The Editorial Director for the fantastic William Collins will be responsible for identifying new non fiction publishing opportunities for the imprint and commissioning approximately 12-15 projects a year. We need someone who can keep on top of trends, talent scout, and liaise with agents/production companies to identify new voices and build established authors/brands for our imprint.

We are looking for someone who can drive creative, innovative strategies for key publishing assets and editorially manage projects. The Editorial Director will develop and manage additional projects. You will take editorial ownership, providing creative input and critical assessment, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. This person will also be responsible for creatively managing the back-list, reinventing older titles when possible.

You will support the Publishing Director with publishing strategy, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, exploring sales opportunities (home, export and special sales).

The role:

• Nurture strong contacts with agents so we are first to consider key, commercial projects.

• Make author care a priority so we are the first choice for authors and agents.

• Develop strong awareness of market trends and competition in order to make informed decisions and to identify new publishing opportunities.

• Explore gaps in the market and new ways of doing things to help us be a trend setter and a market leader. Prepare reports on specific market areas/demographics when necessary.

• Cost all projects accurately and negotiate the best deals possible with agents and authors.

• Ensure all deadlines are met and costs controlled.

• Share information/communicate with editorial managers, production, design, sales (home/export/special/rights) and marketing.

• Manage large complicated projects.

• Assist in successfully positioning and promoting all titles.

• Communicate key selling points of all titles to maximise sales performance.

• Contribute to overall profile and brand development.

Candidate experience:

• Significant successful commissioning experience working on a high profile non fiction literary list

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial publishing talent

• Excellent author/agent relationships

• Good team player, willing to carry through projects commissioned by others and reinvent backlist

• Global thinker – someone able to think 'beyond the book' and help us develop digital, e-book and audio

• Cross-company thinker: someone who can work across Newscorp when possible to best effect

• Excellent communicator (presentations) and writer (catalogue, cover copy)

• Proven editorial skills

• Comfortable with taking responsibility and owning decisions (plumping for a book, even at a high advance)

• Organised multi-tasker, who delivers briefs, edits and so on to schedule

• Detail-orientated and cost-aware