Associate Editorial Director, Custom Publishing

Associate Editorial Director, Custom Publishing

The opportunity

Bloomsbury Children’s Books is the home of a flourishing picture book and illustrated non-fiction list, packed with best-selling and award-winning books for younger readers. We are proud to publish books that children love, and that parents and teachers trust, in a friendly, creative and stimulating environment. We now have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Editorial Director, Custom Publishing to join our dynamic and ambitious team.

The role

This newly-created role would suit candidates with proven experience of working independently to create bespoke colour-illustrated product for a range of customers, in the UK and internationally, both for Export and Rights markets.

A core member of the illustrated publishing team, key responsibilities of the role include:

• Optimising our backlist to devise, edit and see through to publication market-appropriate non-trade and special sales products
• Working closely with production team to create profitable market-appropriate product and to develop new format ideas
• Working with the Head of Illustrated Publishing to develop our partnership publishing
• Working with and managing workflow for freelance creatives
• Commissioning new work from writers and illustrators, and liaising with brand-holders, as required

Knowledge, skills and experience

The successful candidate will be imaginative and collaborative, with an entrepreneurial mindset and a keen eye for a deal. They will be well-organised, with excellent communication skills and a demonstrable ability to turn current trends into exciting publishing opportunities. They will likely be from an editorial background, possibly with some experience in the licensing sector, but certainly with experience of creating custom product on tight deadlines.

Additional information

The role is a three day/week part-time permanent position based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 1 day office based / 2 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office day for this role is: Monday or Tuesday (tbc)

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by Wednesday 3rd May 2023.

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• hybrid working pattern of: 1 day office based / 2 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday (pro-rata)
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday

Other Benefits:

Two paid Personal Wellness Days

Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week (full-time only)

Season Ticket Loan

Sharesave Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eyecare Voucher Scheme

Company culture – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom (BAME), Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 9 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.