An opportunity has arisen to join the publicity team within HQ, Mills & Boon and Pavilion, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, to work on innovative campaigns for some of the leading names in commercial fiction and non-fiction.  

Specialising in commercial fiction, non-fiction and innovative digital publishing, HQ is a young, ambitious, and award-winning imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. It launches debuts, builds brands and publishes Sunday Times bestselling authors such as such as Adele Parks, Linwood Barclay, Sarah Morgan, Erica James, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher. HQ Non-Fiction publishes the Sunday Times bestselling cookbooks from BOSH!, as well as June Sarpong’s award-winning work on DE&I, Caroline Hirons’ record-breaking Skincare and Joe Wicks’ Feel Good Food which was industry Number 1 in 2022. In 2022, it also published Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter’s Menopausing, which was crowned Book of the Year at The British Book Awards in 2023. HQ prides itself on publishing books that are bold, brave, inclusive, and always with a compelling story to tell. 

Sweeping women off their feet for over 100 years, Mills & Boon is the UKs #1 publisher of romantic fiction and won the RNA Industry Award for Publisher of the Year 2020. In the UK a Mills & Boon novel is sold once every ten seconds.  

Pavilion Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers specialising in illustrated non-fiction. The enviable roster of high-profile authors on the list includes MOB Kitchen founder Ben Lebus; Italian chef and TV personality Gennaro Contaldo; Sunday Sessions YouTuber Big Has; interior design expert Kate Watson-Smyth (creator of Mad About the House); Vintage Rolex expert David Silver and crochet queen Kerry Lord.  

Key Accountabilities

• Plan and implement PR campaigns for books across our imprints (HQ, Mills & Boon and Pavilion)

• Develop innovative publicity campaigns in line with key objectives across individual titles or brand authors, on brief and within budget

• Work closely with the Editorial, Marketing and Sales teams to ensure publicity opportunities are fully maximised and communicated across the Division

• Deliver high levels of author care, presenting and communicating publicity campaigns and strategy to external stakeholders including authors, agents and managers.

• Generate and foster review and feature coverage across relevant media, including newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, online and social media

• Plan and execute author events and tours to raise author profile and generate sales

• Maintain, develop and grow relationships with key journalists, producers, event managers and new media contacts across all channels

• Stay in tune with trends and news within fiction and non-fiction publishing, to maintain an awareness of the market.

Experience Required

• Proven track record of publicity experience, preferably in a trade publishing house

• Preference for a strong fiction background 

• Proven track record in generating stand-out, industry leading publicity coverage across a variety of authors and campaigns

• Extensive experience of proving excellent author care and communication

• Excellent knowledge of different media opportunities across print, broadcast and online

• Extensive and proven network of media, literary and bookseller contacts

• Proven experience of organising and managing high profile author tours and events

• A genuine passion for commercial fiction and non-fiction books

Skills required

• Excellent communication and people skills at all levels and ability to build and maintain first-rate relationships with external and external contacts

• Fantastic organisation, multi-tasking and prioritisation skills, and the ability to juggle a heavy workload under pressure

• A team player who will thrive as part of a collaborative and dynamic publicity team

• Ability to be creative and innovative in a busy working environment

• Professionally resilient and determined with a solutions mindset 

• A motivated and proactive self-starter

• A ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to remain calm under pressure

• A genuine passion for commercial fiction and non-fiction books

Due to the nature of the role, you may be required to work in the evenings and at weekends

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 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.