Editor (10 month FTC)

London

Contract: Fixed-term

Closing date: 26 July 2026

Who we are and what we do

The Orchard Picture Books team are committed to publishing books packed with child appeal, and designed to delight, inspire, comfort and entertain little readers.

We are passionate about engaging the youngest minds and ensuring every child can see themselves reflected in a book. From playful, interactive preschool titles to bestselling picture books, children’s enjoyment is at the heart of everything we do – sowing the seeds for a lifelong love of reading.

Orchard Books is part of Hachette Children’s Group – one of the largest children’s publishers in the UK, with an outstanding track record in creating bestselling and award-winning books for children and young people. We are committed to raising readers whatever their age or interest, offering a book for every child at every stage on their reading journey.

Hachette Children's Group is a division of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 10 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.

What you'll be doing

Are you creative and collaborative, with a passion for children’s publishing? Do you have experience editing and managing illustrated books? Would you be excited to join a dynamic, motivated team, working with some of the industry’s best loved picture-book creators?

We’re looking for a highly organised, resourceful editor to work directly with a wide range of talented authors and illustrators to shape exceptional picture books, as well as developing new series concepts in-house. You’ll be imaginative, capable and an excellent communicator – both with internal and external stakeholders – and enjoy keeping a close eye on consumer trends and market changes.

Working with the Editorial Director, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality, engaging picture books, ensuring your titles are inclusive and diverse in their content, and meet the needs of little readers. You will champion your books in-house and keep your projects on schedule and on budget, ensuring the publishing process runs smoothly from concept to completion, and each title is positioned for success.

Who we are looking for

You will be proactive and motivated, with excellent project-management and organisational skills.

A good understanding of the design and illustration process for picture books is desirable, along with excellent proofreading and communication skills. A solid awareness of the children’s book market would be an advantage.

As this is a fixed term role, it will be important that you value collaboration and can quickly build effective and positive working relationships with colleagues and external contributors, underpinned by a clear verbal and written communication.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with energy and enthusiasm, creative vision and attention to detail, who is excited to work on picture books that will be loved by children for years to come.

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)

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

An active range of staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including AgeWise, Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing, Women in Tech and religious networks

Season ticket loans

And much more!

The role will be based at our London 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 base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, you can let us know at the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application. We’ll make sure you’re supported throughout the process.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking junior roles. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org