Assistant Editor, Bloomsbury Wildlife

ASSISTANT EDITOR, Bloomsbury Wildlife

The opportunity

Bloomsbury Wildlife is the world’s leading publisher of natural history books. Its list includes general trade titles featuring authors such as Chris Packham, Kate Bradbury, Steve Backshall, Sophie Pavelle and Jini Reddy, as well as specialist natural history works in the Helm, Bloomsbury Naturalist, British Wildlife Collections and Poyser imprints, and much else besides.

This is an opportunity for a creative, enthusiastic and highly organised individual to join the editorial team at Assistant Editor level. The role will provide administrative and organisational support for the rest of the team. It will also involve the development of editorial and project-management skills in an exciting and wide-ranging role, involving managing a small number of titles through the editorial process to publication, with this requiring liaison with authors, freelance editors, photographers, illustrators, designers and in-house colleagues.

Working closely with the senior editorial team, this is a brilliant opportunity for an ambitious and talented editorial assistant or assistant editor keen to take the next step in their publishing career.

The role

• Administrative support for the rest of the Natural History team, working across both trade and specialist titles
• Ensuring records and metadata are up to date in our title management system, Biblio
• Maintaining the publishing schedule, making changes as agreed in meetings and at the request of the commissioning team
• Organising and assisting editors with the creation of Advance Information sheets, catalogue copy, book fair materials and cover copy
• Supporting other members of the editorial team administratively
• Project-managing a small number of titles across the trade and specialist imprints through the editorial process, from acquisition to publication
• Briefing and managing freelance copy-editors, proofreaders and designers, including cover designers
• Liaising with authors, designers, illustrators and editors, collating comments and ensuring final files are ready for press on budget and on schedule
• Assisting with team-wide projects, such as development of new procedures
• Attendance at trade shows and conferences, and other industry events

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Meticulous attention to detail with strong organisational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong proofreading and copy-editing skills
• Editorial experience in project management advantageous
• Experience of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Basic knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator helpful but not essential
• Interest, experience or knowledge of the natural world an advantage (but not essential)

Additional information

The role is a full-time permanent position.

The role will be based at our London office at 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP, though we will consider applicants who wish to work at our Oxford office (Kemp House, Chawley Park, Cumnor Hill, Oxford, OX2 9PH) on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are Mondays and Tuesdays.

As an Assistant role, this position is eligible for Bloomsbury’s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme. To assist candidates who want to start and to establish a career in publishing, Bloomsbury offers an interest-free rental deposit to support securing somewhere to live. The rental deposit loan can be up to £3,000 and will be paid back over 2 years.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘APPLY NOW’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 5pm on 14th March 2023.

Bloomsbury reserves the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday

Other Benefits:

Two paid Personal Wellness Days

Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 45 minutes earlier in the week

Season Ticket Loan

Sharesave Scheme

In-house Doctor

Eyecare Voucher Scheme

Company culture – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom (BAME), Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 9 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.