Publishing Director, Bluebird and One Boat

Are you an editorial director ready for the next step, or a talented editor with acquisition experience and a passion for the health, wellness, self-development and lifestyle market? We are looking for a Publishing Director to join Bluebird to help drive its creative and commercial success. This is a vital role that will contribute directly to the overall strategy and continued evolution of the imprint. We would also consider candidates at an Editorial Director level for this role, with the final title to be confirmed based on experience.

Your team:
Bluebird is a dedicated non-fiction division at Pan Macmillan. We are in an exciting new phase for the imprint. We connect readers with ideas, stories and solutions to help them live happier, fuller lives. Our list is made up of a wide range of subject areas in many formats, from expert-led self-development and impactful memoir to beautifully executed cookery and lifestyle gift titles. The threads running through the Bluebird list are joy, empathy and trust. Some of our classic and upcoming books are
Attached
by Dr. Amir Levine,
Clean
Magic
by Nancy Birtwhistle,
Sociopath
by Patric Gagne,
No Nonsense Nutrition
by Dominique Ludwig,
Deep Meaningful Conversations with Myself
by Vex King, and the runaway bestsellers in the Pinch of Nom series.

Your role:
In this busy and wide-ranging role, you will be a vital member of the Bluebird team. You will be responsible for commissioning and publishing a list of high-profile titles across a range of practical non-fiction genres. You will work closely with the Bluebird Publisher on the long-term growth strategy of the list, identifying and securing market-leading authors and brands, and ensuring commercial targets are met. Additionally, you will hold management responsibilities and serve as an ambassador for Bluebird within Pan Macmillan and the wider publishing industry.

Your key responsibilities:

• Creatively seek out and commission promising authors to expand and diversify the list, ensuring alignment with the overarching growth strategy for Bluebird.
• Work closely with the Bluebird Publisher to develop and implement a publishing strategy that aligns with the imprint's growth objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with authors, illustrators, agents and industry contacts.
• Champion a culture of consumer awareness and understanding within the team, using your up-to-date knowledge to inform publishing decisions and ensure a competitive edge.
• Manage direct reports, ensuring regular catch-ups to monitor and support performance.
• Embed DEI principles in publishing practices and champion a culture of inclusivity within all aspects of book acquisition and development.

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you'll need to succeed:

• Experience in acquiring and publishing successful and profitable non-fiction titles.
• A creative mindset in pursuing hot acquisitions and bringing new authors to the list.
• A genuine passion for the self-help and lifestyle genres and for seeking out new ideas, challenging assumptions, and embracing market innovations to ensure the list remains forward-focused and responsive to reader trends
• A reputation for honesty, transparency, and accountability in all dealings with authors, agents, and colleagues, building trust across the publishing process.
• Demonstrated ability in leading, developing, and inspiring a small team, including experience with performance management and fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment.
• A proactive and results-oriented approach to driving the ambitious commercial growth of the list.
• Demonstrated experience in effective collaboration across multiple departments and with diverse external partners, fostering a supportive environment both internally and externally.

What you'll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Closing date: 9 November 2025
Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days' annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Group income protection scheme
• Enhanced family pay and leave
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
• 2 Volunteer Days per year
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
• Season ticket loan/advance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge

We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process, if you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at

Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here:

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