Commissioning Editor, Digital First

Job Description

Reporting to: Managing Editor

Location: 5th Floor, HYLO, 105 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8LZ

Working pattern: Hybrid - minimum of two days per week in the office; up to three days per week working from home

Department: Digital First

Imprint: 12Point Audio and Embla Books

Salary: £36,000 - £39,000 per annum, depending on experience

General Summary

12Point Audio and Embla Books, the home of digital first commercial fiction and nonfiction at Bonnier Books UK, are looking for a passionate, highly-organised and proactive digital commissioning editor with an emphasis on commercial titles to work alongside the Audio Managing Editor of Digital First and the Senior Commissioning Editor of Embla Books to spot, attract and seek out new and existing talent as well as deliver exceptional publishing.

The Digital First department of BBUK is newly found but is already making a splash in the market. Embla Books launched in Autumn 2021 and quickly established itself as a highly innovative and leading digital-first imprint, with a strong track record of creating bestsellers and establishing author brands with authors like Dandy Smith, Patricia Wolf and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. 12Point Audio launched in 2021 as well, becoming the home of innovative and compelling audio content across all genres, from children’s classics and educational non-fiction to true crime stories and thrilling fiction.

We’re looking for a creative and driven commissioning editor to acquire books across a range of fiction and non-fiction genres, including thrillers, adventure, military and exploration. The successful candidate will make a significant contribution to the development of both lists at this key stage of their growth, nurturing and confidently publishing our existing authors, acquiring stand-out titles, developing trend-led IP and contributing towards making the Digital First department a destination for all things digital.

This is a perfect next step for an experienced, hard-working assistant editor, editor or commissioning editor with a demonstrable passion for audiobooks, commercial fiction and nonfiction as well as a network of agents, authors and key industry figures. They would be a collaborative team player and combine a keen eye for detail with high editorial standards along with plenty of ideas, enthusiasm and energy. They will enjoy working closely editorially with authors, leading the publishing of their books and inspiring the broader team.

Key responsibilities

• Commissioning 6-8 books a year for 12Point Audio.

• Commissioning 10-12 books a year with a particular focus on trend-leading commercial fiction with broad appeal for Embla Books.

• Working with the Embla editorial team on the publication of existing Embla authors - from author care and administrative duties to editing, project-managing and desk-editing - including taking sole responsibility for a number of titles.

• Adding to an existing network of authors, agents and scouts.

• Being part of a closely-knit team and contributing to list strategy.

• Managing relationships with other departments, including sales, marketing, publicity, rights, design and production.

Qualifications and Experience

• You will be a passionate reader of commercial fiction and nonfiction with exceptional taste and strong commercial instinct.

• You will have at least two years’ experience within a trade publishing team.

• Excellent project management skills, ideally with experience of desk editing and successfully steering books from acquisition to publication.

• Self-motivated with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload to meet multiple deadlines.

• Exemplary attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• An interest in learning and developing skills within a fast-paced, energetic and outward-looking department.

• A keen understanding of the digital and mass markets.

Company Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Lively social committee hosting regular events
• Group Life cover - including 24-hour GP service
• Company-funded gym membership for all trade staff
• Comprehensive staff training and mentorship programmes
• Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment
• Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service – and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10th year at BBUK
• Enhanced family leave - with equal six months’ paid leave for all new parents
• Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families
• Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure
• Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on-site at our London HQ
• Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office

If you are interested in this role, please apply via our website. We look forward to hearing from you.