We’re looking for an exceptionally organized and detail-oriented Senior Desk Editor to take primary responsibility for the smooth delivery of our non-fiction titles on the Bluebird and One Boat imprints, while also supporting projects across our wider publishing lists. This is an important and varied role for an experienced candidate with a solid understanding of the editorial and production processes and a passion for working with pre-press teams to create books of the highest quality.
You will be working within the Managing Editorial team, reporting to the Managing Editorial Director. We’re a collaborative and multifaceted department that forms the backbone of Pan Macmillan’s publishing programme, overseeing frontlist, backlist and reissued titles through all stages of the editorial and production process. We work alongside authors, commissioning editors, the production team and other in-house departments to ensure high editorial quality is maintained, processes are refined and commercial needs are met, all while bringing a wonderful and varied array of books to life.
You will predominantly be working on mono non-fiction titles across the Bluebird and One Boat imprints (general non-fiction focused on wellbeing, health, memoir and lifestyle) while also supporting the wider Managing Editorial team on titles across our adult and children’s lists, including fiction, as required.
This pivotal role brings the Bluebird and One Boat publishing programmes to life, combining meticulous editorial oversight with dynamic project management. You will ensure seamless progress from copy-edit to final files, championing quality and efficiency every step of the way. A typical day could see you liaising with commissioning editors and authors before checking a jacket or proofreading some cover copy. You might also review a copy-edited manuscript or prepare a file for typesetting. You might then step away from a proof collation to run the Bluebird progress meeting. Afterwards, you might update Biblio schedules to keep on top of critical path dates. You may also be checking an ebook file or anglicizing a buy-in health title from one of our sister companies.
Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.
Salary: £37,000 to £40,000
The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.
Closing date: 22 November 2026
This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.
We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve. You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge here.
As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section.
Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance.
Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.
We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.
All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.
