Editor / Commissioning Editor, Penguin Classics (Penguin Press, 12-month FTC)

An opportunity has arisen for an Editor or Commissioning Editor to join Penguin Press on an initial 12-month fixed-term contract. This role is based at our offices in Embassy Gardens.

About the team

Penguin Classics is the world’s largest and best-known library of classic literature. Ranging from the epics of the ancient past to the novels, plays, essays and poetry of the twentieth century, the list includes works by authors such as Marcus Aurelius, Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Shirley Jackson, Hannah Arendt, Seichō Matsumoto and John le Carré. The Penguin Classics series is published by Penguin Press, which is also home to the non-fiction imprints Allen Lane, Pelican and Particular Books, and a contemporary poetry list.

The role

In this role, you will have the opportunity to acquire and publish new titles in the Penguin Classics series, while also taking on editorial responsibility for several forthcoming titles on a colleague’s list during their parental leave. The role will involve generating ideas, acquiring rights, commissioning and editing translations and other new material, and guiding manuscripts through to publication. You will work closely with Penguin Press colleagues on each book’s positioning, copy, design, publicity and marketing strategy. Building strong relationships with authors, translators, agents and estates will also be essential.

What you’ll bring

You will be an intellectually curious editor with a passion for discovering books from different languages and cultures, wide-ranging taste, and an ability to connect works from the past with readers today. You’ll need the editorial judgement and project-management skills to develop a book from acquisition through to publication, and a strong instinct for what makes a successful Penguin Classic. You’ll also have excellent editing and copywriting skills, with the ability to work confidently with complex material.

You will work across our series, but we would particularly like to hear from candidates with an interest in the Penguin Classics black-spine list, which focuses on books that are out of copyright.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter (both in pdf format) outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Wednesday 18th of November 2026. In your letter, please also tell us about title that you think we should publish in Penguin Classics. The cover letter should be uploaded as an additional document.

Salary

Circa £35,000-£45,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Use of AI tools

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your thoughts, experiences and skills in your own voice.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you’ll bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

Hybrid working

For this role we expect that you come into the office at least three days a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Requirements

We anticipate a two-stage in-person interview process. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.