Overview
Audio Editor HarperCollins Publishers
Employment Type Full time
Location Hybrid · London, UK 3+ days office based
Salary £32,000 - £35,000 (GBP)
Team Digital/Audio
Seniority Mid-level
* Closing:11:55pm, 12th Apr 2026 BST
Job Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the fun, supportive and award-winning Audio team at HarperCollins. We are looking for a creative, organised and proactive audiobook professional to bring their knowledge of the market and prior experience to lead the ambitious audio publishing programme for some of our commercial fiction and non-fiction publishing lists.
As Audio Editor you will be responsible for the audio publishing programme for Avon, HarperNorth and Mills & Boon, delivering on our Total Audio commitment; uniquely among UK publishers, HarperCollins is committed to releasing an audiobook edition of every narrative print book we publish, on the same publication date as the title’s other formats. Recent publications on these lists include novels such as Watching You by Helen Fields and the Baby Dragon series by A.T. Qureshi, and non-fiction titles like With a Little Help from Their Friends by Stuart Maconie.
You will be casting audiobook projects for these divisions with the best voice talent and working with studio partners so that projects are produced to the highest quality, on time and to budget. On some projects authors narrate their own recordings; in these cases you will ensure that they feel supported through the recording process. You will also advocate for the audio format in the publication process, working with a large team of internal and external stakeholders, and you will deliver excellent author care. Please note that this is not a hands-on studio production role.
Responsibilities
* Leads and champions audio with divisional colleagues throughout the publishing process, with the aim of delivering best-in-class audio
* Casts productions with creativity and authenticity, keeping up to date with new and existing voice talent and maintaining good working relationships with voice agents
* Manages the critical path, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure all titles are cast, scripts assigned, and audio delivered on time and to budget
* Liaises with in-house colleagues on all aspects of publishing – including acquisitions, pitches, marketing, publicity, sales and production – to ensure smooth running of the division’s audio schedule and promote the catalogue
* Negotiates narrator fees and terms with talent agents
* Works closely with assigned divisions to promote audio and advise on new opportunities and audio products, including identifying backlist opportunities
* Responsible for divisional audio rights pitches and acquisitions
* Delivers excellent author care on every project
Experience
* Experience working in the audio industry – this can include audio publishing, podcasting, radio, or other areas of the audio industry
* Experience in dealing with literary and/or theatrical agents and booking talent
* Strong knowledge of the audiobook market
* An in-depth knowledge of, and passion for, a broad range of adult fiction and non-fiction
Skills
* Strong project management skills and ability to oversee multiple projects at once
* Ability to work creatively to specific briefs
* Collaborative team player who can work with many internal and external stakeholders
* Highly organised with great time management skills
* Attention to detail and ability to apply this to the close reading and preparation of manuscripts, precise casting briefs, and intricate productions
* Commercial acumen – particularly in how to produce audio content that will drive sales and reach new consumers
* Proven interpersonal, relationship-building, communication and presentation skills
* Adept at coping with fast-paced agendas, changing schedules and tight deadlines
Benefits
* Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
* 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
* Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
* Private healthcare cover and life assurance
* Summer Hours
* Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
* Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
* Relocation Rent Support Loan
* Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
* Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
* Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
* Gym membership discount
* Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
* Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
* We\'re a certified Carbon Neutral company
* Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
* Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
* Onsite prayer room
At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly tostephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.ukwith subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr