Commissioning editor/senior commissioning editor, Plays

Closing date: 15th October 2024

Salary range: £30,750 - £41,000 depending on skills, experience and level hired

Contract: The role is a full-time permanent position

Are you an experienced publishing professional with a love of theatre? Combine your passion for plays and print in this exciting role!

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is looking for a Commissioning Editor, Plays to join their historic Methuen Drama imprint to commission and manage play publications, alongside the Senior Publisher. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine a passion for theatre with the publishing of both print and digital books as well as experience in online publishing for Drama Online.

Working energetically, efficiently and to a high standard of editorial accuracy, your role is to commission the very best new writing and publish plays (often to very short timescales ready for opening nights at theatres) from writers from all over the world. In addition you will be responsible for maintaining a large backlist of highly prestigious writers.

Sitting within the Plays department of the Methuen Drama team, this role is part of Bloomsbury Academic division and reports to the Senior Publisher for Plays. The Commissioning Editor/Senior Commissioning Editor is responsible for both commissioning new plays as well as maintaining a large backlist of plays, play anthologies and play collections.

Responsibilities

• Reading and responding to manuscripts in a timely manner
• Liaising with authors, theatres, agents and internal departments
• Negotiating contracts with agents and authors and special sales deals with theatres
• Overseeing new titles through the production process, on time and to budget
• Maintaining accurate copy and information on internal systems
• Attending press nights and launch events where required, representing Methuen Drama in professional settings
• Assist the Drama Online team with editorial queries

Knowledge, skills and experience 

• A demonstrable knowledge and passion for contemporary theatre
• Experience within the publishing industry, or related skills in licensing, estate management or work within a literary agent 
• Understanding of the theatre industry, specifically in relation to plays and drama
• Exceptional organisational skills
• Experience of project management and juggling workload 
• Flexibility and a ‘can-do’ attitude
• Exceptional editorial skills with an eye for detail
• Experience within the publishing industry is not essential, however proven knowledge and passion for theatre is

Additional information

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid-working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred).  Allocated office days for this role are: Wednesday and Thursdays.

To apply

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the URL detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 15th October 2024.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – Bloomsbury Publishing do not sponsor visa applications.

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications.

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required.

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.