Job Description

Are you passionate about children’s publishing? Are you currently in editorial and keen to work with some of the biggest brands and most exciting new creators in the market? The Puffin Picture Books team have an exciting opportunity for someone to join the team as an Editor on a permanent basis

About the team

We publish some of the biggest names in picture books from iconic classic brands such as The World of Peter Rabbit, Spot and The Very Hungry Caterpillar and bestselling heritage creators including Allan Ahlberg, Anthony Browne and Shirley Hughes, to major new talent including Tom Fletcher, Nadia Shireen, Rashmi Sirdeshpande, Nathan Bryon, and Dapo Adeola. We are passionate about bringing stories to life that change and shape lives.

The role

As an Editor at Puffin, you’ll work with a broad range of classic brands and heritage authors, as well as contemporary classics of the future. This is a great opportunity to join a large, creative, commercial team and there will be collaborative support to develop your editorial skills on the job. For the right candidate, there may be the opportunity eventually to commission, working alongside and being supported by the editorial team.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaboratively working on the in-house process for specific books, including scheduling, running costings, compiling metadata, jacket and cover copy.
• Working closely with authors, estates and brand owners on existing projects at different stages of publication.
• Editing manuscripts for a select number of titles. Liaising with in-house teams, authors and agents. Presenting titles at internal meetings.
• Contributing to the publishing vision by inputting ideas for your books, including format, binding, design, price, and promotional campaigns.
• Working collaboratively with the team to identify new talent for the list and bring exciting new project ideas to meetings.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone with demonstrable editorial experience and solid market knowledge in children’s publishing. You might currently be an Assistant Editor looking for your next challenge, or an Editor wanting hands-on experience on a different type of list and exposure to household brands and names.

Essential criteria:

• Proven skills in editing and working with authors and agents.
• Solid market knowledge and demonstrable interest in children’s publishing. Excellent demonstrable communication skills and understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities.
• Initiative, creative motivation, and a proactive nature.
• Strong attention to detail.
• To be able to prioritise, multitask and work under pressure.

Preferred criteria:

• To be engaged with popular culture, be well-informed of current trends, and have design awareness.
• To be a team player with interpersonal sensitivity.

Disability Confident

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 with, for us to support your request.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 24th of June.

As part of your cover letter, we’d like you to respond to the following question (no more than 200 words): We’re looking for someone with a passion for classic children’s publishing brands. Please share with us a preschool publishing brand which really stands out to you in today’s market. What makes it so successful?

1. 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.
2. Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

Use of AI tools

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Salary

Circa £33,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

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 that you will work from the London -embassy gardens office 3 days a week.

TBC

Company: Penguin Books Limited | Job ID: 289421