About the company:
Pan Macmillan publishes a broad and vibrant range of books for audiences of all ages, from dazzling bestsellers to influential prize-winners; books to inspire lifelong readers and listeners to enduring classics for generations to come. The fourth largest UK publisher, we pride ourselves on publishing successfully and sustainably, and are committed to working together to positively impact culture and society at large.
Each of our imprints are distinctive, containing the carefully curated collections of different kinds of books published for the widest possible readership. These imprints comprise Bluebird, Bramble, Campbell Books, Harriman House, First Ink, Kingfisher, Macmillan, Macmillan Business, Macmillan Children’s Books, Macmillan Collector's Library, Mantle, Nightfire, One Boat, Pan, Picador and Tor.
Pan Macmillan is part of Macmillan Publishers International Ltd (MPIL), a division of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned media company based in Stuttgart.
About the team:
Managing Editorial is a key department that manages Pan Macmillan’s publishing programme (both adult and children’s titles, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry), looking after all books – hardbacks, paperbacks and ebooks – through all stages of the editorial and production process. We work alongside authors, commissioning editors, the production and art teams and other in-house departments to ensure that everything we publish is both on time and of a high editorial quality – in short, bringing a wonderful and varied array of books to life – and that our processes run as smoothly as possible too.
About the role:
In this supportive and dynamic role, you will gain hands-on experience in the essential stages of book production. You'll play a vital role in keeping a book on track, from manuscript delivery to final files, by coordinating various elements and ensuring that deadlines are met and high standards are maintained so that our books are published error-free.
Key responsibilities:
- Assisting with moving titles through the editorial and production process, learning about copy-edits, proofreads and indexes, and preparing artwork for print
- Helping to oversee various editions of books (including ebooks and reissues – previously published titles given an updated new cover look), understanding how each format is prepared
- Working closely with commissioning editors, authors, production controllers, artworkers and other colleagues to keep projects on track
- Monitoring projects, attending progress meetings, updating schedules, and helping to ensure that all materials are received on time to meet print deadlines
- Assisting with copy-editing and proofreading text, for example by checking cover blurbs and artwork, or catalogues for the sales and rights teams
- Working with our brilliant freelance proofreaders, copy-editors and indexers, including learning about booking the right person for the job and quality-checking their work
- Provide general administrative support to the Managing Editorial team, helping to ensure the smooth running of the department.
Skills you’ll need to succeed:
- Naturally curious with an eagerness to learn about how books are made and keen to develop new skills
- Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team
- A keen eye for accuracy with a methodical approach to staying organised
- Excellent time-management skills
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond thoughtfully to changing needs
- Experience working with software such as MS Office andGoogle Workspace.
About the programme:
As a Publishing Apprentice, you’ll gain exposure to all key parts of the publishing process starting from the initial conception of a book, all the way through to production, sales, marketing, and publicity processes.
Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll be invited to monthly 3-hour live sessions hosted online in addition to working on your course content via our online learning platform.
To meet the off-the-job requirements for your apprenticeship, you'll also spend a minimum of 6 hours a week within the workplace developing your publishing knowledge, skills, and behaviours listed within your bespoke LDN Training Plan.
Salary: £25,000
Full time / part time: Full time
Application deadline: 6 July 2025
Potential start date: 22 September 2025
Qualification: Level 4 Publishing Professional
Duration: 15 months
Some of the benefits we offer:
- 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Discounted private medical insurance
- Group income protection scheme
- Enhanced family pay and leave
- Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
- 2 Volunteer Days per year
- 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
- Season ticket loan/advance
- Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
- Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch
This is a full time 15 month fixed term role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.
At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here:https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion
