Editorial Assistant, Random House

Job Description

Editorial Assistant, Random House (Nonfiction/Fiction)

Random House seeks an Editorial Assistant to join our team. The assistant's role provides administrative and editorial support to the VP, Editorial Director of Nonfiction, and Senior Editor on a wide-ranging list of fiction & nonfiction – one that includes journalism, pop culture, biography, memoir, cookbooks, and literary fiction. This position offers the opportunity for growth and to learn about the editorial process and the inner workings of a publishing office.

The Random House imprint was founded in 1927 and is the proud home of some of the world's most acclaimed storytellers, thought leaders, and innovators, including George Saunders, Jia Tolentino, Tara Westover, Hisham Matar, Ruth Reichl, Gary Shteyngart, Brené Brown, Imbolo Mbue, Weike Wang, Hanif Abdurraqib, Steve Rinella, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eric Ripert, and many more.

At Random House, the Editorial Assistant acts as a liaison between authors, agents, and the many different departments within Random House. Daily responsibilities include all-around project support for the editors, calendar and meeting management, proposal/manuscript reading and submission management, drafting flap and catalogue copy, and brainstorming creative publishing approaches and solutions to help authors/books through the publication process.

The Editorial Assistant should be highly motivated, enthusiastic about publishing, and enjoy reading broadly and often. (In fact, we would love to know what kind of adult fiction and nonfiction books you're passionate about in your cover letter.) We are looking for a detail-oriented, meticulous self-starter who loves books of all types and is invested in the process of bringing them to a wide readership, has strong writing and analytical skills, communicates clearly, and will be an active participant on a collaborative team. The ideal candidate will manage a diverse set of responsibilities efficiently and effectively and is comfortable asking for help when needed.

The position of editorial assistant at Random House is a hybrid position with in-office responsibilities, which will include but not be limited to executing mailings, participating in and contributing to in-person meetings with authors and agents, and providing office support by scheduling meetings, prepping for department and author meetings, managing expense reports, archiving, maintaining hard copy and electronic files, etc. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 1745 Broadway, which includes the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT, & PA).

For consideration, please apply using our ATS system and include your cover letter and resume. Here are some tips on how to apply for roles here at Penguin Random House.

The Role:
• Tracking, logging, and evaluating submitted manuscripts, providing feedback to the editorial team, and drafting rejection letters
• Preparing and routing financial and contract information for acquisitions
• Begin training in editorial development of manuscripts in conjunction with supervisors
• Researching trends and competition, including sales research on comparative titles
• Communicating among authors, literary agents, and internal departments such as production, art, publicity, and marketing to coordinate and facilitate the production process from draft manuscript to finished book
• Drafting both internal and consumer-facing copy and pitches
• Managing campaigns for endorsement quotes on various titles, including facilitating mailings (electronic and print)
• Providing general administrative support by scheduling meetings, managing expense reports, etc.

The Essentials:
• Strong writing skills and a broad range of interests.
• Exceptional attention to detail, the ability to prioritize, and strong and efficient follow-up skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask across two editors' desks.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal & written, used on timely follow-up over email and phone.
• A team player who treats others with respect and has the ability to build internal & external relationships with departments, authors, agents, and stakeholders.
• Ability to apply organizational methods and strategies to follow department processes, anticipate deadlines, and meet them.
• Ability to take initiative, be resourceful, and problem-solve creatively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• An avid reader who keeps up with trends and has an abiding interest in current events.
• Solutions-focused when met with challenges and can comfortably adapt to changes and anticipate needs when needed once familiar with the role of an Editorial Assistant

The salary for this position is $48,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.

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-d25ep2-3-149-230-44-42 in your application.