Assistant Editor, Cornerstone

We are looking for a proactive, efficient, and creative Assistant Editor to join the Cornerstone team. In this role you will provide support to a Publisher across our Hutchinson Heinemann, Cornerstone Press, and #Merky Books lists. 

We are open to considering candidates with varying levels of experience, but 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.    

The role  

In this rare and exciting role, you will work with the Publisher on authors whose books are published across the three lists of Hutchinson Heinemann, Cornerstone Press, and #Merky Books. This is a rare opportunity to work with a Publisher across multiple genres and in multiple areas of the list. An interest in non-fiction is a must, and you will work closely with colleagues on a varied year-round programme of publishing.  

Key responsibilities:

• Organising meetings, taking minutes, and ensuring our publishing remains on critical path.
• Liaising with the editorial management and production teams on book schedules.
• Keeping internal systems (such as Biblio) up to date and prompting editors for material.
• Writing cover copy, TI copy and author biographical notes and supporting the Publisher on editorial work on select titles.
• Creating strong relationships with authors, agents and other teams across the business, such as Publicity, Marketing, and Production.
• Working on back catalogue titles, publishing some paperbacks, researching cover briefs, and sending out book proofs. 

What you’ll bring 

Essential criteria:

• Exemplary demonstrable organisational skills and an eagle eye for detail
• Excellent administrative abilities to ensure multiple deadlines are met
• Able to be agile and pivot quickly
• Able to work independently and under pressure, with an enthusiastic attitude
• Excellent communication skills and able to build effective relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues across the company.

Preferred criteria:

• Evidence of editorial work with authors, working with campaign teams, and writing copy.

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. 

Application instructions 

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 25th May. As part of your cover letter, please tell us about a recently published non-fiction book you have read and why you enjoyed it (no more than 200 words).

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. 

Salary 

£29,500 - £36,000 depending on your skills and experiencers, plus bonus and benefits. 

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. 

The recruitment process 

You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/ 

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. 

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. 

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee. 

Company: The Random House Group Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW11 7BW 

Job ID: 279122