Job Description

Penguin Random House Corporate Bookmaking is seeking a Managing Editor OR Senior Managing Editor to support the Random House division, working on the Random House and Hogarth imprints. Random House and Hogarth are home to award-winning, bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors, including Maya Angelou, George Saunders, Kiran Desai, Salman Rushdie, Joyce Carol Oates, Mariana Enriquez, Jon Meacham, Han Kang, Emma Cline, Gary Shteyngart, Elizabeth Strout, Lena Dunham, Imbolo Mbue, Anna Quindlen, and Gloria Steinem, to name a few. Reporting to the Director of Managing Editorial, the Managing Editor/Senior Managing Editor will work on a variety of hardcover and trade paperback titles, including both fiction and nonfiction.

The Managing Editorial department manages the editorial process of all trade paperback and hardcover books for a diverse set of imprints. This role involves overseeing schedules and logistics from manuscript transmittal to final book files and requires the ability to easily multitask and collaborate with many other departments.

Our ideal candidate is highly motivated, proactive, enthusiastic about publishing, and extremely detail oriented. We are looking for a meticulous self-starter who loves books of all types and is invested in the process of bringing them to a wide readership, has strong writing and analytical skills, communicates clearly, is comfortable asking for help when needed, and wants to be an active participant on a collaborative team.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Act as primary point of contact for overall scheduling, communication, and logistics for the imprints’ books (approximately 80 original titles and 50 paperback conversions per year), including acting as the key point person for the deputy publisher and the publishing manager of the imprint.

• Act as the primary liaison among other departments, especially production, interior design, production editorial, and art, as well as publicity, marketing, inventory, and sales.

• Provide guidance to editors regarding manuscript due dates, manuscript transmittals, and general schedules.

• Set and ensure deadlines are met for all aspects of the bookmaking process including bound galleys, jacket/cover components, ancillary materials, legal reads, as well as the book itself.

• Schedule and run planning meetings to keep season lists and titles on track – includes spec check meetings, production status meetings, title check-in meetings, and design meetings.

• Collect, enter, and maintain metadata, including ISBNs, categories, specs, prices, on-sale dates, etc. in SAP.

• Manage, in collaboration with the sales-marketing and metadata teams, the release of metadata to online retailers and catalogues.

• Update the production database (FileMaker Pro) regularly.

• Distribute periodic reports (weekly, monthly, seasonally).

• Perform other related projects or duties as assigned or required by division.

• Manage an associate managing editor, who will manage cover routing, copy delivery, and other database updates.

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Managing Editorial in trade book publishing is required for Managing Editor level, minimum 7 years’ experience to be considered at Senior Managing Editor level

• Exceptional attention to detail and superb organizational skills

• Outstanding ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; excellent time management skills and the ability to accommodate shifting schedules and deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to resolve problems, follow up on and meet challenging deadlines, take initiative, and problem-solve creatively (and help others do the same)

• A collaborative spirit with great people skills; a team player with the ability to build relationships with other departments.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style

• Expertise with FileMaker Pro, Lytho, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and SAP a plus

The salary for the Managing Editor level is $73,500. The salary for the Senior Managing Editor level is $76,500. All positions are currently eligible for an annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.  

This is a hybrid position with in-office responsibilities. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 1745 Broadway, which includes the tri-state area (NJ, CT, & PA).

Applications for this role will be accepted through June 5, 2026 or until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply early, as we review applications on a rolling basis. Please include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.

Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company: Penguin Random House LLC | Job ID: 289402