Editorial Assistant, Penguin Michael Joseph
The Editorial Assistant is responsible for the smooth running of the imprint team by completing editorial tasks, related administration and providing support to the Publishers, primarily working across the flourishing romance and fantasy lists within Penguin Michael Joseph, but with scope to help across the fiction department.
The Role
Key responsibilities:
Administration
General office administration e.g. sorting post, photocopying, filing, arranging couriers and transport
Dealing with complaints (e.g. typos, missing pages, correspondence to customers)
Sending reviews, bound proofs and finished copies / foreign editions to author and / or agent
Liaising with agents regarding administrative matters
Coding invoices, arranging author payments and invoices with Royalties and Purchase Ledger departments
Providing support at author signings and events as requested
Monitoring and issuing take-down notices for infringing material posted online
Taking minutes for department meetings and circulating as directed
Editorial
Managing the internal book process under supervision, from acquisition to publication, to ensure that deadlines are met – including overseeing and managing spreadsheets and sales reports using Excel and Biblio
Submitting departmental titles to relevant prize submissions and liaising with the team on deadlines
Sending TCM Bookscan sales figures to designated authors and agents
Acting as a point of contact for authors, to answer questions where possible and passing other queries on to manager. The Editorial Assistant is expected to provide excellent author care at all times
Taking on some day-to-day responsibility for a particular author or series
Writing cover copy / editorial notes alongside the lead editor
Attending new project meetings and taking part in discussions around potential new books
Entering Biblio data for new titles, and making changes to copy or other data when changes occur (schedule, any metadata), keeping all title data up-to-date, complete and high quality at all times
What you’ll bring
Essential criteria:
Demonstrable interest in Publishing and/or Editorial team and/or Michael Joseph division
Proven written ability showcased through your application
Experience/knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/Outlook
Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities
Demonstrable communication skills
Highly organised with the ability to multitask and handle competing priorities
Exceptional personal organisation and time management skills
Attention to detail
The ability to work autonomously using initiative
Dedication to being creative and innovative
A love for romance and fantasy is essential for this role
Disability Confident
If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, above is the essential criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 6th February 2025.
Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
We anticipate a three-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview, an in-person second stage interview including a task, and a final in-person interview with the Director. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.
Salary
£27,500 plus benefits.
What you can expect from us
Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.
Our benefits include:
Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan
Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan
Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books
For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect the successful candidate to work from the office a minimum of three days per week, with a maximum of two days per week working remotely.
About Penguin
We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.
The recruitment process
You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.
We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.
Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.
Company: Penguin Books Limited
Country: United Kingdom
State/Region: London
City: London
Postal Code: SW11 7BW
Job ID: 276185