Commissioning Editor - Penguin Publishing Lab

If you have keen commercial and creative instincts, strong commissioning experience and love working with authors to craft and hone their books, then we have the perfect job for you.

We are seeking a Commissioning Editor to join the Penguin Publishing Lab, part of the local Adult publishing team at Penguin Random House Australia. We are looking for a dedicated individual who is passionate about trend-driven publishing and comfortable working in a fast-paced team.

This person will work with the rest of the Penguin Publishing Lab team to seek out, commission and develop trend-driven/demand-based titles informed by data and insight, and publish them to an accelerated timeline.

In this role, you will:

• Identify profitable commissioning opportunities and develop content for publication informed by data-driven insights
• Liaise with authors at all stages and guide them through the publishing and editing process, including advising and assisting from the earliest stages of ideation and writing
• Champion your books across the business, sharing information with key internal stakeholders to support their success
• Complete structural edits including more complex titles, and collaborate on legal reviews
• Prepare briefs for designers and editors
• Participate in brainstorming exercises and other workshops to fuel ideation and content development
• Work collaboratively across multiple internal teams in a cross-functional capacity, as well as with authors and agents.

Please apply if you meet the following minimum requirements:

• Ideally around 10 years or more of relevant book publishing experience (consumer)    
• Extensive knowledge of literature, both fiction and non-fiction, with an up to date knowledge of the Australian literary scene and key trends within it
• Experience building and managing a strong list of titles for trade publication, and maintaining the relevant stakeholder relationships
• Proactive and passionate about creating products for non-traditional book-buying audiences
• Comfortable conducting developmental work on proposals and manuscripts as well as structural edits
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality work in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Proven organisational, multi-tasking and time-management skills
• Resourceful problem-solver and creative thinker, keen to contribute ideas, embrace challenges and develop new ways of working
• Possess the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also collaboratively, building strong relationships with stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Suite, especially Word

Penguin Random House is the world’s largest trade book publisher, boasting an impressive list of authors from cherished favourites to future classics across many genres and platforms. In Australia and New Zealand, we are proud to work with the most talented writers, thinkers and achievers and publish a diverse range of local and international voices. We are the leading publisher distributing books across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on speed and reliability to reach our customers and bring the very best books to readers everywhere. Our 400+ creative and passionate people from various backgrounds and experiences work together to uphold our reputation for excellence and clear commitment to service throughout the entire publishing process, and help us to achieve exceptional results. More information can be found at https://www.penguin.com.au/ and https://www.penguin.co.nz/.

Penguin Random House is committed to providing a workplace and culture that values diversity and inclusion across all levels of the business. We recognise and acknowledge the contribution of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This includes, however is not limited to, differences in gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, family status and disability.

Company: Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd 

Country: Australia 

State/Region: New South Wales 

City: North Sydney 

Postal Code: 2060 

Job ID: 257925