Assistant Publisher (up to £40,000)

Immediate is the special interest content and platform company. Our fast-growing, multi-platform media business is home to over 1,000 people across eight divisions. We own and operate some of the best-loved brands in the UK. And we only focus on special interest markets, engaging over 75million global passionate consumers each month, offering them world-class content and innovative new products and services. Immediate was named the UK’s Best Place to Work by Glassdoor in 2022.

About the role

Immediate Media is the market leading publisher for children’s magazines. This role provides an exciting opportunity to work with some of the biggest brands in the market, including Disney, BBC, LEGO, Pokemon and many more. Immediate also publish their own-brand portfolio with brands such as Girl Talk that have been in the market for 30 years.

The Assistant Publisher has direct responsibility for publishing a select number of titles under the direction of the Publisher, whilst also offering support to the two Publishers and MD as required. You will be required to manage and develop all aspects of the business, working to maximise both short-term and longer-term profitability of the magazines by working with both commercial and editorial colleagues to deliver key objectives and meet agreed financial targets. This is a varied and exciting opportunity to work across a wide range of elements of the commercial magazine business whilst also having creative input.

As an Assistant Publisher, you will;

• Analysis – analyse market trends, competitor information and portfolio performance. Present this regularly to Publishers and MD to assist in strategic planning
• Financial – To assist in developing and management of the P&L for titles as directed by a Publisher to ensure they meets their budgets
• Strategy – To devise and then implement long and short-term strategies for the titles
• Administration – responsibility for maintenance of schedules including on sale dates and pricing as well as communicating this to all relevant departments
• Distribution – Working with Frontline and trade marketing teams to maximise efficiency of sales and optimum levels of availability at retail
• Editorial – Liaising with the Editors and editorial teams where appropriate to ensure the magazines are hitting sales targets and working with them to develop title strategies based on audience
• Promotions and Marketing – Working with the marketing team to ensure the marketing plans are in line with the strategy and budgets for the titles
• Cover mounted gifts – Working with the Buying team to ensure the cover mounted gifts are of the highest possible quality and are appropriate for the target market from concept stage to delivery
• Events – going to events as required
• Royalties & Contracts – working with the Royalties Manager to ensure that the forecasting of royalties is communicated to relevant rights owners and working with the Legal team to ensure new contracts and renewals are processed through the system as directed
• Rights Owners – working with rights owners, reporting on brand performance and maintaining relationships
• Liaising with all internal and external contacts to communicate the strategies for the titles and to ensure that all key objectives for the titles are met
• To represent the titles at a senior level throughout Immediate Media and externally
• Maintain a good knowledge of the market and sector to be able to support publishing team in order to ensure competitive advantage
• Play a significant part in the NPD and strategy process
• Ensure all marketing and promotional activity across the group complies with all relevant BBCW safety rules, procedures and guidelines and to be aware of responsibilities under the BBCW safety policy

Requirements

• Suitable experience in one or more of:

Editorial
Advertising Sales

Marketing

Circulation/Distribution

• Numerate – with proven budget management skills
• Ability to perform under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Good Microsoft Excel Skills
• Passionate about working with brands
• Ability to innovate and problem solve
• Experience of analysing and presenting data.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and experience in completing administrative tasks to a high standard
• Experience of “outsourcing” environment e.g. working with buying teams, creative agencies etc.
• Ability to motivate a team, many of whom will have more knowledge and experience in a particular part of the business
• Experience of working with and influencing staff at all levels
• Ability to analyse and make decisions drawing upon numerous information sources
• Good presentation, written and communication skills
• Ability to understand and influence strategic goals
• Good creative skills
• Experience of working to and managing agreed budgets

Benefits

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
• Immediate Community webinars including Yoga, exercise, cooking classes and so much more!
• 25 Days holiday plus a day for your birthday and a company day
• A progressive and transparent culture with clear career progression
• Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Competitive pension plans
• Life Assurance
• A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces

We pride ourselves on our open, collaborative, and dynamic culture. This encourages our people to thrive, and give their best whilst being supported, developed, and nurtured. As we care about our people, our environment, and the impact we make, we have an active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programmes, and clear sustainability strategies.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of all our values and leadership behaviours to ensure Immediate remains a place where everyone feels included and empowered;

We care

We succeed together

We enjoy the ride

We are bold

We never settle

We get on with it

People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is extremely important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We will never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We are also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.