Publishing Director, Ebury Smart (12-month FTC)  

Lead the Ebury Smart non-fiction publishing hub at Penguin Random House UK as Publishing Director and Head of the Smart Hub. This is a 12-month fixed term contract to cover a period of parental leave, beginning March 2027. The Hub publishes bold voices and big ideas across memoir, biography, culture, history, politics, current affairs and science. The role involves leading a team, setting strategy, acquisitions and commissioning, and building author and agent relationships. The role follows a hybrid working model, with office attendance typically on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Responsibilities

Set the vision and strategy for Ebury Smart, continuing to shape an ambitious, distinctive and commercially successful list; Inspire and lead a talented team, fostering a culture of creativity, pace and inclusion; Lead acquisitions, signing exceptional authors and ideas with both creative flair and commercial impact; Keep commissioning ambitious and exciting across memoir, biography, narrative non-fiction, current affairs, history, science and big ideas; Represent Ebury Smart at the highest level, building influential relationships across agents, authors, experts and partners; Build brilliant author relationships, championing talent at every stage of their careers and ensuring every book is published to the highest standard, balancing creative ambition with sharp commercial and operational delivery; Drive true collaboration across editorial, marketing and publicity to create distinctive, culture-shaping campaigns; Use insight and instinct to make smart, confident decisions that grow the reach and success of the list

Requirements

A strong track record of commissioning successful, ambitious non-fiction, with an established network of authors and agents; A sure eye and gut instinct for standout talent and ideas, and the persuasive power to bring them on board; Strong editorial judgement and a passion for voice-driven, character-led and ideas-led non-fiction; The ability to see ahead of the curve, spot emerging conversations and identify books that can capture the cultural moment; Strong commercial judgement, combining creative ambition with a clear understanding of audiences and the non-fiction market; The ability to build trusted relationships with authors and agents, from established names to emerging experts and exciting debutants; The ability to inspire and bring people with you, contributing to a creative, collaborative and inclusive team culture; Relentless creativity and an entrepreneurial approach to generating ideas and opportunities; A commitment to diversifying our talent and reach ever-wider audiences

Nice to have

Experience in voice-driven memoir; Expertise in shepherding high-profile publications in this space through the publishing process

Benefits

Bonus; Benefits