HarperCollins Publishers UK
Publisher, Mudlark & Smart Thinking
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Application Deadline: 22 July 2026
Department: Editorial
Location: London
Description
HarperNonFiction is looking for an experienced, ambitious and creative Publisher to head up their prestigious Mudlark imprint with oversight responsibility for the Smart Thinking list. Founded in 2018, Mudlark is home to some of the most buzzworthy non-fiction on the market, captivating readers and critics alike. From gripping, fast-paced history hits such as Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll to important works of investigative journalism such as Failures of State by Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott, and bestselling gift books such as This Way up by the Map Men, Mudlark publishes books that challenge conventional views, reveal hidden worlds, spark national conversations and entertain in equal measure, boldly championing the left-field and the literary, all while proudly embracing its commercial roots.
The Publisher will be responsible for developing long-term, profitable publishing plans across the imprints, encompassing backlist management and new-title development in line with the division's overall publishing strategy. The ideal candidate will have strong contacts with a wide range of literary agents and rights professionals both in the UK and across Europe and the US, plus a track-record of commercial success within the relevant genres. Detailed understanding of how to develop successful titles will be allied with a clear and informed view of how our books are best brought to market, promoted and sold.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, sitting on the HarperNonFiction Publishing Board and leading a talented team, you'll play a central role in shaping the future direction of the division and its publishing strategy.
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Key Responsibilities
- Work with the Smart Thinking Publishing Director to ensure each of the two profit centres has a clear identity and strategy, and each team member has a clear career development plan.
- Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated publishing strategy for the lists so the team can:
- Develop titles appropriate for the market in both UK trade and non-trade, international and rights. Focussing on all formats and titles with both frontlist and backlist potential. Acquire titles through both agent submission and self-driven ideas development.
- Ensure that titles are delivered in an appropriate and timely way with all costs controlled and to budget.
- Identify market trends and publishing opportunities through close contact with agents and talent managers.
- Deliver viable, creative, innovative publishing that is commercially successful and contributes strongly to the division's growth targets.
- Review, develop, maintain and deliver profitable publishing plans in line with divisional targets. To include creating and maintaining publishing schedules, responding to changing market needs as appropriate.
- Work closely alongside the Entertainment and Thorsons Publishers to oversee the complete Editorial team.
- Deputise for the MD & Publisher in chairing divisional meetings when necessary.
- Jointly run the divisional monthly Launch meeting.
- Jointly run the narrative teams’ weekly Editorial meeting.
- Liaise between sister companies within HarperCollins and News UK.
- Develop long-term relationships with authors and agents, plus News Corp journalists to secure future deals for HarperCollins in preference to competitors.
- Promote excellent author care.
- Manage and develop relationships with agents, talent managers and partners.
- Manage and develop strong internal relationships with key stakeholders, as well as contribute to:
- Ensuring strong and effective involvement of the Sales, Publicity and Marketing teams in each publication.
- Effective influence of sales, publicity and marketing plans through informed market knowledge.
- Working with the Sales, Publicity and Marketing teams to ensure the plans are acted on.
- Contribute to overall strategy of the HarperNonFiction business.
- Contribute to forecasting and budgeting process for the NonFiction business.
- Work with Production and Pub Ops to ensure titles run to critical path, and to maintain the schedule of publishing for all titles.
- Work closely with the senior team to maximise all opportunities afforded by world rights including Rights, Audio and Harper 360.
- Ensure titles have co-ordinated digital strategies and priority titles are pitched for promotions, and metadata is optimised.
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Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Robust experience of trade publishing experience at publisher level.
- First-class editorial expertise.
- Creative thinker willing to ‘think outside of the box’.
- Commercial risk taker but will change view if presented with relevant evidence.
- A team player with strong team management skills.
- Excellent communicator.
- Strategic vision.
- Strong business acumen.
- Strong organisation skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Proven track of entrepreneurial commissioning.
- Experience of establishing and developing effective business partnerships.
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