Penguin Random House UK
Editorial Director, Century Fiction (9-month FTC)
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We are looking for an experienced fiction editor to join the Century Fiction imprint of Cornerstone. This is a fixed term contract starting in December 2026, to cover a period of parental leave.
The opportunity will suit a knowledgeable, highly organised and strategic candidate who will relish the opportunity to edit, manage and publish a standout list of commercial fiction titles, leading the publishing process and aligning cross-functional teams to launch and bring to market some of the most exciting fiction titles of 2027.
This is a brilliant opportunity to expand your publishing skills and to gain strategic and managerial experience while being a key part of a high performing, focused and passionate team that publishes lots of bestselling titles and brand authors each year.
About the team
Century is one of the most successful and well-regarded commercial imprints in the UK. On the fiction side, we’re honoured to include James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Lisa Jewell, Anthony Horowitz, Paige Toon, Philippa Ashley, LJ Ross and Tom Hindle on our list.
The role
As our Editorial Director, you will work on all aspects of Century Fiction’s publishing. You will manage the imprint’s publication schedule, acquire new authors, some of whom may be self-published or you might engage in IP projects, and you will also be responsible for a large and growing list of fiction titles with approx. 12 authors including such bestselling authors as Paige Toon, Tom Hindle, Karen M. McManus, Katie Flynn and Amanda Cassidy, all of whom regularly deliver a book a year.
Key responsibilities:
- Take responsibility for the publishing of a portfolio of bestselling commercial fiction across every stage of the publishing process from acquisition through to publication.
- Lead the publication of two exciting break-out crime authors, and publish key repeating brand authors, Tom Hindle, Paige Toon and Katie Flynn.
- Lead structural and primary editing where appropriate, bringing strong editorial judgement alongside excellent publishing expertise.
- Maintain outstanding author care and build strong, long-term relationships with authors and agents.
- Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Publicity, Rights and other departments to develop ambitious and effective publishing campaigns.
- Shape and deliver publishing strategy for your list, contributing to longer-term planning, annual objectives and commercial growth.
- Act as an internal and external ambassador for Century Fiction and represent the imprint across the publishing industry.
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What you’ll bring
Cornerstone is a goal-orientated division with a clear commitment to high performance at every level. We embrace the following qualities. If this way of working resonates with you, you are likely to succeed as part of our team.
- You bring bold curiosity, question the status quo and take smart, commercially driven risks.
- You deliver with pace, resilience and a growth mindset, while collaborating to achieve high impact.
- You build strong, inclusive relationships with authors, agents and colleagues, and contribute to a culture of openness and belonging.
Essential criteria:
- Significant commercial fiction publishing experience with a track record of best-in-class publishing.
- Sound commercial judgement, creativity and editorial flair, combined with a proven ability to prioritise work effectively, run a team and keep books on schedule and within budget.
- Highly organised, proactive, with strong attention to detail, excellent communication and time-management skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- An in-depth understanding of publishing processes, with experience of structural and primary editing, as well as overseeing books from acquisition to publication, alongside a commitment to maintaining a high level of author care.
- Curiosity and passion for a broad range of genre fiction, including crime, thriller, romance and saga, with the editorial expertise and judgement to contribute to every aspect of Century Fiction's publishing list.
- Confidence working with high-profile authors, with strong relationships with authors and agents across the industry.
- Comfort acting as an internal and external ambassador for Century Fiction and working closely with other departments to develop energetic and effective campaigns.
- A deep understanding of the publishing landscape and marketplace, including retailers, media, audiences and competitors.
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Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 16th August.
Please ensure you include a cover letter (in pdf format), as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
Salary
c. £55,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will be in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Use of AI tools
Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
The recruitment process
You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.
We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.
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