Temporary Senior Editor

Do you have extensive experience in creating, editing and overseeing children's fiction book projects and leading editorial teams? Are you excited by the latest trends in pop culture and licensed entertainment? Are you ready to take a leadership role in connecting licensed fiction content to fans in playful and creative ways?

If so, DK Plus is recruiting a Temporary Senior Editor (Fiction) to manage the creation of our fiction programme for young readers with exciting licensing partners. At DK Plus, you will work with a talented team that publishes fan-favourite books and collaborates with prominent licensors including Lucasfilm, LEGO, Marvel Comics, Disney, Warner Bros, Mattel, and esteemed museums such as The Met and The Science Museum.

Your responsibilities:

As a Temporary Senior Editor for a 6-month parental leave cover, you will collaborate with well-known brand partners and high-profile authors to produce exceptional fiction books of the highest quality for young readers and licensor fan bases. You will work closely with authors, licensors, and internal and external creative teams to produce brilliant books that are delivered both on time and on budget. Contributing to the division's strategy, you will develop and commission new print and digital products for global markets, building relationships with external suppliers and negotiating terms for content to ensure it meets DK values.

Supervising the entire editorial process, including copyediting and fact-checking, you will ensure high-quality layouts, track project costs, and provide timely updates to the Managing Editor on budgets and schedules. Additionally, you will provide training and support to junior editorial staff, oversee the quality of their work, delegate editorial tasks to external editors and the Delhi team where appropriate, and deputise for the Managing Editor at meetings if requested. You'll also have the opportunity to work alongside the Managing Editor and Publisher to help to develop the growing fiction list.

The ideal candidate:

We're looking for a resourceful, versatile Senior Editor who is highly organised, with proven experience in managing children's fiction titles from concept to completion. The Senior Editor will oversee multiple illustrated and non-illustrated children's fiction projects (mono and four colour) across various age ranges and stages of development—from picture books to YA—including researching new ideas, commissioning content, and supervising junior editors.

We also want someone who is brimming with ideas and can suggest new creative books and concepts on the page. We're looking for a motivated self-starter, eager to share fresh concepts. You should have a passion for children's toy and entertainment brands, thrive in a collaborative environment, and be capable of managing titles independently while providing guidance to junior editors and the wider editorial team.

Possessing a keen editorial eye, being adaptable to creative changes, and excelling as a team player and communicator are crucial. You will be skilled at meeting deadlines and cultivating strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Ideally, you will also have excellent presentation skills, a deep understanding of the licensing market, a love for popular movies, TV shows, or video gaming entertainment brands, and extensive experience working with external stakeholders and high-profile children's fiction creators.

How to apply:

If successful, you will join a team that supports your professional growth and development through on-the-job learning and wider training opportunities. Working from the office a minimum of three days a week, this is a fantastic opportunity for a senior editor looking to lead and develop within a dynamic environment, working with exciting global brands.

To apply, please submit your most recent CV and cover letter. As part of your cover letter, please tell us:

• Why you want to work at DK and highlight any relevant experience you have, including an example of when you managed a children's fiction (illustrated or not) project from start to finish.
  Which licensor(s) do you think we should be publishing children's fiction titles with? What licensor would you bring to our list or which existing licensing partner should we look to expand into children's fiction formats?

Closing date for applications: 2nd November 2025

We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our people, some of which are:

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Volunteering policy and charity matching
• Employee assistance programme
• 60% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)
• Shopping discounts
  Up to 30 days remote working from abroad*

And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new 'smart-working' policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK's office.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit

• Subject to certain criteria being met.

A bout our Company:

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in. From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books.

We are the world's leading illustrated publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann, creating cutting-edge design and stunning visual books for the whole family. We are passionate about inspiring curiosity and bring people to books through their thirst for knowledge. With a global book loving community of over 800 colleagues in the UK, US, Germany, India, China, Spain and Australia, we produce books in over 100 countries and over 60 languages. Find out more on .

Company: Dorling Kindersley Limited | Job ID: 283400