Job Description

Commissioning Editor, Evermore (Cornerstone)
Evermore is Penguin Random House UK's dedicated - and hottest - new romance imprint, publishing love stories for everyone. From bold debuts to established and self-published authors, we bring unmatched energy to every trend and story. Home to Sunday Times bestsellers such as Paisley Hope, and Dark Romance queens like Rina Kent and Keri Lake - as well as small-town romantic suspense favourite Catherine Cowles - we publish it all, from heart-stopping spice to slow-burn love.
Designed for today's voracious romance reader, Evermore blends community, commerce, and entertainment, embracing a new culture of book discovery to make it easier than ever for readers to find their next favourite love story. Fast, fun, and entrepreneurial, we move with agility and creativity as trends and reading habits evolve. We do things differently - innovating in how we buy and publish, all with the aim of connecting readers with their perfect match.
As the romance market continues to evolve, we're looking for a Commissioning Editor who lives and breathes the genre - someone with the instinct, creativity, and drive to spot the next big love story.
The role
We're looking for a proactive and commercially minded Commissioning Editor to acquire, develop, publish, and champion standout romance titles and brands for Evermore's list.
This is a fast-paced, high-growth area, and you'll be expected to identify and acquire authors with the potential to become commercial successes - whether they're self-published stars, emerging voices, or established names ready for their next chapter.
You'll bring entrepreneurial energy, creative flair, and sharp editorial instincts to shape our publishing vision and strategy for romance that captivates readers and keeps them coming back for more.
Key responsibilities:

• Scout, acquire, and edit commercially successful romance titles for the Evermore list
• Build and nurture relationships with authors, agents, and the self-publishing community to identify new opportunities
• Develop IP-led projects and creative publishing ideas that respond to market trends and reader demand
• Evaluate proposals and manuscripts, craft persuasive acquisition pitches, and confidently interpret P&Ls to inform decision-making
• Manage the full editorial process from acquisition to publication, collaborating closely with Design, Marketing, Publicity, Sales, and Rights teams
• Champion Evermore titles across the business and in the wider publishing world
• Maintain a strong understanding of data trends (Amazon charts, Goodreads, TikTok, etc.) to inform acquisitions and strategy

What you'll bring
Essential criteria:

• Proven experience acquiring commercial fiction, ideally in romance or a closely related genre. An in-depth knowledge of the romance market is essential
• Demonstrable instinct for what sells - you understand readers, trends, tropes, and what drives discoverability
• A genuine passion for romance storytelling and awareness of the self-publishing landscape
• A creative, proactive mindset - you're someone who spots opportunities and makes them happen
• Excellent editorial skills and the ability to shape manuscripts for maximum impact
• Strong financial awareness and negotiation skills
• A collaborative approach and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambitious environment

Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the 'What you'll bring' section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview. We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable with for us to support your request.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 7th December. As part of your cover letter, please answer the following question - Which self-published romance author would you most love to bring to the Evermore list, and why?
Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.
We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
Salary
35,000 - 40,000 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. For this role, you will work from our Embassy Gardens office a minimum of three days per week.
Company: Penguin Books Limited | Job ID: 284452

Skills Required