Children's Publishing Assistant

Job Description

Children's Publishing Assistant (6 months FTC)

About Simon & Schuster UK

Simon & Schuster UK now operates as an independent company and is no longer associated with Paramount Global. Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK, subject to all policies and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof. We have updated our Workplace Privacy Notice to reflect this corporate change. If you have questions, please contact us here: privacyadministrator@simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster UK is one of the leading general book publishing companies in the UK and was named Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2022 and 2023. They also won Children's Publisher of the Year in 2023. Based in London with sister companies in the United States, Canada, Australia and India, the UK division has four imprints: Gallery, Scribner, Simon & Schuster; and Simon & Schuster Children's Books, which publish a wide and eclectic mix of authors ranging across commercial fiction, literary fiction, general non-fiction, and children's publications. Home to bestselling authors and award winners, Simon & Schuster UK is a publishing house of quality writing and a proud home to its authors and their exceptional work. It also runs a sales and distribution service for a number of independent and international publishers including Andrews McMeel, Black Library, Boom! Studios, Elliott & Thompson, Inner Traditions, Rebellion and VIZ Media.

Simon & Schuster International is dedicated to publishing a broad and diverse range of books for everyone, representative of the world around us. They are committed to working with and supporting writers, illustrators, and other creative partners from all walks of life, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, nationality, religion or belief, age, social or economic circumstance.

About Simon & Schuster Children's Books

Simon & Schuster Children's Books is home to bestsellers, award-winners and quality commercial picture books, children's fiction, YA, graphic novels and non-fiction. Bestselling fiction authors include Ben Miller, A.F. Steadman, Nadia Shireen, Katie and Kevin Tsang plus breakout debuts such as Benjamin Dean and award-winners including Danielle Jawando; as well as global bestsellers Adam Silvera, Cassandra Clare and Rachel Renée Russell. Stars on the picture book list include the million-copy bestsellers Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, award-winning Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley, Benji Davies and Smriti Halls & Steve Small. Simon & Schuster Children's Books won Children's Publisher of the Year at the 2023 British Book Awards.

About the role

Reporting to the Children's Publishing Manager, the Children's Publishing Assistant will provide full administrative support across Children's Publishing Management tasks including audio administrative tasks.

This is a varied operational role that sits at the heart of the Children's Division and requires collaboration with all departments, helping them run smoothly and to deadline. The Children's Publishing Assistant will be a point of contact for different departments and be an advocate for robust understanding of our systems, metadata feeds and inter-departmental processes.

Responsibilities
• Assist with adoption of new solutions and processes including delivery and creation of internal training plans for key systems, and materials and documentation.
• Assist with updating the Publishing Programmes and title schedules, and act as a point of contact for other departments.
• Assist with monitoring of new acquisitions and managing title metadata in accordance with critical path deadlines.
• Children's audio administrative tasks such as file and invoice handling, and acting as a point of contact for audio production partners.

Skills and Attributes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work to deadline
• Ability to work independently whilst also be a team player
• Curiosity and willingness to learn; proactive nature
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills
• An enthusiasm for books and reading

Experience
• Some experience in an office environment is desirable
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 applications (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, Sharepoint) is strongly desirable
• Previous experience in an administrative role is desirable

Working at S&S

Some of our benefits include:
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year
• 8% Employer pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• 1 charity volunteer day for causes that you are passionate about
• If eligible, work from home Stipend
• Group Income Protection (Risk Benefit)
• Access to a Health Cash Plan
• Eyecare vouchers
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free Pilates and Yoga sessions
• Fresh fruit delivered to the office every Wednesday
• Free Massage session each month
• Discounts and rewards with participating retailers via The Benefit Store
• Free eBooks and audiobooks

Starting salary from £26,000

Location:

Simon & Schuster UK

1st Floor | 222 Gray's Inn Road | London | WC1X 8HB

Apply

Closing date: 13 November 2023 however please note we may close the application process early due to high amount of applications.

Please apply by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Successful applicants will be shortlisted for an initial screening. If your application is progressed, you will then be asked to attend formal competency-based interview.

If you require any adjustments at interview, such as extra time or breaks etc, please let a member of the recruitment team know once they've been in touch.

Simon & Schuster UK is an equal opportunities employer committed to the goal of building a culturally diverse workforce. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d5n6q7-3-17-156-160-42 in your application.