Assistant Editor / Editor, Children's Publishing Division

About the Company

Simon & Schuster is a major international publishing business with a broad catalogue spanning fiction and non-fiction across print, digital, and audio. Its list includes celebrated authors and many award-winning titles, and it operates through a number of well-known imprints and divisions in the UK and globally, reaching readers in more than 200 countries and territories.

About the Children's Division

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books is a fast-moving, high-performing part of a growing publishing house. The division was named British Book Awards Children’s Publisher of the Year 2023 and is expanding across several teams as it continues to pursue sustainable growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Fiction Publisher, this position is a strong opportunity for an editor who wants to deepen their publishing expertise while working across children’s fiction, graphic novels, and YA titles. You will join a lively and ambitious team and take on meaningful editorial responsibility across multiple books.

What the Role Involves

You will manage several projects at once, working both independently and alongside senior editorial colleagues. The work covers the full route from manuscript handover to printer-ready files, including structural editing, line editing, and proofreading, while coordinating with authors, agents, and freelance contributors.

In addition, you will work closely with production and design colleagues to keep projects moving to schedule. You will also collaborate with marketing, PR, and sales teams on launch plans, positioning, and internal and external promotion of authors and titles.

The role includes writing and reviewing jacket copy, ensuring that language and presentation remain clear, accurate, and consistent with the house style in partnership with the Managing Editor. You will also maintain the quality of metadata and coding in title management systems, and support the creation of advance information sheets and catalogue copy.

Occasionally, you may help prepare acquisition materials such as profit and loss documents and deal memos. Beyond day-to-day project editing, you will read submissions, write reports, and contribute ideas during acquisition discussions and brainstorming sessions. Commissioning may occasionally arise, though it is not a central responsibility.

What We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate has a strong enthusiasm for children’s books and, preferably, editorial experience in children’s fiction, although experience in other book editorial areas may also be considered. You should be motivated, adaptable, creative, and committed, with a sharp eye for detail and a track record of guiding multiple titles through the complete editorial workflow.

Because this is a small team, a hands-on approach is essential. You should be comfortable stepping in where needed and bring excellent communication, project coordination, organisation, and time management skills. The environment is busy, so flexibility and the ability to manage overlapping schedules are important. Familiarity with the children’s fiction market would be an advantage.

Salary

The starting salary is £30,000.

Application and Eligibility

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. The employer cannot accept applications from people who would need visa sponsorship. Right-to-work verification is completed for candidates at the offer stage.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The company is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, or gender expression. Inclusion is described as a core part of the organisation’s culture, with opportunity, access, resources, and rewards intended to be available to everyone.

Employment Terms

Anyone hired for this role will be employed by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd and will be subject to all applicable company policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice. Benefits will be provided only through the UK entity’s benefits plans.