Editorial assistant, Cornerstone

Closing date: 29th November 2024

Salary: £27,500 plus bonus and benefits

We are looking for a proactive, efficient, and creative editorial assistant to join the Cornerstone team. 

In this role, you will provide dual support to a Publisher and Associate Publisher, who between them publish across our Hutchinson Heinemann, Cornerstone Press, #Merky Books and Century lists. 

Excellent administrative skills are essential for this role, and it will suit someone with a genuine interest in non-fiction publishing as this is where the role will predominantly focus.  

About Cornerstone 

Cornerstone is a division within the iconic publisher Penguin Random House, our home. In turn, Cornerstone is home to six imprints: Century, Del Rey, Inklore, Hutchinson Heinemann, #Merky Books, and Cornerstone Press, each with its own specific focus and remit. Every Cornerstone book also goes on to become a Penguin paperback.

Within publishing, Cornerstone has an enviable track record of bestsellers, prize winners and culture-shaping books, working with many of the world’s most interesting voices, often throughout their entire career. Our books span genres, categories and marketplaces globally.    

Key responsibilities

• You will take on diary management and expenses for the Publisher and Associate Publisher, as well as working with each of them in support of meetings and events across the editorial team’s scope of work.  
• You will be responsible for organising meetings, taking minutes, and ensuring our publishing remains on critical path. This will require you to liaise with the editorial management and production teams on book schedules, keep internal systems (such as Biblio) up to date, and prompt editors for material. 
• Other responsibilities will include organising submissions for prizes, working on back catalogue titles, researching cover briefs, and sending out book proofs. 
• You will have the opportunity to work on titles across multiple genres across the Cornerstone list, with a focus on non-fiction publishing, and will work closely with colleagues on a varied year-round programme of publishing.  

What you’ll bring

• Exemplary organisational skills and an eagle eye for detail are essential for this role, as are strong administrative abilities to ensure multiple deadlines are met. 
• You should be agile and able to pivot quickly. 
• A can-do, enthusiastic attitude is crucial, along with the ability to work independently and under pressure. 
• The ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders and colleagues across the company is vital.  

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to dive into the world of publishing. We're looking for someone inquisitive, capable of managing a variety of tasks, and eager to make a tangible impact on our department's efficiency. 

Disability Confident 

If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, below is the minimum criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview. 

Essential criteria: 

• Demonstrable interest in Cornerstone, including an interest in non-fiction publishing 
• Proven written ability showcased through your application 
• Experience/ Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/ Outlook 
• Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities  
• Demonstrable communication skills 

To apply

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Friday 29th November.   

Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements.  

Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate. 

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request. 

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 our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/ 

Hybrid working 

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. Cornerstone colleagues work in our Embassy Gardens office three days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are happy to discuss this further as part of the interview process.   

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. 

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