Job Description

Commissioning Editor, Fiction
Hutchinson Heinemann and #Merky Books are looking for a passionate, ambitious and commercially aware Commissioning Editor to join its literary fiction team. Reporting to the Publishing Director for Hutchinson Heinemann, the role is primarily focused on acquiring fiction for this list. However, the successful candidate will work with two key novelists in #Merky Books as well. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of the literary fiction market, a hunger for discovering new voices, and the drive and strategic mindset to generate buzz for their books and connect them to the widest possible audience.
About the team
Hutchinson Heinemann is a publishing imprint for high quality writing with popular appeal. We publish mind-blowing reads, exquisite joyrides, book club beloveds and fresh future classics.
Our writers span fiction and non-fiction, weaving words in ways that make readers feel satisfyingly stretched. We love helping clever, enjoyable books make waves, winning big audience reactions and critical acclaim along the way.
We especially enjoy working with authors to put out fun, fresh statements in categories that have often been around for hundreds of years. All helped by the scale and prestige of Penguin Random House. Our authors include Robert Harris, Sebastian Faulks, Harper Lee, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jennie Godfrey, Katy Hessel, Lauren Groff, Chigozie Obioma, Richard Powers and Lyse Doucet.
#Merky Books was established in 2018 as a collaboration between Stormzy and Penguin Random House. Known for publishing writers from the global majority, its focus is on owning - and changing - the mainstream.
The role
We are looking for a Commissiong Editor to acquire and publish the best new voices in literary fiction, and also ideally in translation (from the literary to crossover end: this could be translated thrillers, cosy/healing fiction or potential prize winners). You will also understand the power and potential of backlist and come ready to drive sales across a number of heritage authors. Working primarily on Hutchinson Heinemann, you will be able to engage with the work of #Merky Books as an imprint and with individual writers. You will have the opportunity to work with a number of existing authors such as Rebecca K Reilly, William Rayfet Hunter and Chiara Marchelli. You might be an Assistant Editor who has acquired a few books already, or an Editor or Commissioning Editor looking for a new challenge. You will be tasked with publishing your titles with flair, driving standout campaigns to achieve critical and commercial success and to support the growth of the Hutchinson Heinemann imprint and collaborating with and contributing to the success of #Merky Books.
Key responsibilities:

• Acquire and publish a set number of titles annually across literary fiction and translation (from literary to crossover).
• Develop and sustain your network of literary agents to source the best new titles for acquisition.
• Proactively seek out new fiction writers from a multitude of networks.
• Collaborate with Sales, Rights, Marketing, and Publicity teams to drive the successful publication of your titles.
• Produce first class cover copy, clear jacket briefs, positioning documents, manage metadata and be flexible to market changes in order to ensue the success of your titles.
• Oversee the internal book process, including editing, scheduling, and liaising with Managing Editorial, Production and Design.
• Contribute to establishing the strategic direction of the list alongside the whole team.

Essential criteria:

• Some prior experience in acquiring literary fiction, whether you are just starting to acquire as an Assistant Editor or are currently working as an Editor or Commissioning Editor.
• The ability to publish literary campaigns with confidence, and to create noise both internally and externally for your books and list.
• Having a strong vision for the publication of your titles and the ability to translate that across all aspects of your work.
• A literary sensibility backed by a commercial mindset to ensure your titles are profitable.
• Strong internal and external relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people and influence others.
• A strong team player with interpersonal strength.

Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on the 20th of November 2025.
As part of your cover letter, we'd like you to respond to the following question (300 words not including cover letter)
- Tell us about a novel published in the last 12 months that you wish you had published.
Salary
Circa 35,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. This is a hybrid role, working three days a week in our London Office at Embassy Gardens.
Company: The Random House Group Limited | Job ID: 283852

Skills Required