Penguin General has a rare opportunity for a highly organized, energetic and experienced editorial manager to join the team as Senior Editorial Manager. Starting in July 2024 to cover a period of parental leave, this wide-ranging role is pivotal within the division, with a high degree of responsibility for project management of titles across the division’s six imprints.  

About Penguin General 

Penguin General is one of the eight publishing divisions that make up Penguin Random House UK. There are six imprints at Penguin General: Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Business, Penguin Life, Viking and Sandycove. The latter is based in Dublin. Our broad family of authors ranges from world-class prize winners to emerging talent, including Zadie Smith, Richard Osman, Barack and Michelle Obama, Ben Macintyre, Dolly Alderton, Arundhati Roy, John le Carré, Meera Sodha, Stanley Tucci, Antony Beevor, Hanif Kureishi, Jonathan Coe, Ruby Wax and Emily Henry.  

General is made up of extremely talented colleagues, who set a high bar in terms of quality of output, and who take pride in their work and strive for both individual and collective success. We advocate a ‘learning mindset’: being curious and humble about what we don’t know in order to grow. We strive to create a working culture that is progressive, energizing and fun, where difference is valued. Colleagues are treated with respect, stretched to learn and develop their skills, and can turn up to work as their authentic professional selves.  

The Role 

Reporting to the Managing Editorial Director, you will manage the editorial process for allocated front-list Penguin titles, from receipt of text through to printing, as well as ensuring the timely delivery of manuscripts. You will have great attention to detail and excellent administrative skills, allowing you to utilize the freelance team to ensure that manuscripts are edited and proofread to the highest standards while at the same time meeting all our production schedules and providing exemplary author care. You will provide support to the Managing Editorial Director in the smooth running of the end-to-end publishing process for the division. 

A comprehensive understanding of the lifecycle of a text, from typescript to bound copy, is essential for this role, as is proven copy-editing and proofreading experience. You will be able to prioritize when working under pressure, to cope with a demanding and changing workload, and will be enthusiastic and passionate about Penguin’s publishing programme and values. The ability to work independently, confidently, and to use initiative to solve problems at speed, is critical for this position. 

Candidate Profile 

The ideal candidate will: 

• Be a skilled editorial manager with recent experience of managing titles of multiple formats and genres, and a proven track-record of successfully overseeing fiction and non-fiction, commercial and literary titles, and a strong understanding of their component parts, including indexing, referencing, maps and illustrations. 

• Have recent experience of managing colour titles successfully. 

• Have impeccable attention to detail, grammar, proofreading and spelling. 

• Possess excellent problem-solving abilities and the capacity to find solutions independently, creatively and calmly. 

• Have the capacity to cope with a high-volume and changing workload, ensuring a consistently high level of attention to detail and author care throughout the year. 

• Have established freelance contacts and the ability to supervise the work of copy-editors, proofreaders and indexers. 

• Have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills as they will often be the first point of contact for colleagues and authors, and will demonstrate strong diplomatic and teamworking abilities. 

• Have a complete understanding of the processes through which a text passes from typescript to bound copy, and an appreciation of the cost implications of each stage. 

• Have the ability to prioritize tasks when under pressure, and be capable of managing multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously to the highest of standards. 

This a real opportunity to represent the department and to shepherd some of the division’s most successful books to print. This role provides variety, responsibility and a chance to work collaboratively within a highly successful editorial team.  

Applications from editorial managers with several years’ experience of overseeing original titles across a range of genres, formats and subjects, are welcome. As a senior member of the team you will also deputize for the Managing Editorial Director if needed, chairing meetings and providing support, guidance and training for the wider team as required. Please note that this position does not bear any responsibility for commissioning and is not a route into an acquiring role. 

Application Instructions 

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by midnight on Tuesday 5th March.  

What you can expect from us

Salary: c. £45,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.   

Competitive benefits package:  

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.  

Our benefits include: 

Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan 

Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan 

Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books 

For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/ 

Hybrid working:  

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognize that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role there will be weekly office-based meetings and activities that you will need to attend. We are happy to discuss the balance of office working as part of the interview process. 

About Penguin: 

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone. 

The recruitment process:  

You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/ 

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. 

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request. 

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee. 

Company: Penguin Books Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW1V 2SA 

Job ID: 268394