Commissioning editor

Commissioning editor job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

The majority of commissioning editors begin their careers as junior editorial assistants, progressing through the editorial ranks once relevant skills and experience have been gained.

Commissioning editors are employed by commercial book publishers and professional/academic publishers; freelance work may be available to editors with substantial experience.

Responsibilities of the job include:

• negotiating agreements/contracts with literary agents/authors;
• planning, organising and monitoring the progress of projects;
• undertaking market research/investigating market trends;
• reading, evaluating and commissioning titles;
• liaison with authors, literary agents, marketing and production staff including designers and printers;
• supervising the work of editorial staff;
• attending book fairs;
• writing reports.

Budgetary constraints, tight deadlines and long hours can make the work stressful at times.

Typical employers of commissioning editors

Commissioning editors are typically employed by publishing houses and academic publishers. Many jobs receive little advertising and, as a result, those that are advertised attract intense competition. Networking, job shadowing and speculative applications are essential: part-time and temporary jobs can often lead to permanent work. A few publishing companies offer structured graduate entry schemes.

Vacancies are advertised in newspapers and publications such as The Bookseller, Campaign, Print Week, The Publisher, Printing World and Publishing News. Recruitment agencies also advertise opportunities.

Qualifications and training required

Although a large number of editors are English graduates, any degree discipline is acceptable for entry into the profession. An MA in publishing, specialist knowledge or a scientific or languages background may be required for some opportunities. Several years of publishing, copy-writing, editing, journalism or media sales pre-entry experience are essential.

Key skills for commissioning editors

• enthusiasm
• adaptable
• able to work well under pressure
• capable of meeting deadlines
• IT skills
• administrative skills
• verbal and written communication skills