The Editorial Director will support the Publisher in the day-to-day running of the division, with a focus on helping to steer the editorial team and drive acquisitions and editorial strategy in conjunction with the Publisher.
The Editorial Director will be responsible for their own stable of authors across a range of commercial genres (including women’s fiction, crime and thriller titles), managing their books from pitch to publication. Team management will play a part of the role, and providing 1-2-1 support for some editorial team members is an important aspect of ensuring this busy division continues to deliver the excellent results it is renowned for.
Avon is a small but mighty team within HarperCollins, known for its market-leading commercial publishing, commitment to quality across all formats, and its supportive and welcoming team atmosphere. In 2020 Avon was recognised for excellence in its field when it won Imprint of the Year at the Nibbies.
Key Responsibilities
Support the Publisher in developing and driving editorial strategy for the division, ensuring growth targets are hit via expansion of the list across target areas, including the division’s publishing in the US and expansion of the Avon Originals list.
To help steer editorial strategy and deliver viable, creative, innovative publishing that is commercially successful, and contributes strongly to the division’s growth targets.
To work with the team to identify market trends and publishing opportunities, feeding these into the acquisition strategy for the list.
Day-to-day responsibility as editor for a roster of authors on the Avon list, with the potential to work across women’s fiction, crime, thriller, saga and historical, taking their books from pitch to publication and driving strategy for their publishing.
Acquiring new books for the list in line with divisional strategy and market trends.
To review, develop, maintain and deliver profitable publishing plans in line with divisional targets. To include setting and maintaining publishing schedules and responding to changing market needs as appropriate.
Management of some members of the Avon editorial team, taking responsibility for their day-to-day care, career progression and pastoral needs.
Work closely with HC’s international teams, particularly in North America, to prioritise Avon’s books in line with strategy and in-country trends.
Represent Avon internally and externally and deputising for the Publisher when necessary, championing our authors, books and team members at all available opportunities.
Continue to develop strong working relationships with agents across the industry, ensuring high quality submissions and new opportunities consistently come our way.
Maintain and encourage the highest standards from team members across the division.
Your First Six Months
Support the Publisher to continue the plans that have been set in train as part of the division’s three-year growth strategy, focusing in particular on opportunities for more publishing via the North American markets and expanding the Avon Original programme, leading the editorial team in acquiring and publishing further IP titles in line with current trends and gaps in the market.
Help to drive recontracts and acquisitions, with a keen eye on market trends and broadening your own stable of authors.
Provide the best possible author care, quickly developing close and productive working relationships across your own stable of authors, resulting in best-in-class editorial work and publishing.
Lead the editorial team in ensuring best-in-class publishing across all publications, providing support where needed.
Quickly develop a rapport with direct reports, providing help and support wherever necessary.
Drive an entrepreneurial spirit across the editorial team and wider division.
Work closely with the digi sales team to seek out new opportunities for our titles, continuing to give Avon the edge in a crowded market.
Rapidly gain an understanding of opportunities in the international markets, particularly North America, building close relationships with the 360 and Canadian teams that allows for continued collaboration and yields strong results.
Skills & Experience Required
Editorial experience working in commercial fiction, ideally across a range of genres
Negotiation experience
Experience of looking after a list of authors
Experience of running P&Ls
Commercial analysis skills – using market data to inform publishing decisions at list and title level
Understanding of book market, with proven experience of using Bookscan, Consumer Insight and available data to make strong publishing decisions
Understanding and experience of price, formats, creative costs to deliver on KPIs for individual books and at list level
Experience of skilfully managing key business relationships
Proven presentation and communication skills
Great interpersonal skills to be able to work with many stakeholders
A positive and can-do attitude
Experience of working in a busy and dynamic environment, and a clear ability to work well under continued time pressures
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 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 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 room
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to recruitment@harpercollins.co.uk 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.
