Senior Commissioning Editor or Publisher, Classical Studies – Academic & Professional
MATERNITY COVER
The opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development of Bloomsbury’s award-winning academic division. Classical Studies is one of our most established academic lists, publishing across the UK secondary-school and global higher-education markets. With particular strengths in the fields of ancient drama, classical reception and language teaching, the list publishes a diverse portfolio from research monographs to student introductions.
We are seeking an experienced academic Senior Commissioning Editor/Publisher to cover a maternity leave and to continue the consistent growth enjoyed in recent years. Working with the support of an assistant editor, you will expand our publishing in some of the aforementioned areas across a range of product lines (textbooks, monographs and reference). The role will report to our Global Editorial Director for Literary Studies, Classics and Performing Arts.
The role
1. Strategic List Management: provides the strategic direction and is commercially responsible for Classical Studies within Bloomsbury’s Academic division; gathers market knowledge to identify priority areas and product types for development and list growth
2. Commissioning: commissions new books to meet market need, across the secondary-school and higher-education markets and building on core monograph series and standalone titles in key strategic areas
3. Analysis: monitors, reviews and analyses the performance of the list
4. Representation: attendance at conferences in the UK and internationally, campus visits and sales conferences
5. Interdepartmental Liaison: works closely with marketing, sales, production and design teams; liaises with Bloomsbury’s US office and external stakeholders including the UK exam board OCR
6. Line Management: manages the Assistant Editor for Classical Studies
Knowledge, skills, experience
7. Familiarity with the list’s subject area definite advantage, including a network of contacts, is preferable
8. Knowledge of the secondary-school market and exams desirable
9. Knowledge of academic publishing trends and developments, for example in digital and Open Access publishing
10. Line management experience
11. Proactive, confident self-starter and a collaborative team player
12. Creative and commercial approach to list development, management and commissioning
13. Strong analytic and financial skills and a competent user of publishing software systems
14. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally
15. Positive outlook, strong problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills
16. Meticulous attention to detail
Additional information
The role is a 4-day-a-week (28-hours-a-week) part-time fixed term position for 12 months from April 2025.
Salary starting from £37,000 (full time equivalent) if at Senior Commissioning Editor level – salary offered will depend on skills and experience and the level hired at
The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid-working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are: Wednesday and Thursday.
For best results, please use a desktop to apply as some mobile browsers may not fully support the application portal.
Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications
Bloomsbury Benefits
As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:
Working Pattern
17. Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)
Holidays
18. 25 days holiday
19. 3.5 days Christmas company holiday
Other Benefits
20. Two paid Personal Wellness Days
21. Flexible Fridays – take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week
22. Work Anywhere Fortnight - For two weeks of any calendar year. The minimum period for Working Anywhere is one week, the maximum period is two weeks.
23. Season Ticket Loan
24. Share Save Scheme
25. AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
26. Peppy Health App
27. In-house Doctor
28. Eye Care Voucher Scheme
Company culture – Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom, Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers, Multi-Faith) and 14 Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources
For additional benefits see below
Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.