Publicity Assistant - Harper Fiction

HarperCollins is one of the UK’s foremost, diverse and innovative multi-platform publishers. We publish a wide range of books, from cutting-edge contemporary fiction, to block-busting thrillers and from fantasy literature to children’s literature and enduring classics. We also publish a great selection of non-fiction titles, including history, celebrity memoirs, biographies, popular science, dictionaries, maps, reference titles and education books, and our digital business is thriving. With nearly 200 years of history, we publish some of the world’s foremost authors, from Nobel prize-winners to worldwide bestsellers. In addition, we also publish the works of Agatha Christie, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the publicity team as PR Assistant within HarperFiction to work on and support innovative campaigns for some of the leading names in fiction. HarperFiction is home to two of the UK’s most successful publishing estates in Agatha Christie and J. R.R. Tolkien, as well as to some of the UK’s biggest brands in George R. R. Martin, Cecelia Ahern, Karin Slaughter, and chart-topping debuts in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, How To Kill Your Family, Girl A and literary imprint, The Borough Press. HarperCollins UK in turn is part of a global business within HarperCollins Worldwide and News Corp.

 Responsibilities:

• Providing administrative and campaign support for the PR Director on some of our highest profile books

• Playing a key part in our events programme designing assets, promoting on social and managing the events newsletter

• Supporting the PR Director and publicity team at launches and author events

• General admin support for the publicity team and taking the initiative in the day to day running of the team and department

• Helping to manage social media pages across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, coming up with original and engaging content

• Engaging with online communities and helping to build relationships with reviewers

• Writing, designing and distributing press releases and promotional material

• Working closely with other members of the publicity team, managing elements of author campaigns where relevant

• Being the main point of contact for pr queries for HarperFiction

• Responsible for the production of the media catalogue

• Helping manage our e-book database and support on e-book strategies

Key Skills/Experience:

• A passion for commercial fiction – from general fiction and crime and thriller, to literary and fantasy

• Knowledgeable across a wide range of social media channels and trends

• Some design skills using Canva, Photoshop or InDesign and ability to create relevant and engaging content

• A team player with excellent communication and people skills at all levels

• Innovative and creative

• Plenty of initiative

• Strong attention to detail

• Fantastic organisation skills and ability to prioritise work effectively

• Ability to work under pressure

• Some experience working with the media and events would be advantageous

Desirable but not essential:

• Any publishing or publicity experience

Benefits:

• Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office) 

• 26 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 

• 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 

• 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 volunteering day 

• 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.