Transworld is looking for a Publishing Director to lead our Sci-Fi and Fantasy team and develop our strategy. This newly created position offers the chance to take ownership of the genre for the entire company and develop and grow a world-class slate with the support and power of the Transworld team behind us.
About Transworld Science Fiction and Fantasy
Transworld has been publishing science fiction and other genre literature since its launch over sixty years ago. Early successes included Isaac Asimov, Harry Harrison and David Eddings, but the list has grown since then to include the complete works of giants of the genre including Terry Pratchett, Anne McCaffrey, David Gemmell and Steven Erikson. For many years we were responsible for publishing the Star Wars and Star Trek literature lists. We have many exciting new authors who will be making their mark over the next two years through subscription boxes and social media.
Main responsibilities
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Overall management and management of the Sci-Fi & Fantasy division for Transworld, in collaboration with the Managing Director
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Lead the strategy and development of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy list to achieve growth and profitability goals
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Oversee all science fiction and fantasy acquisitions and ensure sound and comprehensive decision making regarding acquisition strategy.
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Maintain and develop close relationships with authors and agents for both current publications and future acquisitions.
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Close collaboration with sales, marketing, public relations and design throughout the entire publication process from pitch to publication
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Ensure that the day-to-day operations of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy list function effectively, including cost management and achieving editorial milestones on the critical publishing path
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Stay informed about general industry trends and the sci-fi and fantasy consumer market
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Contribute to the overall success of Transworld as a member of the department management team
Candidate profile
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Extensive proven contract experience in sci-fi and fantasy with excellent knowledge of the genre and a track record of publishing success
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Experience in creating and managing a strategy for an SFF list
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Excellent leadership and persuasion skills, the ability to represent your ideas effectively and bring others along
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Creative, curious and business-oriented, striving to find and promote talent and ideas
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Clear and empathetic communicator, able to build strong relationships internally and externally
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Excellent author support skills
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Proven experience in negotiating complex transactions, including auctions
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Ambitious and entrepreneurial, striving to contribute to the success of Sci-Fi & Fantasy and Transworld as a whole
Instructions for use
Please apply by midnight on Sunday 15 September with your CV and cover letter (addressed to Kim Young) outlining why you are the right candidate for the role.
What you can expect from us
Salary: Competitive base salary depending on how well your skills and experience match the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Competitive service package:
Our employees are the heart of our company and we work hard to foster a culture of responsibility and recognition.
Our services include:
Financial – income security, life insurance, child care allowance
Wellbeing – health insurance plan, critical illness cover, health checks
Lifestyle – extended parental leave, technology program,
Our full list of benefits can be found at: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/
Hybrid working: Our offices across the UK are places where you can socialise, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues. However, we recognise that flexibility in where you work is just as important. Our Embassy Gardens office has regular meetings and activities that require you to attend in person. The exact breakdown of office work will depend on the nature of your role and the needs of your team. We are open to discussing this as part of the recruitment process.
About Penguin: We are the UK’s largest publisher. We employ around 2,000 people and publish over 1,500 books a year. Our doors are open to all talent. In an ever-evolving industry, we work hard to expand the definition of the word ‘publishing’. Here you will work with a diverse range of talent, all of whom play their part in making each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone, because a book can change anyone.
The recruitment process: For more information about our recruitment process, please visit https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/.
As an organisation that supports the rights of people with disabilities, we offer interviews to candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role and who opt in on their application form. The essential criteria are set out in bold in the Candidate Profile section. Due to the volume of applications, we may not be able to invite all suitable candidates for an interview.
We encourage you to let us know any reasonable adjustments you require by emailing [email protected]. Remember, you only need to tell us what you are happy to do for us to support your request.
Please note that we cannot accept agency CVs for this position. There is no charge for unsolicited CVs.
