Job Description

Editorial Assistant - Children's (Ladybird)
Are you a highly organised, detail-oriented and creative individual ready to support a small, friendly and dynamic team? Do you have excellent communication skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment? Do you have a love of illustrated children's books and want to be part of the team shaping the Ladybird books of the future?
We're looking for a dedicated and proactive Editorial Assistant to join our team at Ladybird Books.
About the team
At Ladybird, we publish a curated list of beautiful, playful and imaginative picture books, novelty and illustrated non-fiction for children aged 0-7. Separate from the licensing and education areas, we are a small and friendly creative team, backed by the reach of the world's biggest publisher, working collaboratively with authors and illustrators to create books that inspire imaginations, open up new ideas and help children explore and understand the world around them. Our titles include the multimillion-selling Baby Touch novelty range; internationally bestselling series Ten Minutes to Bed; Kim Hillyard's Waterstones Prize-winning Gretel the Wonder Mammoth, and Molly Oldfield's acclaimed, bestselling Everything Under the Sun.
The role
Key responsibilities:

• Provide efficient and organised administrative support to the Ladybird Books editorial team
• Prepare agendas and take accurate minutes for editorial meetings
• Manage diaries, meeting arrangements and room bookings
• Send proofs and contractual copies to authors, agents and internal teams
• Assist with reprints and help maintain up-to-date publishing schedules
• Maintain accurate departmental systems and data, including updating schedules on online platforms and managing information within Biblio
• Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders across Design, Production, Rights, Sales, Marketing and PR
• Communicate clearly and professionally with authors, illustrators and literary agents
• Read and report on submissions, and support the management of unsolicited manuscripts and enquiries
• Contribute to team meetings and creative discussions
• Support pitches for new projects and assist with drafting copy for sales and marketing materials
• Develop editorial skills through hands-on involvement at all stages of the publishing process

What you'll bring
Essential criteria:

• Highly organised, with excellent time-management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical, accurate approach to work
• Proactive and enthusiastic, with the confidence to take initiative and a positive, can-do attitude
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships
• Comfortable working collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently
• Able to adapt quickly in a busy and varied role
• A genuine passion for illustrated children's books and an interest in children's publishing
• Eagerness to learn, contribute ideas and develop editorial skills
• Keen to immerse themselves in the books the Ladybird team publishes

Disability Confident
If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, the above are the essential criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can't take all eligible candidates to interview.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 25th January 2026. As part of your cover letter, please provide an answer, in no more than 150 words, to the following question:
What is your favourite picture book, from your childhood or now, and why?

• Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
• Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.
• We anticipate a three-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview and in-person second stage interview. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.

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
29,000 plus 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 we expect the successful candidate to work from our London based office a minimum of three days per week (including Wednesdays) and offer the remaining two days to be worked remotely.
Company: The Random House Group Limited | Job ID: 285716

Skills Required