Editorial Assistant, Ballantine

Job Description

Editorial Assistant, Ballantine (Literary/Commercial Crossover, Historical Fiction & Nonfiction)

Editorial Assistant, Ballantine (Literary/Commercial Crossover, Historical Fiction & Nonfiction)

The Random House Publishing Group is the proud home of the world's most acclaimed storytellers, thought leaders, and innovators. Our imprints include Ballantine, Bantam, Delacorte, Del Rey, The Dial Press, The Modern Library, Random House, One World, Hogarth, Crown, Currency, Clarkson Potter, Ten Speed Press, Harmony, Rodale, Convergent, WaterBrook, and Multnomah.

The editorial team at Ballantine Books, a division of the Random House Publishing Group, is seeking an Editorial Assistant. The position provides an opportunity to become part of a creative and busy imprint recognized as one of America's leading publishers of bestselling commercial and literary crossover fiction and nonfiction. Ballantine works closely with a roster of talented authors, including Taylor Jenkins Reid, Isabel Allende, Jodi Picoult, Charmaine Wilkerson, Pip Williams, Cleyvis Natera, Lisa Wingate, Ashley Flowers, Melanie Benjamin, Lauren Belfer, Frances Cha, Justin Cronin, Alison Weir, and Paula McLain, as well as nonfiction authors including Elizabeth Letts, Stephanie Foo, Emily Nagoski, Lisa Damour, Lauren Graham, R. Eric Thomas, Jennifer Grey, and Carol Dweck.

The Editorial Assistant will report to an Executive Editor specializing in literary/commercial crossover fiction, especially historical fiction and narrative nonfiction, including history, science, and sports. They will be responsible for daily editorial activities, including proposal/manuscript reading and writing readers' reports, copywriting, and all aspects of project support, including working closely with production to transmit manuscripts. In addition to providing administrative support, the assistant will liaise with authors, agents, and departments across Penguin Random House to support the editorial process and the release of Ballantine Books titles.

Please apply using our ATS system and include your resume and cover letter for consideration. The entry-level base salary for this position is $45,000. This position is a hybrid role working from the tri-state area (CT, NJ, NY & PA). This role includes responsibilities that require in-office participation, and the ability to commute, when needed, to our 1745 Broadway location is essential.

The Role:
• Evaluate manuscripts and proposals and provide feedback to your editors and the editorial team on fiction and nonfiction projects submitted by agents
• Research trends and competition, including comp titles (books that will compete with sales/reader interest)
• Assist your editors in writing catalog/flap copy (the synopsis/sell of the book) and fact sheets
• Collaborate with all in-house departments (publicity, marketing, sales, production, subsidiary rights, and design)
• Be responsible for transmitting all MSS, fiction, and nonfiction, to production
• Become an essential point of contact between authors/agents and the editorial department
• Provide administrative support, including some calendar management and phone answering, and booking group meetings

The Essentials:
• A strong writer who has a broad reading sensibility
• Interest in working on a wide variety of high-quality commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction titles
• Someone who stays attuned to current fiction and non-fiction trends and reads widely on their own time
• Able to apply organizational methods and strategies to meet deadlines and manage a busy inbox on Outlook
• Timely follow-up skills with the Ballantine editorial team, authors, agents, and other departments and able to prioritize and complete multiple projects in a fast-paced and details-focused environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with the team when needed
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Word, SAP, and Excel, and an avid interest and ability to learn new applications
• A goal-oriented team player who can cultivate productive working relationships
• Proficiency in creative problem solving, decision making, and time management

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r10000-18-221-129-19-42 in your application.