Collins has been publishing educational and informative books for over 200 years. Throughout this rich heritage we have maintained an impressive record in creating market-leading products across various sectors. Our publishing for schools continues to deliver up-to-date and engaging student resources and exceptional teacher support to help schools tackle new initiatives and utilise the latest technology. Collins is a leading provider of books and online learning for early years, primary and secondary education, and ELT. We publish an extensive range for UK and international curricula, and revision and home learning resources, which help schools deliver outstanding teaching, and support pupils and students both in the classroom and at home.

Collins has a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. We aim to reflect diversity in terms of ethnicity, religion, gender, age, family structure, disability, sexuality and socio-economic background wherever possible.

Introduction to the role

You are an outward facing, commercially-minded publisher, who collates timely information from your market sector and turns it into viable product proposals – print and/or digital as the end-user requires. You are responsible for the overall performance of your product portfolio in the relevant market and will support the Publisher in setting the strategic priorities and direction for the wider lists. This role focuses on secondary revision, Scottish secondary curriculum and 11 Plus.

Your first six months

You will take forward projects that have already been acquired and see them through to launch. You will achieve a good understanding of the secondary revision list and market, 11 Plus, and secondary Scottish curriculum, supporting the corresponding marketing and sales activity. You will effectively manage the backlist whilst also seeking out new opportunities that fit with the publishing strategy for each area. You will become familiar with the new Collins digital platform and consider how digital delivery can support your list areas.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Market research

  • Spends time in/with schools, academies colleges, MATs, local authorities, DfE, educational consultants, special interest groups or subject groups, buying consortia, parents, consumers or other customers

  • Identifies market trends and publishing opportunities through close contact with the market

  • Stays abreast of educational policy and administrative developments in their area and shares with the wider team

  • Actively pursues, monitors, analyses and shares competitor information

  • Sources new authors, partners and educational consultants, who are experts and influential in their field, so that the pool of available talent for Collins to draw on is strengthened and diversified

• Product acquisition

  • Develops product rationale, holds constant informal discussions with sales and marketing, and takes forward viable product ideas to formal acquisitions process

  • Ensures commissioned content is as equitable, diverse and inclusive as possible

• Product development

  • Fully briefs the Product Development team so that they understand new product objectives and can take full ownership from commissioning the authors to delivering finished product to market

  • Where necessary, takes samples from Product Development team to customers and gains feedback

• Product performance

  • Works with sales and marketing to champion products and prepare market for launch, monitors progress against agreed strategy

  • Is accountable for product’s performance in the market, as part of the wider list

• List strategy

  • Responsible for the overall performance of the lists in the market, and for setting the strategic priorities and direction for the lists

  • Works with finance, sales and marketing colleagues to set ambitious but achievable sales targets, and plays a part in ensuring those targets are delivered

 Experience

• List management

• Relevant commissioning or product development experience including track record

• Editorial experience in educational publishing

• Digital publishing experience

Skills and Competencies

• Clear, effective and engaging communication and presentation skills

• Confident in developing relationships with authors, teachers, consultants, customers, partners

• Personal leadership skills to influence/win over stakeholders, especially through presenting new products

• Strategic and lateral thinker – able to step back and see bigger picture to plan, prioritise and make decisions

• Strong commercial awareness – can spot mass market opportunities/identify gaps in the market

• Proactive in troubleshooting and solving problems

• Flexible – able to juggle demanding workload and prioritise

• Creative and innovative – add value through creative solutions

• Optimisation of metadata of published products

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 our Talent Acquisition Manager at 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.