Senior IP commissioning editor, Zaffre Fiction

Reporting to: Publisher, Zaffre Fiction

Location: 5th Floor, HYLO, 105 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8LZ

Working pattern: Hybrid - minimum of two days per week in the office; up to three days per week working from home

Department: Editorial

Imprint: Zaffre

Salary: £39,000 - £45,000 per annum, depending on experience

Are you an editor brimming with fresh fiction ideas that you can't wait to bring to life? Develop original fiction IP and champion new talent in commercial fiction.

Zaffre Fiction, the home of bestselling and award-winning commercial fiction at Bonnier Books UK, is looking for a passionate, highly organised and proactive IP development editor to work alongside the Publisher to drive in-house fiction IP projects, launch new talent and deliver exceptional publishing.

Zaffre was launched in 2015 and includes bestselling authors such as Lynda La Plante, Wilbur Smith, Rosie Goodwin, Robert Peston, Susie Dent and T. M. Logan. The successful candidate will make a significant contribution to our fiction IP generation, nurturing ideas from conception to publication while attracting the brightest new talent to the Zaffre list.

This is a perfect next step for an experienced, hard-working editor or commissioning editor with a demonstrable passion for fiction IP and a history of delivering successful projects of their own - publishing across key genres, including commercial crime and thriller, romance, romcom and science fiction / fantasy. They will have a strong network of agents, authors and key industry figures, as well as a strong instinct for international rights opportunities. They would be a strong team player and combine a keen eye for detail with high editorial standards along with plenty of fresh ideas, enthusiasm and energy. They will enjoy working closely editorially with authors, leading the publishing of their books and inspiring the broader team.

Key responsibilities

• Shaping and driving our fiction IP publishing strategy to deliver growth year-on-year.
• Working with the Zaffre Publisher and the entire editorial team on existing fiction IP pipeline, unblocking and aiding editors to drive from ideation to publication
• Ensure impeccable author care and supporting on project-managing and desk-editing – including taking sole responsibility for your own titles.
• Commissioning 6-8 IP projects a year with a particular focus on trend-leading commercial fiction with broad appeal, both in terms of sales and rights.
• Add to an already strong network of authors, agents and scouts, working to make Zaffre Fiction a destination imprint.
• Being part of a closely-knit team and contributing to the wider IP strategy.
• Managing relationships with other departments, including sales, marketing, publicity, design and production.

Qualifications and Experience

• You will have seen through multiple fiction IP projects from ideation to publication
• You will be a passionate reader with exceptional taste and strong commercial acumen.
• You will have at least two years’ experience within a trade publishing team.
• Excellent project management skills with experience of desk editing and successfully steering books from acquisition to publication.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload to meet multiple deadlines.
• Exemplary attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• An interest in learning and developing skills within a fast-paced, energetic and outward-looking department.
• A keen understanding of the print and digital markets.

Company Benefits

• Private health insurance
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Lively social committee hosting regular events
• Group Life cover - including 24-hour GP service
• Company-funded gym membership for all trade staff
• Comprehensive staff training and mentorship programmes
• Flexible working and flexible hours from day one of employment
• Additional holiday allowance accrued for long service – and a full bonus week of holiday to celebrate your 10th year at BBUK
• Enhanced family leave - with equal six months’ paid leave for all new parents
• Employee assistance programme available to all employees and their families
• Dedicated volunteering hours each year to support charities promoting literacy and reading for pleasure
• Cycle to work scheme with bike storage and changing facilities on-site at our London HQ
• Wellbeing programme and daily benefits such as fresh fruit and porridge in the office

If you are interested in this role, please apply via our website. We look forward to hearing from 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