Description
Please note, this role is open to internal canidates only and applications from external candiates will not be considered.
The Story Society is seeking a Story Operations Lead to unify our ambitious multi-platform publishing portfolio — spanning books, video, live events, and interactive media productions. This role is ideally suited to someone who thrives on shaping robust systems and operational structures that serve others, enabling emerging writers and producers to deliver work of international quality and impact.
We are looking for someone with the acumen and authority to design and run a publishing production line that integrates creative vision with financial and logistical discipline. Whilst this role has a strong creative production component, it is not an opportunity to develop one's own career as an author, researcher, or lecturer. The right candidate will take satisfaction in ensuring stability, coherence, and delivery at scale, acting not as a client of The Story Society but as its central publishing and operational lead.
This is a fixed term contract for a period of 13 months.
About the Role
The Story Operations Lead will ensure seamless project execution, compliance, and the highest standards of creativity and efficiency. They will lead commissioning and production cycles, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver integrated publishing outputs.
Key areas of responsibility include:
Financial and Data Oversight
Strategically interpret and apply financial and operational data to ensure the sustainable delivery of ambitious, multi-platform publishing portfolios.
Story Governance and Compliance
Uphold publishing, editorial, branding, legal, ethical, and organisational standards, proactively managing risks to safeguard our public identity and reputation.
Operational and Editorial Logistics
Programme, produce, and deliver ambitious multi-platform publications with editorial coherence, logistical discipline, and operational precision.
Pre- and Post-Award Commissioning Cycles
Design and implement robust commissioning and production systems that provide clarity, accountability, and consistent quality across multiple projects and collaborators.
External and Inter-Departmental Literary Ecosystem Planning
Build and sustain strategic partnerships, contracts, and operational structures that enable long-term coherence, innovation, and sector impact.
Personal Qualities in Action
Demonstrate value-based leadership, resilience, and a solutions-driven approach, inspiring teams and collaborators to achieve ambitious goals while serving the vision of others.
About You
We are looking for someone with the following skills and personal qualities
Assessed at application stage:
* A degree in English, Creative Writing, Publishing, Media, or a related discipline (with GCSE Maths Grade A or equivalent), or equivalent experience
* Extensive professional experience in multi-platform publishing operations, including designing, commissioning, and delivering high-quality outputs (must be able to produce books, films, manuscripts, live/online events, & interactive productions).
* Proven track record in overseeing and integrating complex portfolios, including financial planning, budget oversight, and resource allocation, with evidence of delivering multi-strand, national-level productions on time and within scope.
* Demonstrable experience of pre- and post-award management, including preparing reports, monitoring compliance, and ensuring accountability to funders and partners.
* Experience liaising with and influencing diverse stakeholders within UK Creative Writing ecologies, including funders, collaborators and external partners.
* Experience liaising with and influencing diverse stakeholders within UK Creative Writing Ecologies, including authors, funders, collaborators and external partners.
Assessed at interview stage:
* Financial and Data Oversight: Able to strategically interpret financial and operational data to ensure the sustainable delivery of complex, multi-platform publishing portfolios.
* Story Governance and Compliance: Ensures all outputs meet branding, legal, ethical, and organisational standards, managing risk while safeguarding operational integrity across diverse projects.
* Operational and Editorial Logistics: Expert in programming, producing, and delivering ambitious multi-platform publications with editorial coherence and operational precision.
* Pre- and Post-Award Commissioning Cycles: Designs and implements commissioning and production systems that ensure clarity, accountability, and high-quality output across multiple projects and partners.
* External and Inter-Departmental Literary Ecosystem Planning: Builds and maintains internal and external partnerships, operational structures, and initiatives that support sustainable, coherent, and ambitious multi-platform publishing.
* Personal Qualities: Demonstrates value-based leadership, resilience, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset, inspiring teams and collaborators to achieve ambitious, multi-platform outcomes while balancing operational, editorial, and strategic priorities.
Additional Information
Salary Grade 8s - Starting from £44,746
Staff Benefits
We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including
* Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher's Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement
* Enhanced paid leave days depending on the role (Full Time) - more details here:
* Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, wellbeing support and advice, and access to counselling
* Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work
* Wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through and easy-to-use app
For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page:
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
About Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University is where creative minds meet. Offering a wide range of courses across the arts, sciences, education, social science and business to over 7,500 students, the University employs outstanding creative professionals which support its aim to be a leading educational institution in creativity, culture and enterprise.
Based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City, Bath Spa University was voted Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2024, and an impressive 84% of our staff said they would recommend the University to a friend as a good place to work.
We are a community of colleagues, striving for excellence to ensure students thrive. Our values are:
* Respect
* Inclusivity
* Collaboration
* Sustainability
We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community. We foster inclusivity, celebrating and respecting differences. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and genders. We consider our recruitment practices to be comprehensive and unbiased; ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all.