Modern Poetry in Translation
Editorial Assistant
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Editorial Assistant for Modern Poetry in Translation (MPT)
Website link: https://modernpoetryintranslation.com/were-recruiting-editorial-assistant-modern-poetry-in-translation/
This is an exciting opportunity to join a historic and internationally important magazine in its seventh decade. Founded in 1965 by Ted Hughes and Daniel Weissbort, MPT is one of the world’s few magazines dedicated solely to poetry in translation. It publishes outstanding poetry, essays and reviews from around the world while building a diverse community of poets, translators and readers. MPT is a National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England.
Working closely with the Editor and MPT’s small part-time team, you will help produce two substantial print issues each year and contribute to the magazine’s digital programme, events and wider development. This is a varied, hands-on role with responsibilities across the editorial process, from reading submissions and commissioning work to contributor liaison, proofreading and production.
In this role you will:
- Support the Editor to produce two issues of MPT each year, including reading and selecting work submitted through Submittable and, with the Editor’s guidance, commissioning new work for print and online publication;
- Correspond with contributors, confirm permissions, organise contributor copies and liaise about fees, as well as receiving review copies and sending them to reviewers;
- Liaise with MPT’s freelance team and production partners, including the typesetter, cover artist, designer, printers and proofreader, and help prepare Nielsen information and proof print and online material;
- Support the Editor and digital team to develop MPT’s online and promotional programme, including reviews, MPT Labs, workshops and the translator-in-residence;
- Help develop an events programme, contribute to presentation, branding and marketing, and represent and promote MPT;
- Attend Board meetings as required, help ensure that Trustees have the information they need, and contribute with the Editor to MPT’s artistic vision and direction.
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We are looking for someone who can bring:
- Experience in publishing, editing, proofreading and copy-editing;
- A strong knowledge of poetry in translation internationally, and an understanding of the questions and responsibilities involved in translation;
- An excellent command of spoken and written English, with strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills;
- Sound judgement, good time management and organisational skills, and a collaborative approach to teamwork and events; and
- A commitment to MPT’s values, equality, diversity and inclusion, reaching new audiences, and the magazine’s digital development.
Key details:
- Fee: £6,750 per year, based on 50 days worked plus 5.4 days’ statutory holiday.
- Working pattern: The role includes concentrated periods of work before publication and events, alternating with quieter periods, and some irregular hours.
- Location and requirements: Home-based, with regular online meetings with the Editor and, where practicable, in-person meetings. The successful candidate must have their own PC and mobile telephone.
- Legal right to work in the United Kingdom: The successful candidate must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom and be able to attend up to 3 in-person events a year in the United Kingdom. (MPT can pay reasonable travel expenses within the United Kingdom for the purposes of attending such events but cannot ordinarily pay team members to travel to the United Kingdom.)
- Reporting to: Editor.
- Contract: A six-month probationary contract which may be extended to a two-year contract on a self-employed basis. Where its financial position allows, MPT’s policy is to seek further renewals in consecutive 12-month periods.
- Start date: As soon as possible, preferably by 1 October 2026.
- Closing date: 5pm (UK time), 31 August 2026.
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How to apply:
Please email your CV and a cover letter of no more than one page, explaining how you meet the Person Specification, to the Chair of Trustees, Andrew George, at chair@mptmagazine.com. Candidates are encouraged, although not required, to submit the Monitoring Form available below. Please also download the full Job Description and Person Specification for further information.
MPT champions equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of society. Appointments are made solely on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. MPT is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Please note: we do not accept the use of AI generated text in applications to this role. Everything in your application should be written by you, without use of generative AI.
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