Pavilion publishes lifestyle books, including fully integrated illustrated cookbooks, as well as reference and narrative non-fiction. Setting the agenda for inclusive conversations about living life beautifully we take pride in our distinctive design, well-researched content and uncompromising production values.

We are very trend aware especially in genres such as cookery, health, craft, gardening, well-being and personal development. Finding authors and helping them to build their brand, reaching wider audiences and finding new ones, inspiring and guiding, or moving from niche to mainstream is what we love to do and underpins our commercially successful list.

This commissioning role requires a clear understanding of the non-fiction market, the ability to spot trends and publishing opportunities for the list, and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious collaborative team.

Desirable candidates will have excellent contacts with a wide range of agents, authors, editors, talent managers, etc with whom we can develop publishing partnerships, and a proven track record in publishing successful, bestselling titles in the categories above. The role will suit digitally-savvy and commercially astute candidates who have both initiative and energy, who are excited to think creatively about how we commission and publish our books and with the ability to develop and implement a profitable publishing strategy across a wide range of titles.  Line management experience and skills are highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• To commission, edit and publish titles successfully and profitably for the Pavilion list

• To read and respond promptly to agent submissions and successfully pitch for projects

• Build relationships with agents, with a view to bringing in the best talent to Pavilion

• Ownership of and main point of contact for your own stable of authors across trend-led subject areas and brands with scope to grow.

• To maintain strong relationships with authors and agents, providing regular updates on publishing strategy, sell-in and sell-out for ongoing authors.

• To work closely with the production team, desk editor and pub ops manager to keep both mono and 4-colour illustrated titles on critical path.

• Understanding and wider reading of UK commercial non-fiction market, ensuring strong market knowledge and market-focused publishing strategies

• Briefing jackets and spreads and liaising with designers, seeing covers through from start to finished proof

• Copywriting and checking sales/marketing material, e.g. catalogues, sales presenters, etc.

• Creating strategy documents for key titles, and presenting these to the wider team as required

• Clear direction of metadata/AIs for individual authors, ensuring this fits with emerging trends in the market, and is completed in line with critical path

• Writing cover/catalogue copy as required

• Presenting titles at monthly International, Rights meetings, sales and marketing meetings

• To negotiate deal memos and progress contracts as required

• To delegate effectively when required, supporting the growth and development of junior staff

 Skills and Experience

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial publishing talent and commercial awareness

• Excellent author/agent/talent manager relationships

• List building and strategic skills

• Line management skills

• Good team player, willing to carry through projects

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

• 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 including four-colour illustrated publishing

• Detail-orientated and cost-aware

• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign

• Passionate about commercial non-fiction, energetic and enthusiastic

• Enjoys a challenge

• Remains calm when working to a deadline

• Dynamic team member

• Diplomatic

• Excellent people management skills

 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.