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.

ABOUT HQ

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 and Carrie Hope Fletcher. Debut novels published by HQ, The Family Tree by Sairish Hussain and This Lovely City by Louise Hare, have been shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the RSL Ondaatje Prize respectively. HQ Non-Fiction publishes the Sunday Times bestselling BOSH!, The Batch Lady and The Prison Doctor books, as well as June Sarpong’s award-winning work on DE&I and Caroline Hirons’ record-breaking Skincare. In 2022, HQ published Joe Wicks’s Feel Good Food which was industry Number 1. HQ prides itself on publishing books that are bold, brave, inclusive, and always with a compelling story to tell.

MILLS & BOON

Sweeping women off their feet for over 100 years, Mills & Boon is the UKs #1 publisher of romantic fiction. Written by women, for women, it has a romance for every reader promising a happily-ever-after ending every time. With millions of books sold each year, Mills & Boon books deliver delicious doses of feel-good romance. This year it launched the eBook subscription app, We Love Romance, and published Georgia Toffolo’s debut romance novel, Meet Me in London.

ABOUT PAVILION

Pavilion is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers specialising in illustrated non-fiction. Expert global publishers, the list is defined by the long-term successes of their award-winning authors, brands and partners. Pavilion publish the very best, forward-thinking books on food and drink, art and craft, design, gardening and nature, travel, wellbeing, self-development, gift, and nostalgia. As visual leaders, they prioritise distinctive design, well-researched content and uncompromising production values to offer their partners a bespoke publishing experience. 

Key Responsibilities

• 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

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

Experience Required

• Demonstratable publicity background, preferably in publicity in a trade publishing house 

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

• Network of press contacts and strong knowledge of media across broadcast, print and online

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

• Experience with planning effective in-person tours and online events

Skills Required

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

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

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

• Enthusiasm to find new and innovative ways to promote our books

• Strong relationship building skills and ability to manage relationships with authors, agents etc.

• Excellent communication skills, ability to speak confidently and pitch ideas in internal and external meetings

• Results-driven, with an ability to analyse effectiveness of campaigns against budget and sales

• Ability to multitask, prioritise and juggle a heavy workload under pressure

• Strong attention to detail, with an understanding of the elements need to make a title commercially successful

• Social media savvy

Benefits 

• Hybrid working model (3 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, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work

• 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

• Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)

• With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire

• Free e-books and audiobooks, digital 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.