Senior Commissioning Editor, Bloomsbury Cookery and Lifestyle – London

Bloomsbury Lifestyle publish cookbooks and books for living well that are top quality and commercially relevant. Our cookery includes market leaders like Dishoom, brand authors like Tom Kerridge and Paul Hollywood, and compelling new voices like Olia Hercules and Original Flava. Our books for living range from stylish concept-led books by writers like Niki Segnit and Nick Hayes through to timely IP gift and lifestyle books. 

We are looking for a Senior Commissioning Editor to commission across the list. They will have proven experience of commissioning bestsellers and an ability to discover and secure talent ahead of the curve. They will have a strong network of agent, author and communicator relationships. They will also have an eye for online and social media research and an ability to develop ideas into successful projects.

They will have real knowledge of the cookery and lifestyle book market and how it is evolving, as well as wider trends. They will be brilliant at pitching, packaging and publishing their books in-house. They will be passionate about building an innovative and profitable list of compelling books and authors.

The right candidate will bring energy, creativity to our ambitious, forward-thinking, mutually-respectful team. They will be collaborative and professional, building great relationships across the business.  

The Role

• Commissioning commercially successful and top quality books.
• Early discovery of talent via agents and direct approaches, and securing that talent quickly.
• Maintaining a strong network with agents, authors and communicators.
• Effective online and social media research
• Developing ideas into successful projects
• Market awareness of cookery and lifestyle trends
• Taking books from pitch to publication with maximum impact
• Working to critical path and managing budgets and production
• Creative thinking and innovation around list building
• Delivering profitable publishing in line with divisional targets
• Representing titles compellingly internally and externally
• Contributing to team spirit and positivity and professionalism
• Communicating confidently and collaborating across the business

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Proven experience of commissioning bestsellers in cookery & lifestyle
• Talent for discovering compelling books via agents and direct research
• An ability to pitch, package and publish with maximum impact
• A strong network and real market awareness within cookery and lifestyle

Additional information
The role is a full-time permanent position.

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP 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: Monday and Tuesday

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 Tuesday 19th April 2022

Bloomsbury reserve 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:

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

That Day – online fitness classes, mindfulness, cookery classes, workshops etc.

Company culture! – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (BAME, Disability, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ and Parents, Guardians and Carers), 15 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

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. 

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury’s Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began. 

 Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.