Managing Editor, Quarto Children’s Books
Are you someone who enjoys coordinating creative publishing projects and helping them run smoothly from start to finish?
Quarto Children’s Books seeks a highly organised Managing Editor to coordinate the delivery of our illustrated children’s publishing programme. You will oversee schedules, workflows, and publishing processes to ensure our books are delivered on time and to a high standard.
As Managing Editor, you will coordinate publishing operations and support the delivery of innovative children’s books for UK, US, and international markets.
Contract
Permanent
Salary
From £40,000 per year
Closing date
31st March 2026
Working hours
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. We currently operate a discretionary hybrid model, with three days in our London office and two working from home.
About the role
The Managing Editor will ensure smooth delivery of Quarto Children’s publishing programmes by maintaining schedules and coordinating editorial, administrative, and metadata processes.
You will coordinate the publishing process from acquisition to publication, working with Publishers, Design, and Production to deliver titles on time and to a high standard.
You will also manage Publishing Assistants and Post-Production Designers, supporting editorial administration and post-production across the division.
What you will be involved in:
* Overseeing publishing schedules across the children’s list, maintaining critical paths and troubleshooting delivery issues where necessary.
* Coordinating workflows across editorial, design and production teams to ensure efficient progress of titles through the publishing process.
* Managing and developing publishing processes and administrative systems to support the delivery of illustrated children’s books.
* Line managing Publishing Assistants and Post-Production Designers, supporting their development and allocating workloads effectively.
* Ensuring metadata processes and standards are implemented across the publishing teams and that title information is accurate and up to date.
* Managing editorial freelancers where required, including copyeditors and proofreaders.
* Maintaining publishing systems and internal documentation, including workflow processes and style guides.
* Supporting regular progress meetings and ensuring schedules, priorities and actions are clearly tracked.
* Working closely with Production, Design and Publishing teams to support the smooth delivery of projects.
About you
You are highly organised, experienced with illustrated books, and skilled at managing complex publishing workflows and schedules in a collaborative environment.
You work well across teams, balance priorities, and maintain high standards and attention to detail.
You will be able to show you can:
* Manage publishing workflows and schedules across multiple projects.
* Coordinate teams and processes to deliver books on time and to budget.
* Maintain strong editorial and administrative standards.
* Oversee publishing systems and ensure metadata accuracy and compliance.
* Manage and support team members.
* Work collaboratively with editorial, design and production teams.
* Stay organised while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
What we can offer
A supportive, open environment with development opportunities, as well as the following benefits:
* 25 days paid holiday per year (increasing up to 30 days per year), plus bank holidays
* Cultural appreciation day (to honour a cultural holiday which is significant to you, separate to your holiday entitlement)
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Staff discounts on selected shops, retailers, and restaurants
* Health Cash Plan
* Pension
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Summer hours
* Free books scheme
* Active social and diversity committees
* Open plan, hot desking office environment