Senior Publicist, Harper North (12mths FTC)

Are you a publicist who thrives on working with authors of everything from crime and memoir to cookery and rom-com, building exciting campaigns for writers who excel in their fields – celebrities, broadcasters, politicians, historians and more? Do you love connecting books to readers across the nation, in print, online, at events and on the air? We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced publicist to join our Manchester-based Northern powerhouse team, working on books from writers across the north and taking them to national and international audiences.

If you’ve previously worked in-house at an agency or publisher, with experience working with talent ranging from big names to debut fiction, this could be the role for you! It’s a great time to join our team, who have celebrated numerous Sunday Times bestsellers this year across both fiction and non-fiction.

ABOUT HARPERNORTH

HarperNorth, the new Manchester-based imprint of HarperCollins, publishes fiction and non-fiction across the market with authors including Stuart Maconie, Sophie McCartney, Lisa Nandy, Scott Mariani and Nazir Afzal OBE. From crime to rom-com and memoir to history, we publish best-selling and chart-topping fiction and non-fiction to reach readers across the world. We are based just off St Peter’s Square near Manchester Library, and our office includes a roof terrace, free breakfast every day and frequent well-being activities including free manicures, massages and yoga sessions. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

• This is a new role, and you’ll have lots of autonomy to develop publicity campaigns that will reach far beyond the north, working across fiction and non-fiction

• You’ll aim for review and feature coverage of our brilliant books, and have a fabulous little black book of contacts in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, podcasts and online

• You’ll plan effective author events to raise their profile and generate sale

• You’ll work with the other HarperCollins teams based in London to communicate what we’re doing and widen the reach of the activity

• You’ll maintain relationships with key industry people and journalists, producers and new media contacts

• You’ll be an active voice, driving campaigns with your energy and expertise

ABOUT YOU

• You’ll have publicity experience, ideally in trade book publishing, and be able to bring your knowledge to generate innovative publicity campaigns

• You’ll have good contacts and know the UK media landscape and what drives book sales

• Working with authors, agents and managers, you’ll plan and execute events and tours

• You will show enthusiasm to find new and innovative ways to promote our books

• Strong relationship building skills are a must, and you’ll be at ease with agents and booksellers

• You will have excellent communication skills, ability to speak confidently and pitch ideas

If you think you’d be brilliant at the job but don’t quite match all the criteria, why not apply anyway and bring any questions you have with you.

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 

• 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 

• 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. 

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.