Editor (Commissioning), Harlequin Enterprises (Mills & Boon)

Do you love Romance? Do you love Mills & Boon series fiction? We’re looking for an experienced fiction editor with a passion for romance!

Mills & Boon publishes high quality, branded romance fiction, available in print in WHSmith and Tesco or as ebook. This includes Mills & Boon Modern, True Love, Medical and Historical. Harlequin is a division of HarperCollins Publishers New York and is published under the Mills & Boon brand in the UK. More information is available at www.millsandboon.co.uk

We have an exciting opportunity for an Editor within the Global Series Acquisition, Harlequin UK team, reporting to the Senior Editor of Harlequin Medical and Harlequin Romance. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing 20-30 authors and editing their manuscripts for the four UK acquired series, (Medical, True Love, Modern and Historical) with a particular focus on commissioning and developing new authors, outreach to under-represented authors as well as supporting the packaging strategies of the Medical and Romance series.

Key Responsibilities

Imprint Management:

• Provide strong creative support to the Harlequin Medical and Romance team, working on creative packaging elements such as back cover copy and titles for the series, and contributing to in-house development of linked editorial projects.

• Develop and implement the company’s acquisition and build strategies and contribute innovative ideas in this process, including outreach to under-represented writers and writers’ organisations.

• Proactively recognise needs, opportunities and trends that will benefit the Harlequin Medical and Romance imprints

• Regular liaison with the production department, art department, marketing department, public relations; Direct-To-Consumer; Digital in both UK and North America.

• Represent the program/company at both internal and external conferences and on social media

• Provide mentoring and training to less experienced team members

Editing:

• Manage an author base across all UK-acquired series and elicit the highest quality of writing

• Perform editorial work on commissioned manuscripts including reading and evaluating proposals, providing revision suggestions to authors; line editing; preparation of ancillary book matter including back cover copy

• Ensure the ongoing and timely supply of high quality, saleable titles

• Maintain positive relationships with literary agents

Skills Required

• Demonstrable experience of author management, commissioning and editing commercial fiction and finding and developing new authors.

• Strong editorial skills, from manuscript revision to line editing to copy writing.

• Strong communication, organisation and editorial skills, including project management, planning and organising, teamwork and collaboration, negotiation skills and a drive for results.

• A solid understanding of the print and digital markets, particularly in the UK and North America.

• A high level of creativity/innovation, functional/technical knowledge, ability to take initiative.

• Strong social media skills.

• A passion for romance fiction.

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 [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