Editorial Director, Cornerstone Press (12-month FTC)

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Penguin Books Limited’s Cornerstone Press is seeking an Editorial Director for a 12 month FTC in London to lead a frontlist of health, relationships, psychology and personal development titles, edit and project manage nine frontlist books and oversee 12-15 authors, while guiding UK-originated titles and boosting backlist sales. The role rewards deep market know-how, strong author care, and sharp commercial judgment, plus meticulous project management and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Rights and Production. To apply, tailor your CV and cover letter to show profitable publishing in upmarket non fiction, provide concrete examples of launches, campaigns and author relationships, and demonstrate flexibility for a hybrid arrangement. Deadline Feb 15.

Editorial Director, Cornerstone Press (12-month FTC)

We are looking for an Editorial Director to join Cornerstone’s renowned practical non-fiction list, Cornerstone Press, to cover a period of leave. You will edit, project manage and publish a standout list of health, relationships, psychology and personal development titles, leading the publishing process and aligning cross-functional teams to successfully launch some of the biggest and most exciting non-fiction books of the year. Some of the authors you will be working with are Amir Levine, Daisy Fancourt, Eric Topol, the Dalai Lama, Florence Comite, Daniel Goleman and Hector Garcia & Francesc Mirelles.

About the team

Cornerstone Press is a home to big ideas with practical applications: books to help you build the foundations of your life, whether you’re looking to change your day-to-day patterns or understand the world in which they happen. We publish prize-winning and bestselling experts in areas such as personal development, health, relationships, lifestyle, psychology, business and economics.

Shortlisted for Imprint of the Year at the British Book Awards 2024, we are proud to publish many of the most influential and acclaimed non-fiction writers of our time, including Ali Abdaal, James Clear, Jim Collins, Charles Duhigg, Amy Edmondson, Prentis Hemphill, Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes, Rahul Jandial, Philippa Perry, Kate Raworth and Chris van Tulleken. Cornerstone Press is part of the Cornerstone division of Penguin Random House UK.

The role

You will be the primary editor for a vibrant list of Cornerstone Press authors writing in areas such as health, relationships, psychology, personal development and lifestyle.

Over the course of the FTC you will be responsible for project managing, positioning and publishing around nine frontlist books, and will also be the main point of contact within Cornerstone for a wider list of around a dozen frontlist authors – including some of the UK’s most notable authors writing practical non-fiction. You will also be responsible for editing UK-originated titles and keeping them on critical path, and maximising the sales of select backlist titles. While this is not primarily a commissioning role, there will be occasional opportunities to reacquire existing Cornerstone Press authors and pursue select new projects.

The role will be particularly suitable for someone who has:

• A deep knowledge of the practical non-fiction market – particularly in the areas listed above – and a track record of publishing successfully into it.
• A commercially minded approach to editing and positioning books, with the ability to make a varied list of titles appeal to the right markets.
• Fastidious project management skills, including the organisational nous required to keep 8–10 books per year on schedule.
• A knack for generating buzz around books both internally and externally, whether by leading the in-house publishing teams or by building excitement among journalists, booksellers and authors.
• Impeccable author care skills – with the ability to accommodate the needs of a diverse array of writers, be they academics, journalists or influencers.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading practical non-fiction imprints, and to play an integral role in launching some of the biggest publications of 2026–7. It is the perfect role for a high-energy Editorial Director looking to gain experience at one of the industry’s best-regarded non-fiction imprints, or a Senior Commissioning Editor hungry to start publishing future bestsellers at the very highest level.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver a significant frontlist publishing programme while continuing to commission new projects.
• Steward and grow major bestselling backlist authors and brands; manage a portfolio of c.12-15 authors/projects and their long-term publishing plans.
• Set the publishing vision for each title - positioning, packaging, pricing, format and campaign approach - to drive reach, reputation and profitability.
• Champion titles in key meetings and mobilise cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, Rights, Production, Finance), including audio and digital where appropriate.
• Spot and act on market opportunities, publication timing and backlist activation to grow the imprint and author brands year on year.
• Maintain exceptional editorial standards and oversee smooth end-to-end delivery on time and within budget, commissioning and managing freelancers as needed.
• Edit selected projects as required, including structural editing where appropriate.
• Contribute to wider conversations about non-fiction acquisitions and imprint strategy, including reading and helping appraise titles raised at the team editorial meeting

What you’ll bring

Essential criteria:

• A strong track record of successful, profitable publishing within expert-led, upmarket non-fiction.
• Excellent commercial judgement and market awareness; strong analytical market knowledge and a clear view of what is required to sell
• Outstanding author care and relationship-building skills with agents and prospective authors.
• Confident negotiation, communication and presentation skills; able to influence across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong project management and delivery focus; able to move between big-picture strategy and detail.
• Comfortable taking ownership of complex, long-running projects and quickly getting up to speed with established authors and publishing history.

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 [email protected]. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with, for us to support your request.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 15th February. 

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Salary

£50,000 - £55,000 per annum, dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Hybrid working

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect you to attend our offices in Embassy Gardens, London, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the choice to work from home on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

 Company: Penguin Books Limited | Job ID: 285872