International rights assistant

Department: International Rights
Reports to: Head of Fulfilment
Location: Central London (office-based)
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £28,000
Closing date: 13 September 2026

Support international publishing rights sales by managing orders, contracts, invoices and production schedules.

Thames & Hudson is an independent, family-owned illustrated book publisher based in London, with an international reputation for producing high-quality books across art, design, architecture, photography, fashion, history, archaeology and popular culture.

Our International Rights team works with publishers around the world to license T&H titles for international-language co-editions and licensed editions. The team coordinates the commercial, contractual, editorial, production and delivery processes that turn those agreements into finished books, working closely with colleagues across the business.

About the role

As International Rights Assistant, you will provide administrative and coordination support to the International Rights team, helping to ensure that international-language co-edition and licence agreements are fulfilled accurately and on time. You will support Rights Managers throughout the sales and production process, liaise with publishers and colleagues across T&H, and keep the records, materials and communications needed to deliver successful international editions.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will:

• provide administrative support to Rights Managers, helping to ensure the accurate and timely fulfilment of co-edition and licence sales
• raise, correct, send and track orders, contracts and invoices, and maintain accurate departmental records
• send translation, editorial and production materials to international publishers and help answer queries
• track production schedules, approvals and payments, following up delays and escalating issues when needed
• check international-language files and printing materials carefully, and arrange the shipping of finished books
• liaise professionally with international publishers and colleagues across Production, Editorial, Design, Finance, Marketing & Publicity and Picture Research

What you’ll bring

We are looking for someone with:

• office or administrative experience, with good keyboard and computer skills
• intermediate Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
• excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage multiple tasks and remain effective under pressure
• strong written and spoken communication skills
• close attention to detail and a consistently high standard of accuracy
• numeracy and commercial awareness
• a reliable, methodical, conscientious and self-motivated approach, with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
• an interest in illustrated publishing and the Thames & Hudson list
• an interest in working with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds
• an appetite for sensibly exploring new digital tools, including AI, to improve administration, communication and processes
• a commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive workforce

You may also have:

• a publishing qualification and/or previous publishing experience, preferably in a sales or production environment
• proficiency in an additional language, preferably a European language

Please do not be put off applying if you do not meet every desirable requirement. We are interested in hearing from candidates who can bring the right skills, judgement and potential to the role.

What success looks like

In this role, success will mean:

• orders, contracts and invoices are accurate, issued promptly and tracked reliably
• publishers receive the correct translation, editorial and production materials, with queries answered clearly and on time
• schedules, delays, approvals and publisher requirements are monitored closely, with issues raised promptly
• international-language files and printing materials are checked carefully, and finished books are shipped in line with agreed requirements
• departmental sales, schedule, invoice and payment records are accurate and up to date
• you build strong, professional relationships with international publishers and colleagues, communicating responsively and with cultural awareness

Working at Thames & Hudson

We want Thames & Hudson to be a place where people can do thoughtful, creative and high-quality work, while feeling respected, supported and able to contribute.

Benefits include:

• 28 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• profit share scheme
• interest-free loan for a rent deposit or season travel ticket
• staff discount on Thames & Hudson books and co-editions
• generous pension contributions
• employee assistance support and retail discounts
• learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• free entry into hundreds of museums and galleries nationwide

Our values

Our values are:

creativity · integrity · respect · communication · excellence

They shape how we work with each other, our publishers and partners, and the standards we bring to our work.

How to apply

To apply, please follow the link to the application form. You will have an opportunity to upload your CV as well as a cover letter from you that addresses how you meet the "What you'll bring" section above.

Equal opportunities

Thames & Hudson is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and we are committed to making our recruitment processes fair, inclusive and accessible.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We will consider requests carefully and do what we reasonably can to support you.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.