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Join a trailblazing non-fiction team as an Editorial Director/Publishing Director at HarperNonFiction and shape the world of ideas
Overview
Salary
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Location
Expires
Expires at anytime
HarperNonFiction, a leading publisher in serious non-fiction, is seeking a dynamic Editorial Director/Publishing Director to join their Mudlark/Smart Thinking imprint. This role is a phenomenal chance to be part of a small, passionate team focused on delivering commercially successful books that matter in today's global conversation.
- Organization summary: HarperNonFiction is a division dedicated to publishing quality non-fiction across various genres. With a commitment to great writing and a finger on the pulse of global trends, the company looks to expand its influential list and continue its legacy of success.
- Role Summary:
- Acquire and publish 10-12 books annually in areas including business, economics, science, and politics.
- Identify and develop new talent, maintaining a keen awareness of international market trends.
- Collaborate with sales teams and international partners to maximize book sales across export channels.
- Manage the complete publishing process from contract negotiations to creative oversight.
- Role Requirements:
- Extensive experience in trade publishing with a proven editorial track record.
- Proven commissioning experience in serious non-fiction.
- Strong decision-making skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
- A well-connected individual with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong networking skills.
- Application Process Details:
- Applications are to be submitted through Applied, not via email.
- For queries, contact [email removed - click apply for more details] with 'Vacancy Query' and the job title in the subject heading.
HarperNonFiction offers an array of benefits including hybrid working, generous holidays, healthcare, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities. As a company concerned with social and environmental responsibility, HarperNonFiction is an exciting place for those passionate about making a difference through the written word.
Are you fascinated by global politics and current affairs? Do you want to help find the best new voices in history, smart-thinking, business and tech? Can you find and develop writers who believe ideas matter and want to help their readers make sense of the world? Do you know the brightest and best voices in global podcasts and digital media? Can you take an idea and help shape it into something relevant and spectacular? Do you want to join a small, fun, entrepreneurial team that cares passionately about great writing and commercial books?
HarperNonFiction are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and well-connected Editorial Director/Publishing Director to publish serious non-fiction across a range of genres, from smart-thinking and business, to history, pop science and tech. This is a brilliant opportunity to join a market-leading non-fiction team at a time when the list is looking to expand across a range of markets. The role is within the HarperNonFiction division, and the successful candidate will report into the Publisher for Mudlark/Smart Thinking.
The Role
Reporting to the Publisher, the Editorial Director/Publishing Director will acquire and publish approximately 10-12 books a year on to the Mudlark/Smart Thinking list, covering a range of serious non-fiction genres, including business and economics (biography, entrepreneurship, management and self-help), popular science, nature and ecology, history, and politics. With a strong focus on publishing expert-led books with strong international appeal across export channels, commissioning themes will also include geopolitics and international relations, AI and tech, sustainability and climate change, smart thinking, law and leadership.
Key tasks and accountabilities:
Commissioning and publishing a profitable list of high quality, market-leading serious non-fiction and smart thinking books
Identifying and cultivating new talent from a wide range of creative channels and developing new ideas for the list
Maintaining a strong eye on new market trends across home and international markets, and identifying key opportunities
Working closely with global sales teams in developing new ideas and generating strong sales across multiple export territories
Maintaining strong connections with both home and international contacts, including expert authors, editors, scouts, talent agents and literary agents
Full management of all parts of the publishing process: contract negotiations; structural editing; first-class creative oversight; liaising with authors and in-house editorial, design, production, sales and wider comms teams to deliver highly effective and best-in-class publishing
Working closely with the Publisher in strategy development, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, exploring sales opportunities (home, export and special sales)
Skills required:
Robust experience in trade publishing with first-class editorial expertise
Clear and demonstrable commissioning experience in the serious non-fiction market
Comfortable with taking responsibility and owning decisions (pushing for a book, even at a high advance)
Organised multi-tasker, who delivers briefs, edits and so on to schedule
Cross-company thinker: someone who can work across News Corp, when possible, to best effect
Aptitudes: Entrepreneurial thinker, commercial risk-taker, experienced list-builder; strong networker
Competencies: excellent communication, business acumen, organisational and analytical skills; detail orientated and cost aware
Disposition: Professional, innovative, collaborative and achievement-driven
 Benefits:
 Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
28 days holiday plus bank holidays
Private healthcare cover and life assurance
Summer HoursÂ
Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
Relocation Rent Support LoanÂ
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
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 roomÂ
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.
