Key tasks and accountabilities

The key tasks of the role will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Commissioning and editing successful and profitable titles for the Farshore Picture Book and Non-fiction list
  • Building relationships with agents, with a view to bringing in the best talent to Farshore
  • Reading and responding promptly to agent submissions and pitching for projects
  • Demonstrating strong market knowledge and helping to develop market-focused publishing strategies
  • Maintaining strong relationships with existing authors and agents, providing regular updates on publishing strategy and sell-in
  • Pitching new titles at Publishing Strategy Meetings
  • Managing P&Ls and budgets for individual titles
  • Creating strategy documents for key titles, and presenting these to the wider team as required
  • Working closely with Production and Pub Ops teams to keep all titles on critical path
  • Writing cover and sales copy, and checking sales/marketing material, e.g. catalogues, sales presenters, etc.
  • Completing Advance Information sheets and inputting and managing metadata as required in line with critical path
  • Presenting titles at sales conferences, and other internal meetings
  • Negotiating deal memos and progressing contracts as required
  • Delegating effectively when required, supporting the growth and development of junior staff.
  • Skills required

  • Passionate about non-fiction and picture books for children of all ages

  • Extremely organised and efficient, able to juggle a large, varied workload

  • Outstanding editorial skills, including structural editing, copyediting, copywriting and proofreading

  • An ability to meet deadlines and a precise eye for detail

  • Confident communication skills both internally and externally

  • A creative and proactive approach

  • 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