Overview
To provide administrative support to the Editorial Director for European History in the effective management of print and electronic products throughout the publication process. This includes liaising with authors to ensure manuscripts are delivered on time, preparing manuscripts for production, sending proposals and draft manuscripts for review, managing backlist titles, and other administrative duties. Tasks will be varied but will include:
* Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with authors, volume editors and series editors to ensure a high standard of author care throughout the publishing process
* Keeping the publishing programme on schedule through regular liaison with authors, and by maintaining and updating the frontlist plan for any given year
* Preparing manuscripts for handover to production to agreed standards and on schedule
* Setting up new titles on Biblio (our bibliographic database), and ensuring that any changes to projects are updated promptly and in line with key dates
* Writing and editing marketing copy
* Commissioning peer reviews for projects as requested; ensuring these reviews are delivered in a timely way; recording the progress of all projects under review
* Putting together cover briefs, cover copy and briefing cover designs
* Supporting the Editorial Director in managing backlist, including monitoring stock levels, reprints and the Print on Demand scheme, as required
* Responding promptly and appropriately to external and internal inquiries
* Providing basic reports and sales information
* Providing administrative support for team (filing, photocopying etc)
* Creating and managing companion websites
Qualifications and skills
* Highly organised with the ability to multi-task and prioritise
* Exceptional attention to detail and command of English spelling and grammar
* Proactive and able to take initiative
* Good time management with ability to meet deadlines
* Evidence of project management skills
* Solution-focused, calm and able to solve problems under pressure
* Flexible and able to work independently
* Effective teamworking, networking and building relationships
* Excellent communication (oral and written) to internal and external contacts, handling information sensitively and professionally
* Strong IT skills including competency in using Microsoft Office, Word and Excel
Desirable
* Knowledge and/or experience of Biblio and other relevant processes, systems and websites
* Some commercial awareness and understanding of the publishing industry
* Places a high value on quality of content, author care, company reputation and sustained customer relationships
* An interest in academic publishing, and in developing industry and market awareness
* Some prior publishing experience an advantage
About Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury is a leading international publisher with strengths in trade, children's, professional and academic publishing. We publish a range of history titles for scholarly and student audiences, including titles such as Germany since 1945, Valkyrie and So, About Modern Europe…. This is an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about a broad range of activities across the publishing business and develop the key skills required for a career in publishing. The successful candidate will join a friendly team based in our central London offices.
Role details
The role is a full-time, permanent position. Salary Pay Point or Range: £27,000. The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid-working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are Wednesdays and Thursdays. As an Assistant role, this position is eligible for Bloomsbury''s Rental Deposit Loan Scheme. To assist candidates who want to start and to establish a career in publishing, Bloomsbury offers an interest-free rental deposit to support securing somewhere to live. The rental deposit loan can be up to £3,000 and will be paid back over 2 years. Please apply with a CV and answer the application form questions via our website detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 23:59 on Thursday 25th of September 2025. For best results, please use a desktop to apply as some mobile browsers may not fully support the application portal. We do not require a Cover Letter for this vacancy. Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications.
Benefits
* Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)
* 25 days holiday
* 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
* Two paid Personal Wellness Days
* Flexible Fridays - take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week
* Work Anywhere Fortnight - For two weeks of any calendar year. The minimum period for Working Anywhere is one week, the maximum period is two weeks.
* Season Ticket Loan
* Share Save Scheme
* AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
* Peppy Health App
* In-house Doctor
* Eye Care Voucher Scheme
* Company culture - Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks and Mental Health initiatives
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