Contracts & Business Affairs Assistant

Are you passionate about the world of publishing and looking to make your mark in a dynamic and supportive environment? We have an exciting opportunity for a Contracts Assistant to join our DK Contracts team at Penguin Random House.

You'll be working closely with the Head of DK Contracts, playing a vital role in managing flat fee agreements, processing contracts on Biblio, and handling essential administrative tasks. This role is perfect for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys working collaboratively, and is eager to develop their career in the publishing industry.

Key responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of the DK Contracts Executive, draft and check flat fee agreements and addenda, with the potential to assist on head contracts.
• Address queries from Editorial and Royalties teams, with the potential to handle queries from authors and agents. First point of contact for the team shared mailbox.
• Process signed contracts, ensuring they are returned to authors/agents, and maintain contracts and correspondence files.
• Keep databases and records up to date.
• Assist with projects, such as researching the audio rights DK holds.
• Attend departmental meetings, regular catch-ups, and progress meetings with your line manager.
• Provide miscellaneous support for the department as and when required.

 What you’ll bring:

• Curiosity. A willingness to question and challenge.
• Excellent personal organisation and a keen eye for detail.
• Adaptability and a willingness to embrace change.
• Strong interpersonal sensitivity and communication skills.
• Confidence in your abilities and the initiative to take on new challenges.
• A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Disability Confident

If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, below is the minimum criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.

Essential criteria:

• Proven written ability showcased through your application
• Experience/ Knowledge of MS Office Excel/Word/ Outlook
• Demonstrable understanding of managing multiple stakeholders at varying seniorities
• Demonstrable communication skills

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 1st December.

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. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be between 500 and 1000 words.

Salary

£27,500 plus benefits.

What you can expect from us

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.

Our benefits include:

• Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan
• Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan
• Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books

For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/

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. For this role we expect that you will work from our office in London 3 days per week.

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. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. 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: Penguin Books Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW1V 2SA 

Job ID: 275589