Assistant Editor, Cornerstone

Job description

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.

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

We’d love it if you had…

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.

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.

Employer details

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.