Editorial Assistant, Trade & Academic


Company: Yale University Press London
Location: London
Is the role full time? Yes
Is the role permanent? Yes
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Contact: [email protected]
Closing date: 7 June 2026

Job description

Job Summary

Yale University Press London seeks an enthusiastic, meticulous and highly organised person with a genuine interest in trade and academic book publishing. Reporting to the Editorial Director, this role is responsible for providing editorial, organisational and administrative support to the Editorial Director and the wider editorial team across Yale’s prestigious Trade & Academic non-fiction list. The list spans modern history, literature, music and the arts.

Purpose of job

The successful candidate will support the Editorial Director and Senior Commissioning Editor for Modern History on a range of titles, work closely with the Associate Editor and production department on individual book projects, and act as a key organisational liaison between the London and New Haven (US) Trade & Academic departments.

About Us

Originally founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1908, Yale University Press has a unique position as the only American university press with a full-scale publishing operation in Europe. The press is renowned for publishing the highest quality serious scholarship for a broader audience, for the vision and care that goes into every book editorially and aesthetically, and for championing arts and humanities. As a contemporary global publisher, Yale University Press London is committed to being representative and inclusive, and to publishing books which have a lasting impact.

Equal Opportunities

Yale University Press London is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We value, promote and seek diversity.

Key Tasks

To support the Editorial Director and Senior Commissioning Editor for Modern History

This includes providing editorial and administrative support across a range of publishing activities, including liaising with authors on Author Information Sheets, soliciting reader reports and endorsements, assisting with the preparation of sales figures for Acquisition Panel proposals, and compiling Acquisition Panel (AP) packets. The role also involves working with authors on picture sections and image permissions where required.

To provide administrative and organisational support to the Trade & Academic editorial team

Acting as a key liaison between the Trade & Academic editorial team and the Publicity and Marketing departments in both Yale’s London and New Haven offices, this role supports the coordination of materials for meetings, publishing campaigns, and promotional activity.

Core Duties

  • Logging and filing unsolicited manuscripts and writing rejection letters
  • Author, marketing and book research for new projects and initiatives
  • Identifying endorsers and sending out complimentary copies of books
  • Writing marketing copy as required
  • Implementing and maintaining the input of data to the TMM database
  • General administrative duties as required
  • Preparing jacket design briefs and researching potential cover images
  • Obtaining and distributing advance copies as required
  • Occasional attendance at, and preparation for, events and conferences
  • Performing other duties or tasks in support of colleagues as required

Person Specification: Key Knowledge & Skills

  • Highly organised, proactive and efficient, with the ability to multitask and adhere to time-sensitive schedules
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent communication skills, including a high standard of written and spoken Eng-lish
  • Ability to use and manipulate databases
  • IT proficiency (Word and Excel)
  • Team player with a willingness to work collaboratively
  • A keen interest in trade and academic publishing
  • An enthusiasm for history and the humanities more broadly
  • Intellectually curious, a systematic and critical thinker

What we can offer

Yale University Press London offers a generous package of benefits which includes:

  • Generous salary sacrifice pension scheme
  • Hybrid working model (3 days per week in the office)
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Life assurance and income protection
  • Private healthcare cover
  • Employee Assistance Programme (24-hour helpline)
  • Regular Yale social events
  • Annual book allowance
  • Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
  • Accommodation deposit loan
  • Workplace mortgage advice
  • Virtual GP
  • Access to Thrive and My Healthy Advantage mobile apps

Office Location

Yale University Press London is based in Bloomsbury WC1, with convenient access to the Northern, Elizabeth and Central lines as well as many bus routes.

Please send your CV and supporting cover letter (including availability, notice period details, and current salary) to: [email protected] ensuring you include ‘Editorial Assistant’ in the email subject line.

Closing date 7th June 2026

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