Assistant Editor, 4th Estate

4th Estate is one of the most innovative and eclectic imprints in the industry, with a reputation for publishing a wide variety of prize-winning, beautifully-produced and bestselling titles. We seek to champion voices from across the world and to help them spark ideas, make change and shape the cultural conversation. Our books will move, enrich, challenge and inspire. We pride ourselves on publishing the finest books for the independent reader.

From fiction to memoir, cookery to topical non-fiction, we are proud to publish a world class list of authors. We made history by publishing Hilary Mantel‘s Booker Prize-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, which made her the first woman and first British writer to win the award twice. We are the home of beloved, bestselling authors such as Jon McGregor, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jonathan Franzen, Elizabeth Day, Monica Heisey and Nigel Slater. Our office bookshelves teem with classics from essential writers like J.G. Ballard, Joan Didion, Penelope Fitzgerald and Doris Lessing. We are proud to publish some of the most thrilling emerging voices at work today such as Cecile Pin, Yomi Adegoke and Jia Tolentino.

An exciting opportunity has arisen at 4th Estate for an enthusiastic Assistant Editor to join this close-knit imprint to support the Publisher and Publishing Director in their publishing of a broad range titles, from literary to crossover fiction and literature in translation to political non-fiction. Prior publishing or transferrable experience is required making this a great opportunity for any existing assistants or people in other roles in the industry wishing to develop and progress in editorial. We are looking for someone who is hungry to learn, passionate about literature and ideas, fascinated by the publishing and media landscape, who combines creative flair with an eye for detail and is excited to contribute to the future of this leading imprint.

Key tasks

• Working closely with the Publisher and the Publishing Director in their publishing and on key author relationships

• Managing all aspects of production on their list of fiction, translated fiction and non-fiction titles, seeing them through the publication process while keeping to the critical path

• Reading and reporting on submissions from agents, evaluating commercial and literary potential

• Liaising with authors, agents and freelancers on individual projects

• Liaising with colleagues across Sales, Marketing and Publicity to help promote our titles

• Contributing to edits on fiction and non-fiction manuscripts

• Drafting cover copy and cover briefs and preparing Advance Information sheets

• Editorial admin, such as proof mailings, processing invoices, royalty queries, progressing contracts and clearing permissions

• Managing records and metadata across frontlist and backlist titles

• Providing admin support to the Publishing Director

• Engaging with the publishing industry, current events and the literary and media landscape to contribute fresh ideas to our publishing

What you’ll bring

• Passion for a wide range of literature, voices and ideas

• Demonstrable prior editorial, publishing or transferrable experience

• You will be highly organised, efficient, adaptable and able to work well under pressure

• You’ll be reliable with an ability to juggle competing priorities to support the Publishers in delivering best-in-class publishing and author care

• Strong knowledge of the market in literary fiction and non-fiction

• Confident and effective communication skills to work with authors, agents and colleagues

• A love of working with writers, thinkers and translators

• A proactive approach combining a meticulous eye for detail with creative flair

• A desire to contribute to the future of the list

Desirable

• Experience of providing editorial feedback or editing

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 

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit  https://www.btbs.org/

HarperCollins is committed to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging and creating a place to work that better represents all communities, where everyone from any background or identity feels included, respected, can thrive to reach their potential and can be themselves.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, please submit a CV with a cover letter (in one document) by midnight on Sunday 22nd October. Within your cover letter, please tell us, in no more than 200 words, about a fiction or non-fiction book you read recently that has inspired you.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to [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.