HarperNonFiction is one of the leading commercial Non-Fiction publishing divisions in the UK, with a huge range of bestselling authors, and we are looking for a creative, organised and driven individual to join our Editorial team, working across a combination of our gift publishing which includes lifestyle, cookery, humour, books promoting social change and brand partnership titles, as well as additional support across our general Non-Fiction list. Notable success across our gift publishing list include The Mini Eggs Cookbook,

Be Wild Be Free, The Holly Jolly Christmas Quiz Book, and Dinosaur Philosophy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to work on fresh and exciting books across a range of genres. As editorial assistant, you will facilitate the smooth running of the department and provide administrative and editorial support to the team, and there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to develop their editorial skills and progress new book ideas.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Day-to-day editorial and administrative support

• Conducting research into potential authors and brand partners

• Researching the book market as required, including Bookscan, retailer visits and competitor research

• Assisting with author pitches and presentations

• Reading and reporting back on a selection of submissions

• Liaising with authors and agents where necessary

• Writing rejection letters and responding to letters from the public

• Drafting book jacket copy, book cover briefs and other new title related documents

• Drafting catalogue copy and ensure sales copy across the list has been uploaded in line with metadata schedule

• Acting as main point of contact for internal and external teams and stakeholders, providing them with the relevant materials and chasing responses where necessary

• Occasional picture research

• Processing invoices and other financial documents

• Minuting team meetings and providing support for Launch Meetings

• Ordering author copies and departmental stock

• Submitting prize submissions

• Helping with managing reversion requests

Your first six months

The successful applicant would be able to hit the ground running in a busy and lively team environment, getting to grips with our systems and processes. By the end of six months they would be starting to manage projects with the supervision of their manager, and developing their editorial skills – including copywriting, structural edits, cover briefs and proofreading. From the start, contributing book ideas and feedback on proposals will be encouraged.

Experience required

• Solid administrative experience or knowledge, with a high level of computer literacy

• Some knowledge or research into the publishing industry

• Proven interest in commercial trend-led non-fiction in the gift and lifestyle areas

Skills required

• Excellent grammar, proofreading and copywriting abilities

• Creative flair and visual sensitivity

• Excellent organisational skills

• Intermediate computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook

• Ability to multitask effectively, take initiative and hold responsibility of tasks assigned

• Flexible and adaptable

• A proactive team player with a positive outlook

• Focused and astute

• Approachable and professional

• A confident communicator

• Commercially minded and able to think outside the box of traditional trade publishing

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.