Job Description
Are you an innovative and passionate children’s book editor ready for a fantastic new opportunity? Do you have a proven track-record managing a highly commercial picture, novelty and board book list? We have an exciting opening for someone to join our dynamic editorial team.
At Curious Universe, we pride ourselves on creating brilliant products for everyone to enjoy. We’re a trailblazing company with a universal mission: to create out-of-this world product and more that make people feel inspired and happy inside.
For tiny tots to the young at heart, we love nothing more than delivering groundbreakingly awesome books, toys, craft and stationery for everyone, everywhere.
As a senior part of our Editorial team, this role will focus on our children’s book and stationery ranges. Working closely with the Editorial Director and Director of Product, this role will be responsible for creatively leading a large and varied list.
The Lead Editor will project manage, write and commission all editorial content, as well as creatively managing Editors and Assistant Editors on an approved list of titles.
Main Responsibilities
- To have editorial responsibility for a list of CUL products, including commissioning editorial content, creating schedules, proofreading, editorial management and quality control. This will focus mainly on Books and Stationery
- Creatively manage an agreed list of titles with Editors and Assistant Editors, including briefing out titles, signing of their Sales Material briefs and manuscripts, keeping them on track and to schedule
- Schedule in bi-weekly 121s with the team, as a space to creatively chat through their list of managed titles
- Quality control – working hard to ensure all products that are managed and worked on by the Editors and Assistant Editors is to standard, age appropriate and editorially sound
- Working closely with the Editorial Director to creatively plan products and concepts by carrying out research and attending brainstorming meetings
- Deputising for the Editorial Director by attending meetings and helping with product sign-off at peak times
- Ensure any sales material is created to the agreed deadlines and is commercial, age appropriate, on-brand, on-trend, suitable for translations and of a high standard
- Ensure that all product is created and delivered on budget
- Act as creative point of contact internally and externally for a list of projects
- Create briefs for in-house designers or external freelancers, agreeing budgets with the Director of Product and supplying contracts as required
- Identify potential new authors, proof-readers, editors and other freelance contributors and review talent pool to ensure best people are being used
- Keep up to date with developments in the Children’s book, stationery, craft, and toy market, press, trends and design/photography, and awareness of competitor product
- Propose new format ideas and innovative content
Required skills
- At least 5 years relevant experience in a similar role within a related industry (ideally in Children’s Publishing)
- Exceptional organisation skills and fully able to build workable schedules and project timelines that ensure all key deadlines are met
- Highly creative and innovative, with the ability to problem-solve
- Strong editorial, proofreading and copy-writing skills
- Design knowledge and strong written and verbal communication skills
- Basic understanding of Adobe InDesign and Acrobat
- Experience of managing multiple schedules
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Able to build successful working relationships with external suppliers
- Initiative, honesty and integrity
- Positive can-do attitude within a fast-changing environment
- A team player
Benefits
Here is just a flavour of benefits on offer which we continue to evolve:
- Auto enrolled pension
- 25 days holiday
- Life assurance at x2 of salary
- Healthshield Cashplan to help with day to day health costs
- Extra day off to celebrate your birthday.
- Work where you work best – our approach to provide an element of hybrid working.
- Regular social events including a big summer and Xmas party.
- Annual volunteering day
- Long service awards