Head of Operations

Who we are and what we do

We were created over three decades ago to deliver the brightest and best entertainment. Story – real and imagined – lies at the heart of everything for us. We delight in seeking out storytellers and story lovers everywhere. We're serious about keeping people entertained and believe our books should be devoured, not left on the shelf.

Headline is a division of Hachette, one of the largest publishing groups in the UK, with 11 publishing divisions and over 60 imprints. Everyone here is proud to be in the business of opening doors and minds.

What you'll be doing

Are you a strategic and detail-oriented leader with a passion for publishing operations? Do you thrive on improving efficiency and streamlining workflow for busy teams? We’re looking for a Head of Publishing Operations to oversee, improve and implement effective publishing processes, ensuring smooth editorial and design operations and maximizing profitability across the Headline and Welbeck imprints.

As a key figure in the division, you will oversee editorial, design, and bibliographic operations, manage two junior team members, and ensure that titles and covers meet critical path deadlines while aligning with KPIs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and monitor publishing workflows to optimize efficiency.
• Oversee editorial and design operations, ensuring seamless coordination across teams.
• Manage and support the Editorial Operations Assistant and Studio Executive.
• Lead on IT and system integration projects to enhance publishing processes.
• Maintain high bibliographic and metadata quality across the business.

Who we are looking for

• Proven experience in publishing operations or a similar role.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to streamline workflows.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Experience working with publishing systems, metadata management, and IT integrations.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach and keen attention to detail.
• Experience in Design or Editorial an advantage.

If you’re ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the efficiency and success of our publishing operations, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer

Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:

• 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years' service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years' (+ bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance
• Generous pension schemes
• Rent deposit loans
• 2 community days per year
• Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
• Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Wide-ranging training library
• Development programmes (including mentoring)
• Up to 70% off book purchases
• A charity bookshelf
• 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, including Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
• Season ticket loans
• And much more!

This role can be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.

Our commitment

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

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 junior roles. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org