Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA

Senior Editor, Audiobook Originals (Hybrid NYC or LA)

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA  •  $86k - $90k/yr  •  New York (Remote)  •  13 hours ago
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Job Description

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/.

PRH Audio is seeking an ambitious, creative, and commercially minded Senior Editor, Audiobook Originals to help develop, acquire, and execute original audiobook content and branded audio projects that expand our catalog, reach new audiences, and create new opportunities for growth. This role will focus on identifying strong audiobook-original ideas, building relationships with authors, brands, agencies, creators, publishers, agents, and other partners, and helping move projects from concept to pitch to deal to production. The ideal candidate will bring a combination of editorial instinct, business development energy, data-driven thinking, creative curiosity, and strong follow-through, with a passion for building premium audio content that is both creatively distinctive and commercially viable.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Develop, source, and acquire audiobook original content opportunities for PRH Audio, with a focus on building a commercially strong and creatively distinctive pipeline of audio-first projects with authors, brands, publishers, creators, agents, media companies, agencies, and other rights holders.
  • Identify and develop branded audio opportunities that align with PRH Audio’s creative standards, audience goals, and business priorities, including partnerships with consumer brands, media brands, cultural organizations, nonprofits, institutions, and mission-aligned commercial partners.
  • Proactively generate original audiobook ideas using both creative instincts and data-driven insights, including category trends, audience behavior, author platform strength, brand relevance, cultural conversation, sales history, social engagement, backlist opportunities, and long-term catalog potential.
  • Build and manage an active Audiobook Originals development pipeline, including market scouting, lead generation, partner outreach, pitch review, concept development, internal evaluation, deal preparation, production handoff, publication planning, and post-launch performance review.
  • Pursue and close deals for Audiobook Originals and branded audio projects, including author-led originals, brand-supported storytelling, nonfiction originals, narrative series, audio-first extensions of existing IP, companion audio programs, backlist-inspired originals, and other innovative formats that expand the PRH Audio catalog.
  • Prepare clear pitch materials, deal summaries, competitive analysis, audience insights, and internal recommendations to support approval conversations with senior leadership, Finance, Legal, Production, Sales, Marketing, Publicity, and other key stakeholders.
  • Partner closely with internal teams to ensure Audiobook Originals and branded content projects move successfully from concept and deal stage through production, launch, discoverability, promotion, sales execution, and long-term catalog development.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across the audiobook, publishing, entertainment, creator, agency, and brand ecosystems, positioning PRH Audio as a premier destination for partners seeking to develop high-quality audiobook original and branded audio storytelling.
  • Track the performance of Audiobook Originals and branded content projects, using results to inform future development strategy, identify repeatable models, deepen partner relationships, and uncover opportunities for series, franchises, brand extensions, and audience growth.
  • Stay deeply informed about trends in audiobooks, podcasts, branded entertainment, creator-led media, publishing, entertainment, and emerging audio platforms, bringing forward fresh ideas that can help PRH Audio grow its Audiobook Originals business.
  • Bring an entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and persistent approach to the role, combining creative taste, deal instinct, relationship-building skills, and operational follow-through to help expand PRH Audio’s original audiobook and branded content catalog.

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in audiobooks, publishing, podcasting, branded content, content development, media, entertainment, literary representation, business development, rights licensing, or a related creative field
  • Strong market/trend awareness
  • Excellent negotiation skills
  • Highly proactive in seeking out talent and new business partners
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations
  • Highly analytical with the ability to interpret and make decisions based on data
  • Ability to work effectively with employees across all levels and functions within an organization
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners
  • Calm under pressure with the ability to solve problems effectively and creatively
  • Ability to travel as needed

Additional Information

The salary range for this position is $85,500 - $90,000. 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) or the North Hollywood area of Los Angeles, CA.

Applications for this role will be accepted through August 1, 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 values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:



Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated. The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.

The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process. You can find these here

You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address.

Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here

We value the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA

About Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA

Bertelsmann ist ein Medien-, Dienstleistungs- und Bildungsunternehmen mit rund 75.000 Mitarbeitenden, das in gut 50 Ländern der Welt aktiv ist. Zum Konzernverbund gehören das Entertainment-Unternehmen RTL Group, die Buchverlagsgruppe Penguin Random House, das Musikunternehmen BMG, der Dienstleister Arvato Group, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, die Bertelsmann Education Group sowie das internationale Fondsnetzwerk Bertelsmann Investments. Das Unternehmen erzielte im Geschäftsjahr 2024 einen Umsatz von 19 Mrd. Euro. Bertelsmann steht für Kreativität und Unternehmertum. Diese Kombination ermöglicht erstklassige Medienangebote und innovative Servicelösungen, die Kunden in aller Welt begeistern.

www.bertelsmann.com

Industry
Media & Publishing
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Gütersloh, DE
Year Founded
Unknown
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