Publishing Director, Crime and Thrillers (12 month FTC) HarperCollins Publishers
Employment Type Full time
Location Hybrid · London, UK 3+ days office based
Team HQ
Seniority Senior
+ Closing:11:55pm, 14th Apr 2025 BST
Perks and benefits
Work from home option
Healthcare
Retirement benefits
Wellness programs
Employee Assistance Programme
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Extra holiday
Professional development
Mentoring/coaching
Paid volunteer days
Flexible benefits scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Candidate happiness
8.66 (28934)
Job Description
Purpose of the Role
Specialising in commercial fiction and innovative digital publishing, HQ publishes a wide range of fiction titles including contemporary fiction, historical, crime, thrillers and book club, alongside our bestselling non-fiction list, and thriving digital-first imprint. Combining rapid growth with commercial success, HQ has a stellar record in launching fiction debuts such as Nadine Matheson’sThe Jigsaw Man, Georgina Moore’sThe Garnett Girls, andThis Lovely Cityby Louise Hare, along with an array of outstandingSunday Timesbestsellers such as Adele Parks, Linwood Barclay, Sarah Morgan, Robert Thorogood and Erica James.
Reporting to the Crime and Thriller Publisher, this fixed term role will suit commercially astute, highly organised candidates who have both initiative and energy, who are excited to think creatively about how we publish our books and can deliver excellent author care and editorial support. You will have a clear understanding of the crime and thriller fiction market, and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious, collaborative team. You will be responsible for covering for the Publishing Director, who will be on parental leave. You will be responsible for the Publishing Director’s list of authors and publishing, seeing titles through from acquisition to publication in all formats. You will be working with key teams to create effective publishing strategies, successful launches and build long-term sales. You’ll already have strong agent relationships, and will have experience managing your own projects. You will represent HQ at trade events and help grow HQ’s presence in the fiction market.
With significant editorial and negotiating experience, the successful candidate will have a demonstrable awareness of the market and our competitors. You’ll be able to spot and pre-empt trends and will be an enthusiastic champion of our books. You will be responsible for building strong, collaborative relationships with your colleagues, and will be as comfortable working autonomously as part of a team. We’re looking for someone truly passionate about crime and thriller fiction, with the ability to develop and implement a profitable publishing strategy across all their titles, contributing to our success.
Publishing Strategy
+ Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated publishing strategy for the crime and thriller list, with the Publisher. You will be proactive in seeking out new ideas and strategies and will have a clear publishing plan for each title on the list. Forward-looking, you will have a clear vision for your list’s growth and potential, both at home and internationally, and in print and digital.
+ Delivering creative, innovative publishing which is commercially successful and contributes to the Division’s growth targets.
+ Drive cross-format strategy with a view to meeting budget and forecast, and managing cost control.
+ Identifying market trends and publishing opportunities, through close contact with the market, retailers, and key influencers; a strong awareness of trade challenges and the ability to see solutions.
+ Publishing by example, developing a strong, profitable list of your own both in the UK and international markets.
+ Ensure that all titles are delivered profitably to critical path.
+ Ensuring titles have co-ordinated digital strategies and priority titles are pitched for promotions and metadata is optimised. Innovating digitally where possible.
+ Ownership and superb author care of the Publishing Director’s stable of authors, along with their agents
+ Managing and negotiating the Publishing Director’s repeat-author acquisitions.
+ Ensuring colleagues across the division understand the list’s goals and priorities, and celebrate its successes.
+ Championing the list throughout the company at showcases, sales conferences and commercial reviews.
+ Work closely with the senior team to maximise all opportunities afforded by world rights including Rights, Audio and Harper 360.
+ Working closely with Design to ensure packaging and positioning of titles is in line with market requirements.
+ Contributing fully to sales and marketing strategy and ensuring a collaborative, effective working relationship with partners in other teams:
i. Facilitating the positive involvement of Sales and Marketing teams in the list’s publishing. Engaging colleagues, contributing to good decision making and supporting strong relationships.
ii. Using market knowledge to help deliver successful, innovative campaigns, adapting when necessary to changing conditions and market developments.
iii. Identifying key promotions and agreeing price/format strategies with the Sales team.
Line management of an editorial assistant.
Skills and Experience Required
+ Robust experience of fiction trade publishing at Editorial Director or Deputy Publishing Director Level
+ In tune with digital innovations within the industry
+ Strong awareness of market trends
+ Excellent communicator
+ Proven leadership skills
+ Strategic vision
+ Strong business acumen
+ Strong organisation skills
+ Strong analytical skills
+ Proven track of entrepreneurial commissioning
+ Experience of establishing and developing effective agent relationships
Benefits
+ Hybrid working model (3+ days in the office)
+ 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
+ Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
+ Private healthcare cover and life assurance
+ Summer Hours
+ Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
+ Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
+ Relocation Rent Support Loan
+ Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC
+ Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
+ Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
+ Gym membership discount
+ Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
+ Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
+ We’re a certified Carbon Neutral company
+ Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
+ Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
+ Onsite prayer room
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly torecruitment@harpercollins.co.ukwith subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications

Please refer the Job description for details