Are you a passionate editorial leader with a talent for managing dynamic editorial teams and a love for lifestyle publishing?
DK is looking for an Executive Editor to join our DK LIFE division. This is an exciting new role reporting to our Publishing Director that supports our creative and commercial growth. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy overseeing a rich mix of illustrated and mono titles for the UK and international markets, this could be the perfect role for you.
DK LIFE specialises in books about all things lifestyle: from gardening and food & drink, to health, self-help & wellbeing, as well as home & handicrafts . Our programme – published in the UK and around the world – is home to a wonderful family of authors including Rachel Barr, Mary Berry, Daisy Buchanan, Jamie Butterworth, Monty Don, Julius Fiedler, Dominic Franks, Caroline Idiens, Asma Khan, Christina Kynigos, Rhiannon Lambert, Katie Piper, and Pollyanna Wilkinson. It's an exciting time to join our growing division, as we expand our colour and narrative non-fiction lists with brilliant books that help readers live their best lives.
We’re seeking someone with significant managerial experience and a proven track record in editorial leadership. You should be detail-oriented, target-driven, and have solid experience in lifestyle publishing. Your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships will be crucial as you liaise with various internal teams and external partners.
Your key responsibilities will include:
Ensuring the DK LIFE list is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards. Communicating the status of all projects on the list regularly to the Publishing Director. Managing and developing a team of in-house desk editors, ensuring they are supported and guided to produce their best work, as well as external resource as required. Personally handling the editing of a handful of key titles each year. Collaborating with colleagues across the business, including design, production, digital, and our teams in Delhi, the US, and beyond, to ensure seamless project execution.
We’re looking for someone who is:
An entrepreneurial and exceptionally well-organised self-starter. A proactive manager who takes ownership of project delivery and resolves issues effectively. A leader who inspires individual team members and fosters a growth mindset within the team. A confident, nimble principal who is resilient and able to adapt to evolving workflows and priorities. A strong communicator, capable of forging productive relationships both internally and externally.
Working from the office a minimum of three days a week, you’ll collaborate closely with our senior commissioning team and colleagues worldwide to steer the entire DK LIFE editorial output. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who champions efficiency, drives progress, and seeks to enhance processes. This is the ideal role for someone who is eager to make a meaningful impact in the world of lifestyle publishing and create books that will be enjoyed by readers around the world for years to come.
To apply, please submit your most recent CV and a cover letter by midnight on Sunday 31 August 2025. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
As part of your cover letter, please answer one or all of the following questions in a total of 500 words or less:
What excites you most about lifestyle publishing, and can you share your role in successful projects within this area? Describe a time when you led a team through a challenging project. What was your approach for navigating difficulties and ensuring success? What specific experience do you have in managing editorial teams, and how have you successfully guided them to achieve their goals?
We are eager to see your own unique voice and talent, not the words generated by an AI tool. Please refrain from using AI in this application.
Closing date for applications: 31 August 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 www.booktradeentrysupport.org
*Subject to certain criteria being met.
About 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 dk.com.
Company: Dorling Kindersley Limited | Job ID: 282135