Editorial Director/Publishing Director – Gift and Lifestyle, Harper NonFiction

Do you have an insatiable curiosity and a keen eye for spotting the next big thing? Do you love discovering new trends and voices from experts to influencers? Do you have hands-on experience of generating ideas for gift books and bringing them to life?

If you have a proven track record of success and are eager to play a more strategic role in the business, then we want to hear from you. HarperNonFiction are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and well-connected Editorial Director/Publishing Director who is full of ideas for popular, lifestyle-focussed non-fiction. This is a brilliant opportunity to join a market-leading non-fiction team at an exciting time of growth. The role is within the HarperNonFiction division, and the successful candidate will report into the Publisher for Thorsons and Lifestyle. Experience in IP is essential.

The Role:

Reporting to the Publisher, the Editorial Director/Publishing Director will help us identify market trends, discover new voices and work with the Publisher to develop strategies for growth with a focus on building our market share in lifestyle non-fiction and gift. For the right candidate, there is potential to lead the industry-leading IP and Gift list, planning, championing and executing a profitable publishing strategy. Acquiring illustrated and mono titles through both agented submissions and self-generated idea development, you will publish across the lifestyle and gift lists, covering a range of illustrated and practical non-fiction genres, including health, relationships, cookery, personal development, self-help, spirituality, parenting, gardening and gift.

Key Skills:

• Commission and publish a profitable list of high quality, market-leading lifestyle non-fiction.

• Identify and cultivate new talent from a wide range of creative channels and develop new ideas for the list

• Maintain a strong eye on new market trends across home and international markets, and identify key opportunities

• Ensure titles are delivered in an appropriate and timely way with all costs controlled and to budget

• Work closely with global sales teams in developing new ideas and generating strong sales across multiple export territories

• Maintain 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)

Key attributes:

• Robust experience with first-class editorial expertise in both mono and 4-colour publishing

• Clear and demonstrable commissioning experience in the lifestyle and illustrated non-fiction market with a track record of winning books at auction as well generating and pursuing ideas

• Comfortable with taking responsibility and owning decisions

• 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

Why join the HarperCollins NonFiction team?

• Reporting to the Publisher, Competitive Salary & Benefits, London based (hybrid)

• Opportunity to take ownership of a P&L and play a key role in developing the strategy for the list

• Creative freedom — Bring your ideas to life, backed by a supportive team and resources

• Industry Impact — Forge long-term relationships with authors, agents, and partners, securing future deals for HarperCollins

• Collaborative Culture — Work alongside passionate professionals who share your drive for achievement and innovation

  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.