Publishing Director, Crime and Thrillers (12 month FTC)

Publishing Director, Crime and Thrillers (12 month FTC) HarperCollins Publishers

Employment Type: Full time

Location: Hybrid London, UK 3+ days office based

Team: HQ

Seniority: Senior

• Closing: 11:55pm, 14th Apr 2025 BST

Job Description Purpose of the Role

Specialising in commercial fiction and innovative digital publishing, HQ publishes a wide range of fiction titles including contemporary fiction, historical, crime, thrillers and book club, alongside our bestselling non-fiction list. This role will suit commercially astute, highly organised candidates who have both initiative and energy, who are excited to think creatively about how we publish our books and can deliver excellent author care and editorial support. You will have a clear understanding of the crime and thriller fiction market and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious, collaborative team.

You will be responsible for covering for the Publishing Director, who will be on parental leave, managing the Publishing Director's list of authors and publishing, seeing titles through from acquisition to publication in all formats. You will be working with key teams to create effective publishing strategies, successful launches, and build long-term sales. You'll already have strong agent relationships and experience managing your own projects. You will represent HQ at trade events and help grow HQ's presence in the fiction market.

Publishing Strategy

Plan, champion and execute a profitable and market-orientated publishing strategy for the crime and thriller list, with the Publisher. You will be proactive in seeking out new ideas and strategies and will have a clear publishing plan for each title on the list. You will ensure that all titles are delivered profitably to critical path, and that titles have co-ordinated digital strategies and priority titles are pitched for promotions.

Skills and Experience Required

Robust experience of fiction trade publishing at Editorial Director or Deputy Publishing Director Level

In tune with digital innovations within the industry

Strong awareness of market trends

Proven leadership skills

Strategic vision

Strong business acumen

Strong analytical skills

Proven track of entrepreneurial commissioning

Experience of establishing and developing effective agent relationships

Contact

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to with subject heading 'Vacancy Query' plus the job title.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.