including full-colour titles and B-format middle-grade and teen titles (particularly personal development titles), a good track record developing own IP, as well as the ability to spot trends and publishing opportunities for the list.

Experience editing picture books will be of benefit. Desirable candidates will have excellent contacts with a wide range of agents, authors and other industry professionals, proven commercial acumen, and a desire to think innovatively and creatively about how we commission and publish our books to best contribute to our market growth and uphold the Division’s mission ‘to make every child a proud reader’.

Key tasks and accountabilities 

The key tasks of the role will include but are not limited to the following:

• Commissioning and editing successful and profitable titles for the Farshore Picture Book and Non-fiction list

• Building relationships with agents, with a view to bringing in the best talent to Farshore

• Reading and responding promptly to agent submissions and pitching for projects

• Demonstrating strong market knowledge and helping to develop market-focused publishing strategies

• Maintaining strong relationships with existing authors and agents, providing regular updates on publishing strategy and sell-in

• Pitching new titles at Publishing Strategy Meetings

• Managing P&Ls and budgets for individual titles

• Creating strategy documents for key titles, and presenting these to the wider team as required

• Working closely with Production and Pub Ops teams to keep all titles on critical path

• Writing cover and sales copy, and checking sales/marketing material, e.g. catalogues, sales presenters, etc.

• Completing Advance Information sheets and inputting and managing metadata as required in line with critical path

• Presenting titles at sales conferences, and other internal meetings

• Negotiating deal memos and progressing contracts as required

• Delegating effectively when required, supporting the growth and development of junior staff.

Skills required 

• Passionate about non-fiction and picture books for children of all ages

• Extremely organised and efficient, able to juggle a large, varied workload 

• Outstanding editorial skills, including structural editing, copyediting, copywriting and proofreading

• An ability to meet deadlines and a precise eye for detail

• Confident communication skills both internally and externally 

• A creative and proactive approach

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.