Publicity Director – Octopus
Division: Octopus (publishing division of Hachette UK).
Department: Publicity.
Locations: London & Sheffield.
Salary: £55,000+ (dependent on experience and location, plus bonus and benefits).
Contact type: Full Time Permanent.
Closing date: Thursday, 13th November 2025.
* Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
* Employment type: Full‑time
* Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
* Industries: Education
What you’ll be doing
As Publicity Director at Octopus you will lead, inspire and develop a high‑performing publicity team, managing a team of four publicists. You’ll oversee and execute strategic, creative publicity campaigns that drive awareness and sales. You will take the lead on some of Octopus’ key authors and brands, working closely with the Communications & Brand Director to ensure continued coverage that translates to growth in sales. The person in this role will also manage budgets effectively, ensuring impressive ROI and encouraging a strong financial understanding within the team.
You will be highly organised and consistently drive innovation, spotting new trends and opportunities to engage the media and ultimately reach readers in fresh, engaging ways. You will already have outstanding relationships within the media and will continue to build and nurture these as well as relationships with authors, agents, and colleagues across Hachette UK and internationally. The Publicity Director will play an important role in key meetings and collaborate across the business, particularly with Marketing, Sales, and Editorial.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a Publicity Director that wants to create and oversee campaigns that truly make a mark, representing both firmly established and up‑and‑coming voices and brands in publishing.
We’re looking for someone with a proven track record in leading impactful publicity campaigns in publishing (or a related creative industry), with experience managing and motivating teams to deliver outstanding results. Our ideal candidate will have strong media contacts and excellent relationships with event producers, booksellers and festival organisers, and the ability to open new doors. The role is perfect for a strategic thinker with commercial awareness and creative flair, with proven communication, negotiation and organisational skills, and who is confident managing budgets and prioritising and allocating resources effectively.
What we offer
* 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years' service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years' (+ bank holidays)
* Private medical insurance
* Dental insurance
* Generous pension schemes
* Rent deposit loans
* 2 community days per year
* Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
* Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Eye care vouchers
* Wide‑ranging training library
* Development programmes (including mentoring)
* Up to 70% off book purchases
* A charity bookshelf
* 12 staff‑led employee networks that are voluntary, including AgeWise, Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
* Season ticket loans
* And much more!
The role will be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in‑office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a broad base of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio‑economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.
If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.
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