Senior Managing Editor, Vintage,
We publish some of the world’s most thought-provoking, unforgettable, beautifully designed books – from contemporary trail-blazers to our red-spine Vintage classics.
Which means that our broad family of authors ranges from world-class prize-winners to brand new, emerging talent. We know the thrill of coming across an undiscovered work of genius, of reading a classic that you’ve always meant to, of finding a book that speaks urgently to us and our times. Join our accomplished team and contribute to a legacy of excellence and innovation in publishing.
The role
The Senior Managing Editor has the role of second in command under the Managing Editorial Director and helps with the smooth running of the publishing of the Vintage division. This includes overseeing some of Vintage’s highest-priority titles in first and second formats through all aspects of the editing and publishing processes and coordinating all editorial processes of book production from copy-edit through to press. The Senior Managing Editor is, in collaboration with the Managing Editorial Director, responsible for optimising our publishing systems and processes in the pursuit of efficiency across the division.
Key responsibilities:
1. Deputising for the Managing Editorial Director in their absence; contributing to progress meetings and running these meetings if the Managing Editorial Director is away
2. Helping with the supervision of the work of the Managing Editorial team
3. Responsibility for identifying and addressing inefficiencies in our company workflows and for driving the standardisation of editorial processes and systems
4. Recruitment and management of editorial freelancers
5. Developing Vintage house style in collaboration with the Managing Editorial Director.
6. Working closely with Editorial, Production and Design (and to some extent with Marketing and Publicity) to see titles through from manuscript to press
7. Acting as the focal point between Editorial, Production and Design on specific titles
8. Communicating deadlines/critical path to the relevant imprints and chasing progress
9. Recording progress and costs in the relevant systems/Biblio with Managing Editorial Assistant
Editorial tasks:
10. Maintaining good relationships with authors and freelancers
11. Managing the editorial production process for a number of specified titles (including, but not limited to, complex non-fiction and four-colour books including cookery)
12. Co-ordinating and assessing the work of freelances, ensuring their work is to the required standard of editorial excellence
13. Collating manuscripts and proofs and checking proof corrections for specified titles
14. Proofreading jackets and covers
15. Proofreading marketing/publicity materials, including book-proof covers; proofreading pitch documents
16. Any other tasks assigned by the Managing Editorial Director
Skills/characteristics
17. Delivery-focused with experience of managing projects and processes, with strong personal organisation and time-management skills
18. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people; a team player with interpersonal sensitivity
19. Solutions-focused. Motivated to ensure our publishing schedule delivers to critical path, but able to deviate from carefully laid plans when necessary
20. Impeccable grammar, spelling and proofreading skills and close attention to detail
Essential criteria:
21. Experience of overseeing titles in the manner required and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously
22. Desk-editing (including collation), copy-editing and proofreading
23. Initiative, independence and flexibility
24. Demonstrable in-house experience overseeing a list of titles
25. A strong understanding of trade publishing in general and the editorial/production process in particular
Preferred criteria:
26. Line-management experience
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 20th August 2025.
As part of your cover letter, we would like you to include an example in 500 words of a time you had to deviate from your carefully laid plan for a book project.
Salary
Up to £48,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will be in our Embassy Gardens office 3 days a week.
Company: The Random House Group Limited | Job ID: 281763