Purpose of the Role 

The Senior Publicist will implement and deliver innovative media and event campaigns working alongside the Head of Publicity for authors and brands across the HarperCollins Children’s Books portfolio including Harper Fire. They will create and maintain strong working relationships with authors, agents, sales, and wider industry stake holders. Working closely with the wider Marketing and PR team, directed by the Marketing & PR Director, the Senior Publicist will work to drive profitable sales and raise and maintain the profile of our authors and illustrators.

Key Responsibilities 

• Implement creative national PR campaigns including tier 1 authors and brands such as David Walliams, Rob Biddulph, Adam Stower and others as directed.

• Create tailored campaigns for each author/brand pitching for feature and review coverage across broadcast, print and digital as well as securing events and author tours (some weekend and evening work required).

• Maintain author schedules, coordinate logistics, send marketing materials and book stock for all events and author tours.

• Manage external agencies, freelancers and stakeholders to ensure campaigns are carried out to a high standard.  

• To manage financial budgets accordingly and bring campaigns in on budget.

• Work closely with the editorial team, agents and authors to ensure strong relationships are maintained.

• Maintain a wide range of media contacts including, trade contacts, feature editors, broadcast, and social media influencers.

• Represent HCCB when required at book conferences, librarian conferences and other industry occasions. 

• Attend regular meetings with journalists and influencers, growing a network of contacts.

• With the support of the Head of Publicity draft, assist and distribute press releases and media statements with clear comms and timeline to internal and external stakeholders.

• Support the Head of Publicity with campaign work offering administrative support when needed.

• To be aware of HarperCollins diversity and inclusion policies and to adhere across campaigns and interactions with colleagues.  

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Excellent organisational skills 

• Strong relationship building skills 

• Collaborative team player 

• Highly creative 

• Digital Native 

 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 

• The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit  https://www.btbs.org/

At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities.  This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to 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.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.