Desk Editor - HQ Non-Fiction

HQ Non-Fiction is a young, award-winning imprint at HarperCollins. We pride ourselves on publishing books that are bold, brave, inclusive and always with a compelling story to tell. We publish books across a wide variety of subjects, and story and personal growth will always be at the heart of what we do. Sharing women’s stories that have hitherto never been told or helping readers navigate 21st century dilemmas is our mission. Our primary audience is women; specifically, smart, dynamic and curious women. And our primary objective is to create a truly diverse commercially successful list. Some of our recent best-selling authors include: Davina McCall, June Sarpong, Owen O’Kane, Joe Wicks, Claudia Winkleman, BOSH!, James Davies, Dr Amanda Brown and Stuart Sandeman.

The team are looking for a Desk Editor to take full desk editorial responsibility for a range of titles across all areas of the non-fiction list. This is not a commissioning role, but the position offers a rare opportunity for an accurate, organised, efficient and creative team player to step into a challenging editor’s role and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious collaborative team.

Core Responsibilities:

• Full desk-editorial responsibilities – overseeing copy-editing, proofreading, copywriting and writing text-design briefs for a range of non-fiction titles, including digital formats. Seeing titles through from manuscript to finished copies.

• Managing relevant editorial listings (AIS, Plan G Acquisitions, Metadata, P&Ls) to ensure accurate and up-to-date title/list information is available internally and externally.

• Copywriting, creating and checking sales/marketing material, e.g. catalogues, sales presenters, cover copy etc.

• Liaising with authors, illustrators and managing freelance copy-editors and proof-readers, ensuring plant costs are in line with the budget for each project.

•   To work closely with the production team, commissioner and pub ops manager to keep both mono and 4-colour illustrated titles on critical path.

• Briefing jackets and liaising with designers, seeing covers through from start to finish.

• Presenting titles at key stakeholder meetings.

• Work closely with the in-house Publicity & Marketing teams to ensure maximum exposure for authors and titles, according to agreed priority list To maintain strong relationships with authors and agents.

• Reading manuscript submissions, and reporting on these, noting market context.

• Supporting the commissioning team across the list under the Editorial Director’s guidance.

Experience Required:

• Strong desk-editorial and project management experience

• Exceptional copy-editing and proofreading skills

• Experience of typesetter briefing and illustrated book management

• Experience of structural editing which will be developed in the role

• Extremely organised, efficient and self-motivated

• Strong author care and interpersonal skills

• Focus on metadata

• Good design eye

• Budget management

• Editorial schedule management

• Good team player, willing to carry through projects

• Global thinker – someone able to think 'beyond the book' and help us develop digital, international and audio sales

• Excellent communicator

• Detail-orientated and cost-aware

• Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign

  Benefits:

• Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office) 

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days) 

• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave 

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance 

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal 

• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme 

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC 

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes 

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers 

• Gym membership discount 

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only) 

• Charitable donation matching and volunteering day 

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company 

• Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books 

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts 

• Onsite prayer room 

  If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition Manager at [email removed - click apply for more details] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.