Job Title: Fiction Editorial Director

Department: Macmillan Children’s Books and First Ink

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Join our award-winning MCB and First Ink publishing team! As Editorial Director, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to grow our YA imprint First Ink. You will be able to inspire a new generation by publishing outstanding books for readers aged 6+, including middle grade, with a core focus on YA and crossover fiction.

Your team:

You will be an essential part of a passionate and creative team dedicated to publishing a diverse, engaging and dynamic list for readers. We have an exceptional list of authors and high-profile brands, which includes YA voices such as Tomi Adeyemi, Elle McNicoll, and Hafsah Faizal, middle-grade authors like M. G. Leonard, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Pari Thomson, and non-fiction from influential figures like Hamza Yassin, Marcus Rashford, and Dara McAnulty. And we have been publishing poetry at Macmillan for thirty years on our award-winning list.

Your role:

As Editorial Director, your primary responsibilities will revolve around managing our YA/crossover imprint First Ink; strategically growing the list, monitoring trends, acquiring competitively, and championing your books from idea to launch. You will work collaboratively with authors, agents, and internal teams to ensure the First Ink list reaches its full commercial potential and resonates with our readers.

Your key responsibilities:

• Competitively building the First Ink & MCB fiction lists: Identify and acquire new books for publication, working closely with authors, agents, and external partners to grow our middle-grade and YA list, including managing high-level auctions.
• Publish existing titles: Manage and support our existing book lists to ensure ongoing commercial success across global markets.
• Manage editorial stages: Edit your assigned titles at every single stage of production, from the initial structural layout down to the detailed line edit.
• Monitor market trends: Research and track industry trends to help inform our future book acquisitions and overall publishing strategies.
• Negotiate deals and contract terms: Draft, negotiate, and complete contract terms for new book acquisitions.
• Cross-functional teamwork: Partner closely with design, production, sales, rights, and communications teams to successfully launch and promote our books.
• Line management: Act as a direct line manager for assigned team members. You will be responsible for their day-to-day guidance, setting their individual goals, and helping them maximize their performance.

Essential experience, abilities, and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

• Children’s and YA expertise: Significant experience working within the publishing industry, and a genuine passion for children’s and YA literature, particularly for MCB and First Ink’s lists.
• Competitive negotiation skills: Proven success in managing high-level auctions and competitive negotiations.
• Commercial trend spotting: A commercially minded approach with a proven ability to identify, track, and react to market trends.
• Advanced editing skills: Proven experience completing structural edits, developmental edits, and line edits to a high standard, alongside experience adapting or editing US-originated books.
• Project management oversight: The ability to plan, track, and manage complex publishing projects effectively from start to finish, and a proven ability to organize, prioritize, and manage your workload to meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Clear communication style: Effective spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably and professionally.
• Publishing network connections: Established professional relationships with literary agents and a wide network within the broader publishing community.
• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
• Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
• Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.