Audio Editor HarperCollins Publishers

Employment Type Full time

Location Hybrid · London, UK 3+ days office based

Salary £31,500 - £34,000 (GBP)

Team Digital/Audio

Seniority Junior

Closing:12:56am, 9th Feb 2025 GMTPerks and benefits

Work from home option

Healthcare

Retirement benefits

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Extra holiday

Professional development

Mentoring/coaching

Paid volunteer days

Flexible benefits scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Candidate happiness

8.66 (27364)

Job Description

Introduction to the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the fun, supportive and award-winning Audio team at HarperCollins. We are looking for a creative, organised and proactive audiobook professional to bring their knowledge of the market and prior experience to lead the ambitious audio publishing programme for some of our commercial fiction and non-fiction publishing lists.

As Audio Editor you will be responsible for the audio publishing programme for Avon, HQ Digital and HarperNorth, delivering on our Total Audio commitment; uniquely among UK publishers, HarperCollins is committed to releasing an audiobook edition of every narrative print book we publish, on the same publication date as the title’s other formats. Recent publications on these lists include novels such asEvery Move You Makeby C.L. Taylor andI Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffinby Katy Brent, and non-fiction titles likeThe Full Englishby Stuart Maconie andTales from the Dancefloorby Sacha Lord.

You will be casting audiobook projects for these divisions with the best voice talent and working with studio partners so that projects are produced to the highest quality, on time and to budget. On some projects authors narrate their own recordings; in these cases you will ensure that they feel supported through the recording process. You will also advocate for the audio format in the publication process, working with a large team of internal and external stakeholders, and you will deliver excellent author care. Please note that this is not a hands-on studio production role.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced audio professional who loves commercial adult fiction and non-fiction. The ideal candidate will know the audio space inside out, with great ideas on what makes an award-winning audiobook and good knowledge of the latest developments in the wider audio industry.

Key tasks and accountabilities

Leads and champions audio with divisional colleagues throughout the publishing process, with the aim of delivering best-in-class audio

Casts productions with creativity and authenticity, keeping up to date with new and existing voice talent and maintaining good working relationships with voice agents

Manages the critical path, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure all titles are cast, scripts assigned, and audio delivered on time and to budget

Liaises with in-house colleagues on all aspects of publishing – including acquisitions, pitches, marketing, publicity, sales and production – to ensure smooth running of the division’s audio schedule and promote the catalogue

Negotiates narrator fees and terms with talent agents

Works closely with assigned divisions to promote audio and advise on new opportunities and audio products, including identifying backlist opportunities

Responsible for divisional audio rights pitches and acquisitions

Delivers excellent author care on every project

Experience required

Experience working in the audio industry – this can include audio publishing, podcasting, radio, or other areas of the audio industry

Experience in dealing with literary and/or theatrical agents and booking talent

Strong knowledge of the audiobook market

An in-depth knowledge of, and passion for, a broad range of adult fiction and non-fiction

Skills required

Strong project management skills and ability to oversee multiple projects at once

Ability to work creatively to specific briefs

Collaborative team player who can work with many internal and external stakeholders

Highly organised with great time management skills

Attention to detail and ability to apply this to the close reading and preparation of manuscripts, precise casting briefs, and intricate productions

Commercial acumen – particularly in how to produce audio content that will drive sales and reach new consumers

Proven interpersonal, relationship-building, communication and presentation skills

Adept at coping with fast-paced agendas, changing schedules and tight deadlines

Benefits

Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)

Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave

Private healthcare cover and life assurance

Summer Hours

Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal

Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme

Relocation Rent Support Loan

Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work

Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes

Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers

Gym membership discount

Onsite physiotherapy (London only)

Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days

We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)

With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire

Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

Onsite prayer room

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit https://www.btbs.org/ ([email protected])

At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly [email protected] ([email protected]) with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.