📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Development Editor
🔹 Company: Emerald Publishing
🔹 Location: Remote first, UK (Leeds, West Yorkshire)
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-30
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (1 office day per month)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing the editorial delivery and onboarding of a portfolio of books
- Liaising with external editors, authors, and internal teams
- Ensuring timely delivery, quality, and customer service
- Providing support to supplier Book Project Editors (BPEs)
- Actively participating in or leading projects that support continuous improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and communication. It is ideal for someone with relevant publishing or industry experience.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage a portfolio of allocated book titles, acting as a first point of contact for author and editor queries
✅ Monitor and support the work of supplier Book Project Editors to ensure quality control and on-time delivery of projects
✅ Oversee the receipt of new manuscripts and entry of new book titles into Editorial systems
✅ Champion best practice and consistency of process with vendors and Emerald colleagues
✅ Work directly with cover designers to brief new cover designs and ensure timely delivery of cover proofs
✅ Actively participate in or leads projects that support continuous improvement of processes, Emerald’s book programme, and Emerald's mission
✅ Liaise with Research Integrity and Legal departments when required
ASSUMPTION: The role involves managing multiple projects and stakeholders, requiring strong organizational and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Not specified, but relevant publishing or industry experience is preferred
Experience: 2-5 years of relevant experience in publishing or a related field
Required Skills:
- Advanced organisation and time management skills
- Ability to work to pressured deadlines
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Strong communication skills, working with global colleagues and authors
- Project management skills
- Conflict resolution and ability to resolve editorial conflicts and disputes
- Relationship development and management
- Full competency with MS office applications
- Ability to learn and adapt to internal systems and processes
Preferred Skills:
- Relevant publishing or industry experience
ASSUMPTION: While relevant experience is preferred, the company is open to considering candidates with transferable skills from other industries.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Circa £30,000 per year (GBP)
Benefits:
- Annual Leave (38 days inclusive of bank holidays)
- Remote Flexible Working
- Discretionary Performance Bonus
- 6% Pension Contribution
- Wellbeing Support
- Work-Life Balance Support
- Working From Home Allowance
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on the market median rate for similar roles in the UK publishing industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Book and Periodical Publishing
Company Size: 201-500 employees
Founded: 1967
Company Description:
- Emerald Publishing is a global publisher of academic and professional journals, books, and case studies
- They focus on business and management, as well as other social sciences and engineering subjects
- Their mission is to create an environment where research can have a real-world impact and those within it can reach their full potential
Company Specialties:
- Publishing
- Case Studies
- Journals
- Business & Management
- eBooks
- Education
- Books
- Marketing
- Publishing Services
- and Business Schools
Company Website: Emerald Group Publishing
ASSUMPTION: Emerald Publishing is a well-established company in the publishing industry, with a strong focus on business and management research.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for career progression
Reporting Structure: Reports to Emily Crowther
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (1 office day per month, remote otherwise)
Growth Opportunities:
- Continuous improvement projects
- Professional development opportunities
- Potential career progression within the publishing industry
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the company and the publishing industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (remote-first with one office day per month)
Office Location(s): Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Geographic Context:
- Leeds is a vibrant city in the north of England, with a rich history and cultural scene
- The city is well-connected by public transportation and has a diverse range of neighborhoods
- Leeds is home to several universities and has a thriving business community
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a good balance between remote work and in-person collaboration.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences
- Be prepared to discuss your problem-solving approach and examples from your past experiences
- Research the company and its mission to demonstrate your understanding and alignment with their values
ATS Keywords: Content Development, Editorial Delivery, Book Portfolio, Author Liaison, Project Management, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Publishing Industry
ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on organizational and communication abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Internal Editorial Systems
- Project Management Tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn and adapt to internal systems and processes.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Real Impact
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Excellence
Work Style:
- Proactive and self-motivated
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Adaptable and open to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects?
- Are you comfortable working with global colleagues and authors, and able to communicate effectively with them?
- Can you work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines?
- Do you have a proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making?
- Are you open to learning and adapting to new systems and processes?
ASSUMPTION: Emerald Publishing values candidates who are proactive, organized, and able to work well under pressure, with strong communication skills and a willingness to learn and adapt.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously
- Working to tight deadlines and maintaining quality control
- Resolving editorial conflicts and disputes
- Adapting to internal systems and processes
- Occasional travel to the office for team meetings and company events
ASSUMPTION: The role presents challenges that require strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Content Development Editor vs. Editorial Assistant: The former role has more responsibility for managing a portfolio of books and liaising with external editors and authors, while the latter role focuses more on supporting the editorial team and authors
- Industry-specific context: The publishing industry is competitive and dynamic, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation
- Career path comparison: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the publishing industry, with potential career progression to senior editorial roles or management positions
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to editorial assistant roles but with more responsibility and a focus on managing a portfolio of books. It offers opportunities for career progression within the publishing industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the editorial delivery and onboarding of a new book series, including liaising with external editors and authors, and ensuring timely delivery and quality control
- Leading a project to improve the efficiency of internal editorial systems, resulting in reduced processing times and improved customer satisfaction
- Resolving a complex editorial conflict between an author and an external editor, ensuring a positive outcome for all parties involved
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the key responsibilities and challenges of the role, requiring strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe a typical day or week in this role?
- How does this role fit into the overall editorial process and the company's mission?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how have previous incumbents approached them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and career progression within the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to gain a deeper understanding of the role, the company culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences
- Prepare for your interview by researching the company and its mission, and practicing your problem-solving approach
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
