Communications assistant, Bluebird and Picador

Closing date for applications: 12 October 2025

Salary: £27,500

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the communications teams of two of the most exciting imprints in publishing.

You'll join: Picador, a literary powerhouse and home to great prize-winning authors, and Bluebird, a publisher of ground-breaking and life-changing non-fiction. Picador is the literary imprint at Pan Macmillan and what defines a Picador book is the author’s voice: we believe the way a story is told is just as important as the story itself. We publish writers from all over the world, bringing international authors to an English-language readership and providing a platform for voices that are often not heard. Bluebird is an award-winning non-fiction imprint where the focus is on publishing books with the intention of helping readers live happier, healthier, more connected lives. We publish books that make the world more tolerant, informed, and compassionate. Our list is made up of a wide range of non-fiction subject areas in many formats, from colour illustrated cookery books and thoroughly researched investigative reporting to self-development and highly personal memoir.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive communications assistant to become the administrative and operational linchpin for both the Bluebird and Picador teams. In this pivotal role, you will provide the essential support that enables our publicists and marketers to deliver best-in-class, award-winning campaigns for our brilliant authors. You will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of two dynamic departments and in upholding their first-class reputation both within the industry and beyond.


Responsibilities

• Communications & information hub: serve as the primary point of contact for all inbound communications, skilfully managing the central publicity inboxes and fielding enquiries from journalists, reviewers, agents, and the public. Monitor, collate, and distribute press coverage, and assist in drafting and creating compelling press releases and internal updates.
• Administrative excellence: provide seamless administrative support to the communications directors and wider teams, including processing expenses, coordinating freelance contracts and invoices, and managing complex schedules.
• Logistical coordination: oversee all book ordering and stock management, coordinating proof mailings and ensuring authors, media, and influencers receive titles in a timely manner. You will also manage the logistics for author travel and high-level author and agent brand presentations, ensuring a flawless and professional experience.
• Data & reporting: take an active role in our campaign strategy by running reports on key metrics and data, managing the internal campaign dashboard, and compiling weekly PR activity reports for circulation to the sales teams.
• Process innovation: champion efficiency by exploring and implementing new solutions, including AI-driven tools to enhance mailing list segmentation and process automation for routine administrative tasks, freeing up team capacity for strategic initiatives.

Knowledge, skills & experience

• You are a supremely organised individual with an innate ability to manage multiple competing priorities with precision and grace.
• Possessing meticulous attention to detail, you ensure accuracy in all tasks, from data entry to proofreading.
• An exceptional communicator, you have the interpersonal skills to build strong, professional relationships with internal teams, authors, agents, and external media contacts.
• You are technologically adept, proficient in Google Workspace (including calendar management and basic spreadsheet skills), and demonstrate a keen enthusiasm for learning new systems and software e.g., Biblio (publishing software), Tableau (data visualisation tool), Canva (design software).
• You are a proactive and resourceful problem-solver, capable of representing the communications function with professionalism and confidence.
• A demonstrable passion for books and the publishing industry, particularly the lists of Picador and Bluebird, is essential.

Benefits

In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Group income protection scheme
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 2 Volunteer Days per year
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

Additional information

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week. All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here on our website.

We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process, if you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please contact get in contact.

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