Job Description

Company Description

We are looking for a Head of Audio Content to join Penguin Random House Audio on a 12-month parental leave cover contract, leading our distinctive BBC Audio publishing programme.

About the Team

At Penguin Random House Audio, we’re the UK’s leading audiobook publisher, dedicated to creating exceptional listening experiences for audiences everywhere. Working with some of the world’s most exciting authors, narrators and creative talent, we publish bestselling and award-winning audio across every genre.

BBC Audio is a distinctive and important part of our publishing. Working in partnership with the BBC, we bring outstanding BBC content to listeners around the world, publishing across an extensive catalogue of radio drama, comedy, factual programming, children's content and much more. Alongside developing new releases, we explore the extraordinary breadth of BBC Radio output and its archive, finding creative and commercially compelling ways to bring both familiar favourites and hidden gems to new audiences.

The Role

Reporting to the Publishing Director, the Head of Audio Content is responsible for the commissioning and delivery of BBC Audio publishing, combining strong editorial judgement and commercial awareness with excellent relationship management.

You will identify publishing opportunities across current BBC Radio output and the BBC archive, developing publishing ideas and curated collections that connect brilliant content with audiences. You will work closely with key contacts across the BBC, as well as colleagues in sales, marketing and the wider PRH Audio team, to build a commercially successful and distinctive publishing programme.

You will also line manage one member of the editorial team, providing clear direction, support and development while maintaining high editorial and delivery standards across the list.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver a distinctive BBC Audio publishing programme, developing and commissioning compelling titles, collections and publishing strands across current BBC output and its extensive archive, with a clear understanding of audience and commercial opportunity.
• Build strong relationships with key BBC stakeholders, working collaboratively to identify opportunities and bring projects successfully to publication.
• Line manage and support one editorial colleague, setting clear priorities and supporting their development.
• Use sales performance, market trends, audience insight and financial information to inform commissioning decisions, identify opportunities for growth and ensure publishing supports our financial goals.
• Work collaboratively across PRH Audio, including with sales and marketing colleagues, to ensure publishing is effectively positioned and reaches the widest possible audience.
• Oversee the extensive BBC Audio catalogue through re-publishing, re-jacketing and metadata optimisation, identifying opportunities to regenerate titles and maximise long-term catalogue performance.
• Oversee the delivery of the BBC Audio programme, ensuring projects are well managed, commercially viable and delivered on time and to a high standard.