Editorial Director

Job title:

Editorial Director Department:
Two Hoots, Macmillan Children’s Books

Contract:

Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (family leave cover) Summary pitch

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our award-winning Two Hoots team as Editorial Director on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Leading a high-profile, colour-illustrated list spanning picture books and non-fiction, you’ll bring exceptional editorial vision, commercial acumen and strong industry connections to champion top-tier talent and shape an extraordinary publishing programme.

Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) is one of the UK’s leading children’s publishers, creating and publishing bestselling brands, children’s books and poetry for all ages for over 150 years. You will be joining Two Hoots, which is part of both the Fiction and Non-Fiction and the Picture Books divisions  boutique illustrated imprint publishes extraordinary books that families really love and want to share.

The list includes exquisite picture books from the likes of Emily Gravett and Kate Rolfe, and high-quality colour-illustrated non-fiction that is perfect for gifting like The Wonder of Life on Earth by Henry Gee and Raxenne Maniquiz and We Are Your Children by David Roberts.

As the Editorial Director leading the Two Hoots list, you will play a central role in acquiring and publishing a range of exceptional illustrated books. You will be pivotal in championing emerging and established author and illustrator talent, while contributing to the overall growth and profitability of Two Hoots and MCB. This is a 12-month fixed-term family leave cover.

• Commercial oversight: Direct responsibility for P&L, driving revenue and profitability through targeted acquisitions, commissioning market-leading picture books and colour non-fiction.
• Strategic list management: Leadership of the publication strategy for Two Hoots picture books and non-fiction, ensuring titles capture key retail moments and cultural trends effectively.
• Backlist and operational execution: Continually reinvent the backlist creatively while managing costs, schedules and contracts efficiently to deliver quality titles on budget and on time.
• Cross-departmental collaboration: Collaborate closely with the UK and international sales teams, rights and communications teams to promote efficient, profitable publications across all formats, including audio and ebooks.
• Brand ambassadorship: Serve as an ambassador for Two Hoots, enhancing our reputation in the world of children’s books and attending relevant events to create publishing opportunities.
• Relationship management: Manage and maintain relationships with high-profile authors, illustrators and agents, providing effective editorial guidance and acting as a passionate champion for all titles across the Two Hoots list.

• Industry expertise: Significant experience within children’s publishing, with a focus on picture books and colour non-fiction.
• Strategic list-building: Demonstrable track record of shaping, curating and growing a high-performing publishing list.
• Talent development: Proven ability to identify, support and elevate both emerging and established authors and illustrators.
• Competitive negotiation skills: Proven success in managing high-level auctions and competitive negotiations.
• Commercial trend spotting: A commercially minded approach with a proven ability to identify, track and react to market trends.
• Design and editorial excellence: The ability to work editorially with authors and illustrators on both picture books and non-fiction, strengthening text and artwork while working closely with the design team.
• Project management oversight: The ability to plan, track and manage complex publishing projects effectively from start to finish, and a proven ability to organize, prioritize and manage your workload to meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Clear communication style: Effective spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to share information reliably and professionally.
• Publishing network connections: Esta…