Orion Publishing Group
Editorial Assistant
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Who we are and what we do
Weidenfeld & Nicolson is one of the most prestigious and long-standing imprints in the history of British publishing. Our books are agenda-setting, award-winning, best-selling and genre-defining. Since its inception in 1949, W&N has been widely recognised for its commitment to and track record of excellence in non-fiction publishing. In recent years, the imprint’s illustrious history has been reanimated by a new commissioning team, who have delivered multiple unmissable publications, and become known for their agility, ambition and dynamism.
Our authors include Antony Beevor, Sarah Brooks, Oliver Bullough, Ed Caesar, Clare Chambers, Elinor Cleghorn, Naoise Dolan, Ian Dunt, Gillian Flynn, Helen Garner, Georgi Gospodinov, Madeleine Gray, John Higgs, Andrew Holgate, Bettany Hughes, Greg Jenner, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Hettie O’Brien, Michael Palin, Adam Rutherford, Philippe Sands, Bernhard Schlink, Quentin Tarantino, Petroc Trelawny, Alice Walker and Malala Yousafzai.
What you'll be doing
As a member of the editorial team, you'll be playing an important role in the journey of Weidenfeld & Nicolson's titles (as well of those of our sibling imprints, White Rabbit and Phoenix) from acquisition to publication.
You’ll be providing administrative support across the commissioning team, including but not limited to:
- Organising departmental meetings (including Editorial) – coordinating diaries, managing room bookings, compiling and circulating agendas and taking minutes
- Coordinating literary prize submissions across the three imprints
- Collating and reviewing copy for biannual publicity catalogues
- Organising mailouts for proofs and finished copies
- Arranging delivery of contractual copies for authors and agents
- Processing invoices and expenses
- Submitting titles from across the list for ebook and audio promotions
- Coordinating regular and ad-hoc departmental presentations
- Clearing special sales deals for backlist titles
- Offsetting second formats for two commissioning editors (and for backlist reissues)
- Day-to-day support in the London office including arranging couriers, booking meeting rooms, escorting visitors around the building and helping at author events.
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These are the essential requirements of the role, however not an exhaustive list of duties. The list is intended to reflect the nature, range, and context of the work, which will change over time.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a highly efficient and organised individual with a proactive, can-do attitude. As the administrative bedrock of the publishing team, you'll be responsible for making sure meetings, processes and communication channels are running smoothly, so we're looking for someone with a proven ability to prioritise, use their initiative and work calmly under pressure. The successful candidate will be:
- Genuinely interested in literary fiction and serious non-fiction
- Enthusiastic and proactive, with a problem-solving attitude
- A confident and thoughtful communicator
- Interested in processes and systems
- Eager to learn
- Highly organised, with a proven ability to prioritise your own work as needed to meet deadlines
- Able to demonstrate excellent grammar, spelling and written communication skills
- Able to stay calm under pressure and have the awareness to ask for support when needed.
Previous experience in an administrative role would be preferred but not required, as would previous experience with the Biblio platform.
What we offer
Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:
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- 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!
The role will be based at our London 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
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