Senior Commissioning Editor: Automotive (Veloce imprint)
Location: Hybrid working (successful candidate can be based in Exeter, Devon or Poundbury, Dorset offices depending on home location). Remote working also considered
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum, (depending on experience)
Our client is an independent publisher with a rich history of publishing across a breadth of categories. In February 2024 they acquired the Veloce imprint, a market leader in automotive books with a 30-year history of serving the classic car niche.
Their environment is relaxed, and they have little hierarchy. They want to support their people to do their best work and are a socially responsible business.
The Role
They are seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Commissioning Editor with a passion for the subject and the ability to create commercially successful books that serve this niche.
This role will take the lead responsibility for new books under the Veloce imprint. The successful candidate will commission books that build on the legacy of the imprint and shape the future strategy of the Veloce list.
You will be comfortable working with a commissioning approach focused on structured data, using online insights from keyword and social media research, combined with sales indicators from comparable titles. While this data provides the platform for each new commission, you will be able to add your creative ideas and a unique focus for each new title.
Key Responsibilities
- Acquiring circa 25 new titles per year, encompassing a mix of titles into existing series formats and unique new commissions.
- Researching the market by visiting shows, through media, social media and online sources to identify new trends and publishing opportunities.
- Bring new ideas forward for presentation and review with sales and marketing teams.
- Create P&Ls to assess the feasibility of new titles.
- Contract and manage authors.
- Handover books to editorial, design and production teams and contribute to the editorial process.
- Continually look for efficiencies in time and money while producing high-quality books.
- Manage and update business systems for new titles, including creating initial ONIX records written to optimize online sales conversion.
- Present titles at sales meetings to UK and international distributors.
Skills and Qualifications
- Experience in a senior editorial or commissioning role within similar categories.
- Project management skills.
- Excellent written English, with strong editorial accuracy.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate well with multiple parties.
- Good organisational skills, including time management.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Competent financial knowledge and understanding of the book P&L process.
- Experience of Microsoft Office and Adobe InDesign.
- A commitment to excellence, with energy and determination.
Benefits
- 25 days of holiday per annum
- Life assurance
- Income protection policies
- Private medical insurance.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable company, please do not hesitate to apply.