Senior Commissioning Editor, Del Rey

This is a newly created position within Cornerstone’s leading sci-fi and fantasy imprint, Del Rey. We are looking for an experienced, ambitious, and commercially minded Senior Commissioning Editor to join the team. The ideal candidate will make an immediate impact by bringing in outstanding, bestselling writers who will help shape the future of our growing list. This role is perfect for an ambitious and engaged acquirer who is comfortable commissioning books across the genre.

About the team

Del Rey is one of the leading science fiction and fantasy imprints in the UK and part of the Cornerstone division. We are dedicated to publishing the very best in commercial and crossover science fiction, fantasy, horror, and graphic novels. Our roster includes bestselling authors such as Andy Weir, Danielle Jensen, Ernest Cline, and Holly Black, in addition to a range of official licensing titles such as Star Wars, Minecraft, Stranger Things, and many more.

The role

Reporting to the Publishing Director, you will be responsible for acquiring and publishing fantasy and sci-fi titles, combining your commercial acumen, creativity and first-class relationship skills to support the division’s ambitious growth goals.

Key responsibilities:

1. Acquire and publish a set number of titles annually across fantasy and science fiction.
2. Demonstrate commercial acumen by identifying opportunities for growth across the list, including staying informed about market trends and competitor activities.
3. Build and maintain strong relationships with authors and agents for future acquisitions.
4. Evaluate the viability and profitability of potential acquisitions and handle negotiations.
5. Oversee the internal book process, including editing, scheduling, and cover design, liaising with Editorial Management, Production, and Text Design.
6. Maintain a strong working relationship with Del Rey US on shared authors and future acquisitions.
7. Write and update high-quality copy and metadata to ensure a book’s success.
8. Collaborate with Sales, Rights, Marketing, and Publicity teams for successful book launches.
9. Contribute to establishing the strategic direction of the list alongside the whole team.

What you’ll bring:

1. Strong prior experience in successfully acquiring and publishing best-selling sci-fi and fantasy titles. These could be Young Adult titles.
2. A commercial mindset with the ability to think strategically about potential acquisitions.
3. Strong internal and external relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and influence others.
4. A good mix of strong creative and analytical skills.
5. A confident negotiator who is not afraid to constructively challenge when required.
6. Delivery-focused with experience in managing projects, strong personal organization, and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
7. A self-starter who thinks entrepreneurially.
8. Resilient and able to work under pressure.
9. Confident in your own judgment.
10. A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 2nd March 2025. Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. As part of the cover letter, we'd like you to answer the following question - tell us what author you would like to bring to the Del Rey list and why? The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.

£45,000 – £50,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

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 – income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance
• Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks
• Lifestyle – enhanced parental leave, tech scheme, free and discounted books

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role mandatory office days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

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. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section.

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

Company: Penguin Books Limited

Country:United Kingdom

State/Region:London

City: London

Postal Code:SW11 7BW

Job ID: 277636

Date: 17 Feb 2025

Location:

London, LND, GB, SW11 7BW