Publishing Director, Fiction

Department: Macmillan Children’s Books

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Are you a talented fiction editor with a keen eye for graphic novels, illustrated fiction & YA? Join our award-winning MCB and First Ink publishing team! As Publishing Director, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to grow our award-winning fiction list. You will be able to inspire a new generation by publishing outstanding books for readers aged 6+ up to YA/crossover, with a core focus on graphic novels and illustrated 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 John Patrick Green, 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 Publishing Director, your primary responsibilities will revolve around acquiring competitively and creatively into a fast-moving market, leading the growth of the graphic novel and illustrated fiction list, and championing your books from idea to launch. You will work closely with the Publisher on the growth strategy of the fiction list and have management responsibilities.

Your key responsibilities:

• Acquisition & list development: Creatively seek out and commission promising authors to expand and diversify the list, ensuring alignment with the overarching growth strategy for the fiction list with a particular focus on graphic novels and illustrated fiction.
• List direction & profitability: Lead the graphic novels and illustrated fiction list, enhancing its appeal and profitability.
• Strategy & growth: Work closely with the Fiction & Non-Fiction Publisher to develop and implement a fiction publishing strategy that aligns with MCB’s growth objectives.
• Relationship building: Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with authors, illustrators, agents and industry contacts.
• Market awareness: Champion a culture of consumer and trend awareness within the team, using your up-to-date knowledge to inform publishing decisions and ensure a competitive edge.
• Team management: Manage direct reports, ensuring regular catch-ups to monitor and support performance.
• Inclusion & diversity: Embed DEI principles in publishing practices and champion a culture of inclusivity within all aspects of book acquisition and development.

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’s 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.
• Publishing network connections: Established professional relationships with literary agents and a wide network within the broader publishing community.
• Commissioning & commercial success: A track record of acquiring profitable children’s and YA titles through creative, proactive acquisition strategies.
• Industry reputation & relationship management: Exceptional author and agent care, paired with extensive experience collaborating across internal publishing teams.
• Mentorship & development: Proven experience mentoring junior team members, driving their growth and supporting high-performing editorial teams.
• 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 working environment.
• Curiosity: A genuine drive for continuous learning and a readiness to embrace fresh ideas and experimentation.
• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.