Editorial Assistant, Non-Fiction

HarperNonFiction is one of the leading commercial Non-Fiction publishing divisions in the UK, with a huge range of bestselling authors, and we are looking for two creative, organised and driven individuals to join our Editorial teams, working across our narrative non-fiction (Mudlark) and Smart Thinking lists and our Entertainment and Element lists. This is brilliant opportunity to join an exciting and vibrant non-fiction team, whose recent successes include some of the leading non-fiction titles in the market – from Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll to How We Fish by Paul Whitehouse and from TV by Peter Kay, Cher: the Memoir by Cher and Hope by Niall Harbison. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to work on fresh and exciting books across a range of genres and help contribute to a unique list that has huge ambitions in the non-fiction market. As an editorial assistant, you will facilitate the smooth running of the department and provide administrative and editorial support to the team, and there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to develop their editorial skills, progress new book ideas, and be part of a small but mighty non-fiction imprint that publishes some of the most exciting books on the market.

Key tasks and accountabilities

• Day-to-day editorial and administrative support

• Researching the book market as required, including Bookscan, retailer visits and competitor research

• Assisting with author pitches and presentations

• Reading and reporting back on a selection of submissions

• Liaising with authors and agents where necessary

•   Writing rejection letters and responding to letters from the public

• Drafting book jacket copy, book cover briefs and other new title related documents

• Drafting catalogue copy and ensure sales copy across the list has been uploaded in line with metadata schedule

• Acting as main point of contact for internal and external teams and stakeholders, providing them with the relevant materials and chasing responses where necessary

• Occasional picture research

• Processing invoices and other financial documents

• Minuting team meetings and providing support for Launch Meetings

• Ordering author copies and departmental stock

• Submitting prize submissions

• Helping with managing reversion requests

Skills required

• Excellent grammar, proofreading and copywriting abilities

• Creative flair and visual sensitivity

• Excellent organisational skills

• Intermediate computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook

• Ability to multitask effectively, take initiative and hold responsibility of tasks assigned

• Flexible and adaptable

• A proactive team player with a positive outlook

• Focused and astute

• Approachable and professional

• A confident communicator

• Commercially minded and able to think outside the box of traditional trade publishing

  Benefits

  • Hybrid working model (3 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, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work

  • 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

  • Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)

  • With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire

  • Free e-books and audiobooks, digital 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/

  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.