At HQ, we are proud to publish an outstanding array of fiction brands such as Adele Parks, Erica James, Linwood Barclay and Sarah Morgan. Combining rapid growth with commercial success, HQ Digital is the digital-first list of HQ, specialising in innovative digital publishing across the commercial fiction market, from contemporary fiction, historical fiction to crime and thrillers.  Recent bestsellers have included How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent, Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin and The Good Husband by Steve Frech, and we’re proud to have launched stellar careers for a host of digital bestselling authors both in the UK and internationally, including Rebecca Raisin, Portia Macintosh and Neil Lancaster.

This commissioning role requires a clear understanding of the digital fiction market, the ability to spot trends and publishing opportunities, and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious team.  You will be curating your own list of fiction authors and working with the Editorial Director to help grow our thriving digital list.  

You’ll be responsible for your own titles from acquisition to publication in every format, and work with key teams within HarperCollins to create effective digital publishing strategies, successful launches and build long-term sales.  You’ll develop strong author and agent relationships and have a keen appetite for commercial fiction and the ability to spot emerging trends in the market.

This role will suit candidates who have both initiative and energy, and who are excited to think creatively about digital publishing.   

HarperCollins is based in the News Building which is shared with our News UK and Dow Jones colleagues in London Bridge Quarter, opposite Borough Market. Our open-plan office has amazing views across London, and includes a variety of break-out areas to aid inspiration and a collaborative approach.

 Key Responsibilities:

Editorial

• To commission, edit, desk-edit and publish titles successfully and profitably for the HQ Digital list

• To read and respond to submissions

• To foster strong relationships with authors, providing regular updates on publishing strategy and sales  

• To work closely with the production team to keep titles on critical path

•   Creating innovative digital campaigns and strategies

•   Liaising with in-house digital teams on digital promotions

• Reading widely across the commercial fiction market, ensuring strong market knowledge and market-focused publishing strategies

• Briefing covers and liaising with designers

• Copywriting and checking sales/marketing material

• To raise and check contracts as required

Digital

• Overseeing metadata/AIs for your authors/titles, working to ensure these are best in class and ready in line with critical path. Liaising with the pricing/analytics team to get the best out of the titles that are working across the division – whether adjusting BISAC codes, subtitles, keywords, or even looking at new covers or copy. Regularly checking Amazon feeds to see if there are any glitches/problems and flagging them as necessary.

• Working on backlist reissues as required and agreeing on strategy in conjunction with the digital team and Editorial Director.

• Supporting Marketing to create innovative digital campaigns which aim to get titles to the top of the charts.

• Attending weekly pricing and metadata sessions, cultivating close links with the pricing/analytics team, and working closely with them on new projects as they come up.

• Highlighting key titles to the team that need a focus in digital

• Responsibility for delivering budget revenues and controlling costs, delivering sales and profit. 

• To be key driver in the budgetary process, working with Sales and Marketing colleagues to set sales targets and play a strong part in delivering those targets.

Sales

• Ensure a strong awareness of what digital retailers require in terms of packaging and positioning

• Create content for customer presentations and other presentations where necessary

• Ensure that Sales, International Sales, Audio, Digital Sales and Rights teams have all the advance sales information that they require

Publicity

• Work closely with Publicity to ensure review coverage for authors to drive sales

• Attending launches and festivals as required

Skills Required:

• You will have some commissioning fiction commissioning experience and a track record of publishing some of your own fiction titles, digitally or in print

• Strong knowledge of the digital fiction market and emerging trends

•   A creative, energetic team player who enjoys collaborating with wider teams to deliver bestseller success    

 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 

  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 to stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk 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.