Editorial Assistant (Penguin Life)

Are you organised, a great team player and meticulously attentive to detail? Are you keen to know more about non-fiction publishing trends? Are you always seeking out the latest ideas, debates and innovations in health and behaviour?

Penguin Life is looking for an Editorial Assistant to work on our list of bestselling non-fiction publishing. The successful candidate will support Penguin Life's Publishing Director and will also provide shared support (alongside another Editorial Assistant) to the overall team of seven.

At Penguin Life we aim for our books to equip readers with new ideas and skills which will improve every aspect of their lives, from work to relationships, health, psychology, communication, and behavioural change. Our authors range from business leaders to religious figures, leading scientists, health professionals and exceptional journalists. What unites our authors is a focus on quality and integrity.

The role

Key responsibilities (editorial and administrative):

1. Providing general office administration e.g., booking meeting rooms, managing diaries, arranging couriers, minuting meetings, processing expenses, processing invoices, sending out proof mailings, arranging for author advanced copies, dealing with general author and agent queries.
2. Managing book and prize submissions.
3. Maintaining internal systems.
4. Proofreading book covers.
5. Preparing editorial material for the sales, communications, and rights teams.
6. Researching book ideas and offering feedback on book proposals and manuscripts.

What you’ll bring

1. Interest in non-fiction and a passion for our mission – to make books for everyone, because a book can change anyone.
2. Demonstrable interest in Penguin Life and Penguin General.
3. Proven written ability showcased through your application.
4. Experience/ Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/ Outlook.
5. Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities.

Preferred criteria:

1. Is a team-player, with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a knack for working closely with a diverse team (whether colleagues, authors, or freelancers).
2. Is highly efficient, organised, and proactive, with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload.
3. Has a meticulous eye for detail and for spotting (and solving) problems before they arise.
4. Has a curiosity for new ideas, wherever they come from.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 27th February 2025. Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process.

What you can expect from us

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition. Our benefits include:

• Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan.
• Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan.
• Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books.

For this role, we expect the successful candidate to work from our London office a minimum of two days per week, with a maximum of three days per week working from home.

About Penguin

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent.

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.