Editorial Assistant, Portfolio, Sentinel, & Thesis - (Hybrid)

Penguin Random House has a job opening for an editorial assistant for the following imprints: Portfolio, Sentinel, and Thesis. The assistant will provide administrative and editorial support to the publisher and editorial director and work on an array of nonfiction. 

 

We are a small group of friendly people with high standards and a sense of humor. Across three imprints, Portfolio, Sentinel, and Thesis, we publish a wide range of practical and idea-driven nonfiction in the business, politics, self-help, and social sciences categories. Past and current authors include Simon Sinek, Seth Godin, Oprah Winfrey, Arthur Brooks, Michael Lind, Amy Coney Barrett, Ryan Holiday, Sharon McMahon, Vivian Tu, John McWhorter, Chris Arnade, Greg Zuckerman, Morgan Housel, Russell Moore, Coleman Hughes, Annie Duke, John Doerr, Scott Galloway, Nellie Bowles, Julia Galef, Abigail Shrier, Katy Milkman, Nick Bilton, General Stanley McChrystal, and Peggy Noonan.  

 

For our assistants, we offer training, support, mentorship, and access to a community of editors, authors, and agents. Our assistants are expected to start contributing to acquisitions, packaging, and editorial conversations from day one. 

 

About You: You are an ambitious self-starter and persuasive communicator who is looking for an entry point to trade publishing. You can write in a range of styles and tones. You read widely and regularly work through difficult texts. You understand why someone would pick up a self-help book and have opinions on what makes a good one. You have questions about the world, try to formulate answers to those questions, seek out conversations that challenge your answers, and are ashamed neither to stand your ground nor change your mind, depending on the situation. You love a good spreadsheet (or at least know how to make one) and feel satisfied when systems run smoothly. We love hiring people with backgrounds in service jobs, teaching, and any work that required them to handle a massive number of details while providing sensitive and tactful support to customers. 

 

Please apply using our ATS system and include your cover letter and resume for consideration. 

 

The Role: 

 

• Support the publisher and editorial director in publishing operations 

• Draft critical materials such as blurb requests, flap copy, TI sheets, editorial memos, and letters 

• Keep track of contracts, deadlines, manuscripts, jackets, and other parts of the publication process 

• Evaluate submissions and be ready to discuss them within 48 hours of receipt 

• Read and share feedback on manuscripts in progress; line edit manuscripts and/or excerpts as needed 

• Shepherd manuscripts through production, from styling to transmittal to trafficking materials back and forth with the author 

• Collect data and maintain imprint databases on acquisitions, sales, contact information, and freelancers 

• Organize major imprint happenings, including preparations for seasonal sales meetings and strategy sessions 

• With supervision, take sole editorial ownership of 1-3 titles a year 

• Collaborate closely with colleagues in marketing, publicity, rights, production, and design to ensure books are published to the highest standard 

• Schedule meetings and meals; handle expense reports 

• Other support tasks as needed 

 

The Essentials: 

 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and follow-up skills 

• Ability to multitask and manage multiple assignments in a de