Job Description

Job Overview

Literary Agency DHA is looking for a proactive and efficient Contracts Executive. Working across a market-leading list of fiction, non-fiction and children's authors, this is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a minimum of twelve months' experience at contracts assistant or junior contracts executive level in a publishing house or literary agency and is looking for the next step in their career.

The role will have primary responsibility for translation rights agreements, working closely with DHA's primary agents and the Translation Team. You will be confident in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts and well-informed on relevant current industry conversations in areas such as copyright, digital and audio streaming and subscription models, and AI.

The successful candidate will have a sharp eye for detail and be proficient at managing a high volume of work while remaining calm under pressure and comfortable managing and successfully prioritising their own workload. You will be reliable, trustworthy and discreet, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Familiarity with the Bradbury Phillips database system would be an advantage.

We are a dynamic, busy agency so an enthusiastic, collaborative attitude, an ability to use your initiative, and a willingness to pitch in are very important.

Responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

Drafting Translation Rights contracts and addenda either from existing boilerplates or from scratch.

Reviewing contracts drafted by our co-agents and other third parties.

Negotiating with publishers to ensure that contract wording reflects the terms agreed and that all agreements hold up to company precedent/policy and best practice.

Negotiating new Translation Rights boilerplates.

Maintaining accurate records of progress at all stages from first draft through to contract signature.

Advising colleagues and authors on contractual wording and processes.

Liaising with accounts department regarding withholding tax requirements and payments due.

We encourage and support all employees in developing their knowledge and experience and in progressing their careers and anticipate that in due course you will have the opportunity to acquire more responsibility and work across a broader range of contracts, including the drafting and negotiation of English language agreements alongside our Contracts Director.

About DHA:

David Higham Associates represents an exceptional range of writers across all genres, in all media. We are a company that takes pride in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where employees work towards individual and company goals as well as towards attaining a good level of autonomy in their roles, with training. We also offer an internal mentorship scheme to provide further guidance and development.

You should be able to attend our Soho offices in normal working hours at least three days a weekbut there is an option to work remotely on other days in this full-time role. Holiday allowance is generous, and an annual bonus is offered in line with personal and company performance. We like to meet together as a company and pride ourselves on our reputation for being friendly as well as forward-looking and successful since the agency's foundation in 1935.

Applications:

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter, including details of current salary and notice period, to Georgia Glover (georgiaglover@davidhigham.co.uk). Please include your name in the subject line of the email and the words 'Contracts Executive Application'.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 16th September.

DHA reserves the right to close the application process early if we have found the right candidate.

We offer expenses for travel to London to attend interviews.

DHA welcomes applications from any individual regardless of ethnic origin, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. All applicants will be considered on merit.

Salary from 30,000, depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 30,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London W1F