39 Opportunities

Closing date: 8th March 2024

Salary pay point: £27,000

Contract: The role is a full-time permanent position

Play a key role in managing print and digital products for film, media, and digital resources, gaining invaluable experience in the heart of London's publishing scene.

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a leading international publisher with strengths in trade, children’s, professional and academic publishing, both digitally and in print.

We are currently looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking Editorial Assistant to provide administrative and editorial support for our film and media list and books published as part of our partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI), and for our digital resource Screen Studies. The role is within the Visual Arts team, part of our academic division.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about a broad range of activities across the publishing business, particularly in relation to highly visual titles, and develop the key skills required for a career in publishing. The successful candidate will join a friendly team based in our central London offices.

This role is to assist the Senior Publisher, the Senior Commissioning Editor and the Commissioning Editor for Film and Media/BFI in the effective management of print and digital products throughout the publication process. This includes liaising with authors to ensure typescripts are delivered on time, preparing typescripts for production (including evaluating image quality and selection and securing images), sending proposals and draft typescripts for review, managing backlist titles, and other administrative duties.

Responsibilities

Working with authors

• Maintaining close contact with authors to ensure timely delivery of typescripts
• Acting as the main point of contact for author queries, resolving problems and answering questions promptly and accurately

Production, permissions and reviews

• Preparing and briefing typescripts for production in a timely manner in line with internal deadlines
• Third-party permissions administration
• Sending book proposals and draft typescripts for review and researching suitable reviewers
• Working with our eBook team to ensure titles are prepared for eBook distribution

Writing copy and briefing covers

• Writing and editing marketing and back cover copy
• Briefing cover designs

Administration and market research

• Creating and maintaining accurate title records on internal Bloomsbury databases
• Managing new content, rights clearances and contract administration for our digital resource, Screen Studies
• Supporting editors in managing backlist titles, including reprint administration
• Assisting with the development of new book projects by conducting market research
• Additional administrative duties, as required

Collaboration and representation

• Liaising with other members of the Visual Arts team and with colleagues from other departments such as production, design, marketing, sales and digital resources
• Occasionally representing the company at conferences or events, as required

Knowledge, skills and experience

Organisational skills

• Exceptional organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
• Strong project management and multi-tasking skills
• Stays calm under pressure

Communication skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a good visual sense
• Ability to demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Good attention to detail

Problem-solving skills and commitment

• Proactive, happy to take the initiative
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Confident, enthusiastic, hard-working, committed
• Team player
• Customer-focused

Processes and systems

• Ability to follow internal procedures and processes
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and processes quickly
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Industry knowledge and experience

• Committed to a career in academic publishing
• Some commercial awareness and understanding of the publishing industry desirable
• Some prior publishing experience an advantage
• Interest in and knowledge of film and media an advantage

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 Thursday.

As an Assistant role, this position is eligible for Bloomsbury’s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme. To assist candidates who want to start and to establish a career in publishing, Bloomsbury offers an interest-free rental deposit to support securing somewhere to live. The rental deposit loan can be up to £3,000 and will be paid back over 2 years.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the ‘Apply’ button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 8th March 2024.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

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.

The Book Trade Charity provide financial assistance for people looking to get into the publishing industry; you can find more information and talk directly here: http://booktradeentrysupport.org