Job Title: Editor
Department: Picador
Contract: Permanent, full-time

We are looking for a creative, switched-on, proactive and organized Editor to join the Picador non-fiction team. The Editor will work alongside a Publishing Director and Senior Commissioning Editor for non-fiction, across a range of non-fiction projects, as a key member of the non-fiction team. In addition, they will commission two or three non-fiction titles of their own per year, and play a key role in generating new projects. This is an ideal role for someone who is at Assistant Editor level, or who is already at Editor level, who has commissioned at least two books and published at least one.

Your team:
Picador is the literary imprint at Pan Macmillan and what defines a Picador book is the author’s voice: we believe the way a story is told is just as important as the story itself. We are home to prize-winning, internationally renowned writers and we are the proud publisher of many bestselling titles. Picador has an extraordinary and award-winning list of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry: over our fifty-year history we have published some of the finest writers and thinkers of our times. Our writers include Patrick Radden Keefe, Rachel Clarke, Sathnam Sanghera, David Olusoga, Natalie Haynes, Michelle Zauner, Daniel Trilling, Jeremy Bowen, Lisa Feldman Barrett, The Secret Barrister, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Judith Mackrell, Steve Brusatte and Mahmoud Khalil.

Your role:
In this wide-ranging role you will be a key member of the team. You need to have excellent knowledge and experience of every stage of the publishing cycle, from acquisition to publication and beyond, and experience of taking full responsibility for a range of non-fiction projects. You will be working with a number of existing Picador authors, and will be able to demonstrate the ability to form strong relationships with authors and agents, and have edited a range of serious non-fiction projects. An interest in popular science is desirable. We are looking for someone who is thorough, resourceful and organized, who can multitask and meet deadlines, and who is a very keen reader of a wide range of non-fiction and highly engaged with our current world.

Your key responsibilities:

• Manage projects: Guide a wide range of books through the editorial process, from reading and assessing manuscripts for possible publication and drafting cover copy to preparing information for the Sales and Communications teams and pitching and presenting books to colleagues.

• Commissioning: Acquire two or three non-fiction titles per year.

• Maintain production workflows: Coordinate multiple book projects at various stages of production, ensuring each title for which you have responsibility moves smoothly towards publication.

• Manage rights and permissions: Clear permissions for both text and images to ensure all content is correctly and legally sourced and documented.

• Liaise with global partners: Coordinate effectively with international publishers to support the global reach of our titles.

• Facilitate author relations: Manage the distribution of books and proofs to authors and key stakeholders, acting as a supportive point of contact for their queries and schedules.

• Oversee essential administration: Maintain accuracy within Biblio (our central bibliographic system) and facilitate the approval of contracts and author payments.

• Act as a departmental ambassador: Work with the editorial assistant to field external enquiries and serve as a reliable point of contact for colleagues across the business regarding the publishing schedule.

• Support list development: Read and provide thoughtful and market-aware reports on incoming manuscripts, helping the Publishing Director and Senior Commissioning Editor, as well as the wider editorial team, identify projects that align with the Picador list.

• Track industry trends: Stay informed by reading a wide range of contemporary non-fiction (and fiction) beyond our own list to maintain a strong awareness of the market.

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:

• Trade publishing experience: Proven experience working within trade publishing at Assistant Editor or Editor level, with a deep understanding of the commercial market and book lifecycle.

• Commissioning track record: Demonstrable experience in commissioning, having successfully acquired at least two non-fiction titles and seen at least one through to publication.

• Administrative excellence: Effective organizational skills with a proven ability to prioritize tasks and manage a varied and unpredictable workflow effectively.

• Industry knowledge: A demonstrable passion for books and the publishing industry, particularly for Picador’s non-fiction list.

• Editorial discernment: Proven editing, proof-reading and copywriting skills; ability to review and assess proposals and manuscripts for quality, clarity, and tone.

• Clear and effective communication: Effective written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably, sensitively, and professionally.

• Influencing skills: Ability to negotiate deals and contracts, as well as pitch ideas and projects effectively both internally and externally.

• Solution-oriented: A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to adapt to changing business needs while maintaining high standards of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Software/tools: Experience working with systems and tools such as MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, Canva and Biblio.

• 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.

What you’ll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: £35,000 - £38,000

Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.

Closing date: 12 July 2026

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 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

How to apply & eligibility:

• Our process: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.

• Our timelines: 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.

• Right to work: All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Our commitment to 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.

Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.

Adjustment & support:
We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.

Privacy notice:
All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.