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 is 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:
The Production team at Pan Macmillan acts as the bridge between a finished manuscript and a physical book. This involves creating and managing detailed schedules, managing budgets and coordinating seamlessly with Editorial, Design, Sales and Marketing teams, as well as external suppliers such as printers and typesetters. Ultimately, we ensure every Pan Macmillan book is manufactured efficiently, cost-effectively and to the highest quality standards, ensuring it reaches readers looking its very best.
About the role:
As the Production Apprentice, you will learn about the creation and delivery of trade titles across global markets. You will gain experience within Adult and Children’s book production and you will work very closely with a wide range of teams at Pan Macmillan, including Editorial, Design, Rights and Sales.
Key learnings and responsibilities:
- Assist with all aspects of book printing and production
- Order and monitor reprints from confirmation to final delivery
- Ensure orders, materials and communications are timely, clear and accurate
- Produce accurate costings to facilitate business decisions
- Negotiate schedules, specifications and prices in conjunction with senior members of the team
- Agree, monitor and report schedules and approvals in-house
- Check and code invoices carefully and accurately
- Supply data and information to other internal departments, including quotes, schedules and files
- Ensure system records are accurate and up-to-date.
Skills you’ll need to succeed:
- Naturally curious with an eagerness to learn
- Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team
- Willingness to stay up-to-date with market trends
- Excellent time management skills
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond thoughtfully to changing needs
- A passion and desire to work in publishing with a keen interest in production and getting books into the hands of readers
- Experience working with software such as MS Office and Google Workspace.
About the programme:
As a Publishing Apprentice, you’ll gain exposure to all of the key stages in 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
