Editorial Director

Pan Macmillan

EditorialFull Time£55k - £65k
Location
London, UK (Remote)
Posted
July 3, 2026

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Job Description

Role overview

Join our award-winning Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) and First Ink publishing team! As Editorial Director, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to grow our YA imprint, First Ink. You will inspire a new generation by publishing outstanding books for readers aged 6+, including middle grade, with a core focus on YA and crossover fiction.

You will be an essential part of a passionate and creative team dedicated to publishing a diverse, engaging, and dynamic list for readers. We have an exceptional list of authors and high-profile brands, which includes YA voices such as Tomi Adeyemi, Elle McNicoll, and Hafsah Faizal; middle-grade authors like M. G. Leonard, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and Pari Thomson; and non-fiction from influential figures like Hamza Yassin, Marcus Rashford, and Dara McAnulty. We have also been publishing poetry at Macmillan for thirty years on our award-winning list.

Responsibilities

  • Competitively build the First Ink & MCB fiction lists: Identify and acquire new books for publication, working closely with authors, agents, and external partners to grow our middle-grade and YA list, including managing high-level auctions.
  • Publish existing titles: Manage and support our existing book lists to ensure ongoing commercial success across global markets.
  • Manage editorial stages: Edit assigned titles at every stage of production, from initial structural layout down to detailed line editing.
  • Monitor market trends: Research and track industry trends to inform future book acquisitions and overall publishing strategies.
  • Negotiate deals and contract terms: Draft, negotiate, and complete contract terms for new book acquisitions.
  • Cross-functional teamwork: Partner closely with design, production, sales, rights, and communications teams to successfully launch and promote our books.
  • Line management: Act as a direct line manager for assigned team members, responsible for their day-to-day guidance, setting individual goals, and helping them maximize their performance.

Requirements

  • Children’s and YA expertise: Significant experience working within the publishing industry, and a genuine passion for children’s and YA literature, particularly for MCB and First Ink’s lists.
  • Competitive negotiation skills: Proven success in managing high-level auctions and competitive negotiations.
  • Commercial trend spotting: A commercially minded approach with a proven ability to identify, track, and react to market trends.
  • Advanced editing skills: Proven experience completing structural edits, developmental edits, and line edits to a high standard, alongside experience adapting or editing US-originated books.
  • Project management oversight: The ability to plan, track, and manage complex publishing projects effectively from start to finish, and a proven ability to organize, prioritize, and manage your workload to meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
  • Clear communication style: Effective spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably and professionally.
  • Publishing network connections: Established professional relationships with literary agents and a wide network within the broader publishing community.
  • Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
  • Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
  • Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
  • Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

Desirable

skills

  • Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Google Workspace, and Biblio.
  • Mentorship & leadership: Previous experience in a line-management role within a creative team.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 (dependent on experience and expertise)
  • A range of great projects
  • A supportive and collaborative working environment
  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
  • Generous pension scheme
  • Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan
  • Group income protection scheme
  • Enhanced family pay and leave
  • Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
  • 2 volunteer days per year
  • 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
  • Season ticket loan/advance
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounts on shopping and gym memberships
  • Christmas club savings
  • Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

Application Information

  • All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.
  • Closing date: 17 July 2026
  • This is a full-time, permanent role, based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
  • Because we review every application thoroughly and with care, our shortlisting process can take some time. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your application.
  • All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve. You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge here.

Disability Confident Scheme

As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section. Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance.