Editor, Paper Sailor - DK LIFE
DK
- Location
- London, UK (Hybrid)
- Posted
- June 12, 2026
- Expires
- June 28, 2026
Job Description
Role overview
We are looking for an Editor to join the DK Life team and work directly with Publisher Richard Atkinson across a range of illustrated non-fiction lifestyle books on the Paper Sailor list. Paper Sailor is DK’s new author-led, design-driven lifestyle imprint – so new that our first titles won’t land until 2027. Ours will be joyful, optimistic books that are the very best in their field. Among the brilliant authors who have already found a home on the list are Niki Segnit and Sam & Sam Clark, and we will also publish exciting debuts such as the upcoming cookbook from Chatsworth Bakehouse.
Reporting to our Executive Editor, you will work on around 8–12 books a year, from concept to finished copies. You’ll be liaising with production, rights and sales colleagues as well as freelance designers, photographers and editors. Strong communication and project management skills are essential, as well as a keen eye for design, a feel for good prose and overall impeccable attention to detail. Working across an eclectic list that majors in food, but also includes architecture, crafts, gardening, music and travel, you’ll need to have a real enthusiasm for the logistics of creating exceptional colour books.
This will be an ideal opportunity for progression for an existing Assistant Editor or, perhaps, someone already in an Editor position who is looking for a new challenge.
Responsibilities
- Work on around 8–12 books a year, from concept to finished copies.
- Liaise with production, rights and sales colleagues.
- Collaborate with freelance designers, photographers, and editors.
Qualifications
- Proven experience of working on 4-colour illustrated books for co-edition markets.
- Familiarity with InDesign is essential.
- Familiarity with Biblio is desirable.
- Strong communication and project management skills.
- A keen eye for design.
- A feel for good prose.
- Impeccable attention to detail.
- Enthusiasm for the logistics of creating exceptional colour books.
Logistics
- This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three days a week based in our London office.
- This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in our Pimlico office.
- Please ensure you are within a reasonable commuting distance of London before applying.
Application Information
- Apply with your CV and a covering letter by midnight on Sunday 28 June.
- Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
- As part of your covering letter, please answer the following question: Tell us about a title you have worked on, and what were your responsibilities?
- We are eager to see your own unique voice and talent, not the words generated by an AI tool.
- Please refrain from using AI in this application.
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: £32,820–£35,500, depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
- 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Volunteering policy and charity matching.
- Employee assistance programme.
- 70% discount on company books.
- Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership.
- Shopping discounts.
- Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*).
- Up to 30 days remote working from abroad* (*Subject to certain criteria being met).
- We plant a tree for every new employee to our business.
Diversity and Inclusion
- DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world.
- We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background.
- DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.
- DK is a member of the disability confident scheme.
- We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.
- DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office.
Applicant Support
- 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 or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org