Production Assistant, Michael Joseph and Transworld

A great new opportunity has arisen for a proactive and detail-orientated individual to join the Michael Joseph and Transworld Production teams as a Production Assistant.   

About the team 

Michael Joseph and Transworld both publish a broad range of books across fiction and non-fiction, commercial and literary, and are home to an exciting array of authors: including Marian Keyes, Dr Julie Smith, Devney Perry, SenLin Yu and Stephen Fry for MJ, and Lee Child, Dan Brown, Kate Atkinson, Sable Sorensen and Ruth Jones for Transworld. 

The role 

Working closely with both internal colleagues and our external suppliers, you’ll help bring our books to readers by delivering reprints, reissues and non-trade projects. You’ll make sure each project runs smoothly from start to finish – on time, within budget and to the high standards our books deserve. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Take ownership of the Michael Joseph and Transworld backlist catalogues, helping to look after books that have already been published and ensuring they continue to reach readers.  

• Manage the production of reprints and reissues, coordinating each project and keeping it on track from start to finish.  

• Work closely with colleagues across Penguin Random House and our external suppliers, building strong relationships and keeping everyone up to date.  

• Keep a close eye on schedules, costs and quality, making sure books are delivered on time, within budget and to the standards our readers expect.  

• Develop a strong understanding of our backlist and its production needs, balancing priorities across a varied and busy catalogue. 

What you’ll bring 

Essential criteria: 

• Confident and clear communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and external suppliers.  

• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks at once.  

• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to accurate, high-quality work.  

• A practical and analytical approach to tasks and problem-solving.  

• The ability to balance a varied workload, adapt to changing priorities and remain calm under pressure.  

• A passion for books and publishing, and a genuine interest in how books are made.  

• Enthusiasm for learning and developing your skills – no previous publishing experience is required. 

Disability Confident 

If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, the above are the essential criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview. 

Application instructions 

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 21st August 2026. 

1. Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.  

1. Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate. 

1. We anticipate a two-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview and in-person second stage interview. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process. 

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. 
 
We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you. 

Salary 

£29,000 plus benefits. 

Hybrid working 

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect the successful candidate to work from our London-based office three days per week and offer the remaining two days to be worked remotely. 

Disclosure requirements pertaining to the collection of your personal data:

Responsible for processing the information provided in your application is the company specified in the job advertisement, with its registered office as indicated. The company processes your data for the purpose of establishing an employment relationship on the basis of Art. 6 (1) b GDPR / Section 26 (1) sentence 1 BDSG.

The retention period for your data is determined by the statutory time limits applicable in the respective country, beginning upon completion of the recruitment process. You can find these here.

You can contact the company’s Data Protection Officer at the above-mentioned postal address. 

Further information on data protection and your rights can be found here.
 

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