DESCRIPTION

Please note, this role is open to internal canidates only and applications from external candiates will not be considered.
The Story Society is seeking a Story Operations Lead to unify our ambitious multi-platform publishing portfolio — spanning books, video, live events, and interactive media productions. This role is ideally suited to someone who thrives on shaping robust systems and operational structures that serve others, enabling emerging writers and producers to deliver work of international quality and impact.
We are looking for someone with the acumen and authority to design and run a publishing production line that integrates creative vision with financial and logistical discipline. Whilst this role has a strong creative production component, it is not an opportunity to develop one’s own career as an author, researcher, or lecturer. The right candidate will take satisfaction in ensuring stability, coherence, and delivery at scale, acting not as a client of The Story Society but as its central publishing and operational lead.
This is a fixed term contract for a period of 13 months.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone with the following skills and personal qualities

Assessed at application stage:

• A degree in English, Creative Writing, Publishing, Media, or a related discipline (with GCSE Maths Grade A or equivalent), or equivalent experience
• Extensive professional experience in multi-platform publishing operations, including designing, commissioning, and delivering high-quality outputs (must be able to produce books, films, manuscripts, live/online events, & interactive productions).
• Proven track record in overseeing and integrating complex portfolios, including financial planning, budget oversight, and resource allocation, with evidence of delivering multi-strand, national-level productions on time and within scope.
• Demonstrable experience of pre- and post-award management, including preparing reports, monitoring compliance, and ensuring accountability to funders and partners.
• Experience liaising with and influencing diverse stakeholders within UK Creative Writing ecologies, including funders, collaborators and external partners.

• Experience liaising with and influencing diverse stakeholders within UK Creative Writing Ecologies, including authors, funders, collaborators and external partners.

  Assessed at interview stage:

• Financial and Data Oversight: Able to strategically interpret financial and operational data to ensure the sustainable delivery of complex, multi-platform publishing portfolios.

• Story Governance and Compliance: Ensures all outputs meet branding, legal, ethical, and organisational standards, managing risk while safeguarding operational integrity across diverse projects.
• Operational and Editorial Logistics: Expert in programming, producing, and delivering ambitious multi-platform publications with editorial coherence and operational precision.
• Pre- and Post-Award Commissioning Cycles: Designs and implements commissioning and production systems that ensure clarity, accountability, and high-quality output across multiple projects and partners.
• External and Inter-Departmental Literary Ecosystem Planning: Builds and maintains internal and external partnerships, operational structures, and initiatives that support sustainable, coherent, and ambitious multi-platform publishing.
• Personal Qualities: Demonstrates value-based leadership, resilience, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset, inspiring teams and collaborators to achieve ambitious, multi-platform outcomes while balancing operational, editorial, and strategic priorities.

The Story Operations Lead will ensure seamless project execution, compliance, and the highest standards of creativity and efficiency. They will lead commissioning and production cycles, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver integrated publishing outputs.
Key areas of responsibility include: