Editorial Director, Compendium - (Open to remote)

Compendium is a Seattle-based publishing company renowned for its inspirational books, journals, greeting cards, and gift products. Founded as an independent publisher more than 30 years ago, Compendium is now an imprint of Ten Speed Press, which is an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division within Penguin Random House. Compendium has built a reputation for creating thoughtful and uplifting content that celebrates life's meaningful moments. Our bestselling product line includes such titles as What Do You Do With an Idea?, Because I Had a Teacher, and One More Book Before Bed, appealing to both adults and children.

The Compendium mission is to inspire and connect people through meaningful moments with gifts that inspire. Our millions of our joyful messages—found in greeting cards and children’s books, guided journals and customizable keepsakes—have touched the lives of people around the globe. Through their impact we discovered that a bit of inspiration can, in fact, make a big difference. We invite you to join us on our journey—to empower, delight, inspire, and care.

We are seeking a collaborative Editorial Director to join our Seattle-based remote team. The Editorial Director is a key member of our creative team, responsible for multiple SKU product development and editing each year. This position will play an essential role in the expansion of our imprint’s 100 products per year directly overseeing approximately 8-12 titles a year and leading an internal team of four editor-writers across the list. The Editorial Director will work closely with the other imprint leadership team to shape the development of the program, achieve the growth targets set forth in its business plan, and ensure that all we create offers inspiration, sensitivity, care, and compassion within the world.

This position has broad content creation, editing, and management responsibilities, including authoring book content, shaping our overall assortment, guiding the team with editorial expertise, and supporting a collaborative and exceptionally talented creative team within the highly illustrated gift product category. The Editorial Director works closely with our in-house design team as well as the production department on product conception, creation, and finalization and the ability to interact in a positive and effective fashion is paramount.

Specific responsibilities include:  

• Collaborate with design and editorial teams to create gift books and non-traditional format gift products, from concept to print-ready files, within established budget and guidelines.

• Take part in Product Development sessions for project kick-offs, establishing solid working relationships with designers, production managers, and management.

• Ideate, concept, and write original text when deemed best direction for project.

• Source, hire, and direct freelance writers as needed: write briefs, negotiate contracts, and review incoming work along with project team.

• Maintain schedules and meet deadlines on assigned projects.

• Prospect and develop new authors and collaborators.

• Adhere to complex production schedules, working with various stakeholders to problem-solve in creative ways.

• Collaborate with designers, art directors, and production teams, as well as with sales, publicity, and marketing teams, to publish books as efficiently and effectively as possible.

• Manage staff workload and workflow, conduct performance reviews, and train new team members.

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:  

• 10+ years experience at an illustrated publishing imprint, preferably as an Editorial Director with management responsibilities.

• A track record of publishing beautiful, profitable, and acclaimed books.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects from conception to completion, meeting deadlines and demonstrating effective organization and prioritization skills.

• Flexible mindset and willingness to embrace new ideas.

• Excellent communication and creative presentation: a clear, articulate spokesperson for each project; strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong attention to detail, and timely and efficient follow-up.

• Connections to the larger publishing community and understanding of industry best practices.

• Familiarity with contract negotiation and publishing terms.

• Deep knowledge of MS Office programs: Outlook, Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

This is role will be open to remote.

The salary range for this position is $95,000.00 - $125,000.00. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.      

Please apply by June 20th, 2025 and include your resume for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.<http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/>

Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company: Penguin Random House LLC 

Country: United States of America 

State/Region: New York 

City: New York, NY 

Postal Code: 10019 

Job ID: 280419