Commissioning Editor / Senior Commissioning Editor, Century (Cornerstone)

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We're seeking a passionate and innovative Commissioning Editor or Senior Commissioning Editor to contribute to Century's bestselling and wide-ranging non-fiction list. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our commercial non-fiction publishing, working closely with top-tier authors, agents, and lifestyle brands. If you have a keen interest in popular culture, a knack for identifying market trends and are hungry to generate ideas and turn them into a bestselling book we want to hear from you.

About the team

Century is one of the most successful and well-regarded commercial imprints in the UK and part of the Cornerstone division. Century Non-Fiction publish books from authors who are the very best at what they do, from a range of fields across popular culture. From online creators to traditional media stars, from British icons to world-leading figures, our aim is to publish books for the widest audience regionally, nationally and internationally. Our bestselling authors include online creators such as Simon Squibb, Hayley Morris and Dr Karan Rajan; acclaimed figures including Sir Gareth Southgate, Sir David Jason and astronaut Tim Peake; nationwide heroes such as Kevin Sinfield, Paul Mullin, Alex Scott and Lindsey Burrow; and global artists, actors, sportspeople and musicians including Banksy, Al Pacino, Barbra Streisand and Will Smith. We also love to publish books that hit a hot trend, such as The Secret Diary of Liam and Noel Gallagher. We're proud to publish books by leading brands including Soho House, Monzo, Mindful Chef and Patek Philippe.

The role

Reporting to the Editorial Director, this role is a chance to publish non-fiction across a varied commercial list, acquiring within a collaborative and entrepreneurial team. You will have a hunger to seek out new publishing opportunities and knowledge about what audiences want to read and how to reach them. You will be able to generate buzz, both internally and externally for your books and your list.

Key responsibilities:

• Soliciting, evaluating proposals and developing ideas for new books, and acquiring a set number of titles annually.
• Building and maintaining relationships with authors and agents for future acquisitions.
• Evaluating the viability and profitability of potential acquisitions.
• Staying informed about market trends and competitor activities to identify new opportunities.
• Handling negotiations and managing the editorial process for acquired titles.
• Developing a distinctive, personal commissioning style.
• Overseeing the internal book process, including editing, scheduling, cover design, liaising with Editorial Management, Production and Text Design
• Writing and updating high-quality copy and metadata to ensure book success.
• Collaborating with Sales, Rights, Marketing, and Publicity teams for successful book launches.

What you'll bring

This role would suit a Commissioning Editor looking to move sideways or an Editor with acquiring experience who his hungry to step up into a more senior position to expand your commissioning. We're also open to considering candidates from outside the Publishing industry, for example someone from an agency who has extensive experience working with high profile figures, media stars, and online creators. What is critical for this role is that you will have a truly commercial taste, and a genuine passion for pop culture and entertainment.

Essential criteria:

• Genuine interest in pop culture and entertainment.
• A self-starter who thinks entrepreneurially.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people.
• A confident negotiator who is not afraid to constructively challenge when required.
• Excellent personal organisation and time management skills, and the ability to handle competing priorities.

Preferred criteria:

• An established network of agents and/or talent managers.
• Editing experience up to and including Commissioning Editor role level.
• Curiosity and an informed optimistic outlook of the commercial non-fiction market.
• A delivery focused individual with experience of managing projects.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 9th February.

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.

Salary

From £34,545 to £44,000 dependent on which role you are appointed to, and how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and 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 - income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance
• Wellbeing - healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks
• Lifestyle - enhanced parental leave, 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 that you will attend the office in person 3 days a week. We are happy to discuss this further through the recruitment process.

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: The Random House Group Limited

Country: United Kingdom

State/Region: London

City: London

Postal Code: SW11 7BW

Job ID: 276721

Date: 27 Jan 2025

Location: