Project Editor, Children’s Publishing

Department

Editorial (Children’s Publishing)

Reports to

Head of Children’s Publishing

Location

Britannia Street, London WC1X. Hybrid: min three days per week in the office after probation

Contract

Fixed-term maternity cover, full-time

Salary

£32,300 p.a.

Closing date

Sunday 22 November 2026

About Thames & Hudson

Thames & Hudson is one of the world’s leading illustrated book publishers, known for producing visually distinctive books across art, design, architecture, photography, fashion, history, archaeology and popular culture. Design, creativity and visual storytelling are central to who we are. Our Children’s list publishes illustrated picture books and non-fiction, alongside activity books, and novelty and gift products.

About the role

We are looking for a Project Editor to join our Children’s Publishing team on a fixed-term basis, covering a maternity leave. You will take editorial ownership of a range of children’s books and products, from proposal through to delivery, working with authors, illustrators, designers, freelancers and museum and gallery partners to bring them in on time, within agreed budgets and to a high editorial standard. You will also contribute ideas to new projects and series, alongside the Head of Children’s Publishing.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing several illustrated picture books, non-fiction books, activity books, and novelty and gift products at once, independently, from proposal stage through to delivery

• Copyediting texts in close collaboration with authors, editors, consultants and publishing partners, making sure they are engaging and accessible for the target age range

• Working with authors, illustrators, designers, freelancers, and museum and gallery partners, chasing material and giving clear, timely feedback

• Helping to develop new projects and series from concept stage, and briefing editorial freelancers and contributors, in consultation with the Head of Children’s Publishing

• Working closely with Design, Production, Picture Research, Pre-Press, International Rights and our New York colleagues, so that projects respond to book fair feedback and meet the needs of international co-publishers

• Reporting on progress, raising issues and schedule changes openly and early, and talking through solutions with colleagues, while keeping project administration accurate and up to date

• Presenting new titles at internal book fair meetings and sales conferences

What you’ll bring

We are looking for someone with:

• meaningful experience in a similar project editor role within children’s publishing

• effective time-management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to deliver multiple projects at once

• excellent copyediting and proofreading skills, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality

• excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to manage and motivate authors, illustrators and freelancers

• a passion for children’s books and a solid understanding of children’s needs and interests across different age ranges

• proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe InDesign

• an appetite for exploring new digital tools, including AI, where these may improve the quality or efficiency of work

• a commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive workforce, with a sensitive and proactive approach to inclusivity

• the ability to commute regularly to our King’s Cross office

You may also have:

• experience of developing new titles or series from concept stage, including defining editorial style guides

• experience of briefing freelancers and negotiating fees

• experience of working with museum and gallery partners or international co-publishers

Please do not be put off applying if you do not meet every desirable requirement. We are interested in hearing from candidates who can bring the right skills, judgement and potential to the role.

What success looks like

• Books and products are delivered on time, within agreed budgets and to a high editorial standard, with texts that are accurate, engaging and accessible for their target age range

• Authors, illustrators, freelancers and partners receive clear direction, timely feedback and professional communication

• Issues, schedule changes and risks are raised early, and solutions are discussed collaboratively

• New projects and series are developed with the Head of Children’s Publishing and respond to book fair and international co-publisher feedback

• Colleagues across Design, Production, Picture Research, Pre-Press, Rights and New York have the information they need

• New titles are presented clearly and confidently at book fair meetings and sales conferences

Working at Thames & Hudson

This role is based at our Britannia Street office in London. We work on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of three days per week in the office.

We offer a supportive, creative working environment, alongside a range of benefits including:

• 28 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays

• Profit share

• Interest-free season ticket loan

• Book and co-edition discounts

• Generous pension scheme

• Employee assistance programme and retail discounts

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Free museum entry

• Hybrid working: once eligible, a minimum of three days per week in the office, where the role allows

We want Thames & Hudson to be a place where people can do thoughtful, creative and high-quality work, while feeling respected, supported and able to contribute.

Our values are creativity · integrity · respect · communication · excellence.

They shape how we work with each other, our authors, our partners and our readers.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience relate to the requirements above.

More information and apply here

We know AI can be a useful tool at work, but please ensure your application is in your own words and reflects your experience and motivation. We’d like to recruit a human, after all.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We will consider requests carefully and do what we reasonably can to support you.

Equal opportunities

Thames & Hudson is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and we are committed to making our recruitment processes fair, inclusive and accessible.