Editor, HQ Non-Fiction

Introduction to the role

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. The team are looking for an Editor to edit and oversee books from initial concept to finished product. Subjects cover all areas of trend-led and commercial publishing, narrative memoir, pop culture, entertainment, cookery, gift and lifestyle.

 The editor should be creative, entrepreneurial, and dynamic, and able to demonstrate excellent commercial instincts, strong desk editing skills and a meticulous eye for detail.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

• Support the HQ Non-Fiction commissioning team on a range of books, ensuring that the publication process is carried out to the highest standards of quality and accuracy, to budget and within deadline

• Prepare cover briefs, write cover copy and information sheets, and check proofs

• Copywrite and check sales and marketing materials, e.g. catalogues, presenters

• Research and prepare pitch presentations for new business, including liaising with designers internally and externally

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

• Manage budgets, schedules and critical paths

Manage relevant editorial listings (AIS, BIC, Acquisitions, P&Ls) to ensure accurate and up-to-date title/list information is available internally and externally

Skills required

• Demonstrable editorial experience in commercial non-fiction books, both black and white and illustrated titles

• Strong and active interest in social media and digital developments within the industry

• Proven copy editing and proof-reading skills

• A good eye for detail

• Strong visual awareness

• Organised with the ability to prioritise and manage workload, and ability to deal with a mixture of long and short-term demands

• Excellent communication skills (presentation) and strong written skills (catalogue and cover copy)

• Financial awareness. Full familiarity with budgeting and cost-control processes in relation to specific projects and lists

• Highly self-motivated

• A good team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and carry through projects

• Passion for innovative publishing, meaningful content and beautiful books

• Liaise with authors, artists and agents and manage freelance copyeditors and proof-readers

• Keep abreast of current publishing trends and market dynamics, as well as displaying intuition about future trend developments

• Ownership of your stable of authors, seeing their books through to publication for physical, digital and audio editions

Benefits 

Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office) 

28 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 

Summer Hours  

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 

Relocation Rent Support Loan  

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  2 volunteering days 

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.