Personal Assistant to MD, Cornerstone (FTC to December 2025)

Cornerstone is looking for a Personal Assistant to support the Managing Director. You’ll be at the heart of the division, a critical support to a friendly and welcoming team that publishes some of the world’s most popular authors. If you bring exceptional organisation and communication skills and are committed to a career in support and administration within a creative environment, then this role could be for you.   

Please note that this role is a fixed term contract to December 2025, covering a period of parental leave. We are looking for a candidate to start as soon as possible. 

You might have worked as a personal or team assistant before, or in events management. We’re open to consider a transferable skillset – what's critical is that you bring a proactive, solutions-orientated and calm approach, and that you’re able to build a trusted relationship with the MD and other key stakeholders at all levels.   

About Cornerstone 

At Cornerstone our publishing is truly for everyone, whether you are looking for reportage and memoir that shine a light on who we are, the most exciting contemporary science fiction and fantasy, the key titles in self-development, memoirs from national treasures, award-winning literary fiction or unputdownable crime. 

Authors in our division include: non-fiction blockbusters such as Chris van Tulleken, Kevin Sinfield and Barbra Streisand, repeat fiction brands such as Taylor Jenkins Reid, Lisa Jewell, Harlan Coben, Tom Hanks, James Patterson and Robert Harris and literary stars such as Amor Towles, Sebastian Faulks and Booker-nominated Richard Powers, as well as Katy Hessel, author of Waterstones Book of the Year ‘22 The Story of Art Without Men. Our imprints include: Century, Cornerstone Press, Hutchinson Heinemann, #Merky Books, in collaboration with Stormzy, Del Rey, Inklore and Penguin. 

The role 

You will provide full PA support to the Managing Director and liaise regularly with senior management, dealing with confidential information. You will be empowered to make decisions and communicate on behalf of the MD where appropriate. Although this role is strictly administrative and supportive in function, you’ll have the opportunity to voice your opinion and work alongside the best creatives in the business. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Management of the MD’s complex diary and daily schedule whilst allowing time to prepare for meetings and attend to the day-to-day requirements of their role. 

• Prioritising, filing and responding to emails as appropriate, drawing attention to matters of importance. 

• Organising internal and external meetings across multiple sites and venues. 

• Providing support in and for meetings, such as preparation of reports, agendas and taking minutes. 

• Event management support, ranging from high profile events with external stakeholders to team events such as summer and winter parties. 

• Organising national and international travel. 

• Building relationships internally and externally and, where appropriate, acting as the face of Cornerstone in the MD’s absence. 

• Office management, including looking after the division’s floor space to create and maintain a welcoming, positive and organised environment that reflects Cornerstone’s atmosphere and approach. 

What you’ll bring 

Essential criteria: 

• Previous experience as a personal or team assistant, or equivalent, with a strong understanding of how to provide tailored 1:2:1 support. You’ll know what it takes to build strong, close working relationships with colleagues at every level, proactively responding to their needs and seeing the work through their eyes. 

• Advanced MS office skills to include Word, Excel & PowerPoint. 

• Excellent organisational skills, being able to juggle multiple, competing priorities with strong attention to detail. 

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to quickly build relationships both with internal & external stakeholders, that may include high profile talent. 

• A proactive and calm approach under pressure, and clear enthusiasm for working in a creative environment in a support position. 

Application instructions 

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you’re the right person for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 19th January. Please apply at your earliest convenience – applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  

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 no more than one or two pages in length. 

Salary 

Up to £41,000 depending on how your skills and experience align with the role, plus bonus and 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 – income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance 

• Wellbeing - healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks 

• Lifestyle – enhanced parental leave, tech scheme, 

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. The team at Cornerstone are operating a split of three days a week in the office, and two days working remotely. The team’s core office days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

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're part of the offer an interview scheme. This is where disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can opt in to get to the next recruitment stage. The essential criteria are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring section’. There may be some situations where volume of applicants means we can't 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: 276527