HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
Assistant Editor
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Who we are and what we do
Launched in May 2024, Headline Press is home to thought-provoking books that challenge and inspire. Cementing Headline’s rapidly growing reputation for serious non-fiction with broad commercial appeal, the list focuses on politics and current affairs, history, smart thinking, popular science, and memoir. Our mission is to publish authentic, accessible, and authoritative voices, aimed at the widest possible audience.
What you'll be doing
We are looking for a highly organised, innovative, and creative self-starter to join the Headline Press editorial team in the key role of Assistant Editor.
Reporting to the Publisher and Editorial Director, you will be project managing our most high-profile and complex books on the Headline Press list from manuscript to final files. You will also have the opportunity to cut your teeth at commissioning in the serious non-fiction space. You will be involved in every stage in the life of a book – from developing concepts, creating pitches and writing engaging cover and sales copy, to managing titles through the publication process, including legal reads. A flexible attitude and good time management skills are essential, as is the ability to prioritise under pressure. Your day will involve lots of detail-oriented work, but there will also be plenty of opportunities to develop and stretch your commercial and creative muscles. You’ll liaise directly with authors, literary agents, read submissions, attend author events, and get stuck into manuscripts and copywriting.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
It’s a collaborative role which will see you working closely with staff in all other departments, contributing creatively to marketing and publicity plans, so you will need to be an outstanding communicator and solid team player.
Who we are looking for
You will have proven editorial experience, preferably in trade non-fiction. You will be:
- Highly organised and a good problem-solver
- Great at time management with the ability to prioritise a high workload, manage conflicting deadlines, and keep a cool head under pressure
- An excellent proofreader with a meticulous eye for detail
- A good communicator – diplomatic, and confident in chasing other departments, freelancers, and authors as necessary
- Motivated and enthusiastic, with a ‘can-do’ attitude
- Interested in a broad range of commercial non-fiction publishing including politics and current affairs, history, smart thinking, popular science, and memoir
- Competent in Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Biblio would be an advantage
- Passionate about current affairs, with your finger on the pulse of the latest trends
What we offer
Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:
- 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years' service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years' (+ bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Generous pension schemes
- Rent deposit loans
- 2 community days per year
- Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
- Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Wide-ranging training library
- Development programmes (including mentoring)
- Up to 70% off book purchases
- A charity bookshelf
- An active range of staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including AgeWise, Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing, Women in Tech, and religious networks
- Season ticket loans
- And much more!
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
The role will be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality, and socio-economic, regional, and cultural backgrounds.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, you can let us know at the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application. We’ll make sure you’re supported throughout the process.
The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking junior roles. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location