The Vacancy

Senior Commissioning Editor, World History - Bloomsbury Academic (13 month FTC)

The opportunity

Bloomsbury is a leading international publisher with strengths in trade, children's, professional and academic publishing. We are currently looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and experienced Senior Commissioning Editor to contribute to the growth of our Academic History list. Our world/global history list publishes over 40 titles a year and comprises of high quality and cutting-edge scholarship alongside texts and resources for students.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our team of editors and play a part in the expansion of our publishing programme. The successful candidate will join a friendly team based in our central London offices.

The role

• To research new product lines and markets in global and world history, as well history theory, methods and historiography
• To identify, manage and secure new book resources for researchers and students
• Work with authors, volume editors and series editors to ensure a high standard of author care
• Work closely with editorial, marketing, sales, production and digital teams

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A growth mind-set, always seeking opportunities to expand and improve
• Highly organized with the ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Results-oriented and commercially focussed and with the ability to develop negotiating skills
• Will have knowledge and experience of relevant processes, systems and websites
• Exceptional attention to detail and command of English spelling and grammar
• Proactive and able to take initiative
• Good time management with ability to meet deadlines
• Solution-focused, calm and able to logically solve problems under pressure
• Flexible and able to work independently
• Effective team working, networking and building relationships
• Excellent communication (oral and written) to internal and external contacts, handling information sensitively and professionally
• Strong IT skills including competency in using Microsoft Office, Word and Excel
• Places a high value on quality of content, author care, company reputation and sustained customer relationship

Additional information

The role is a full-time, 13-month fixed-term position. Due to start March 2026.

Salary per annum: £36,500 - £43,100

The role is based at our London office 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP on a hybrid working pattern of 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred). Allocated office days for this role are: Wednesdays and Thursdays

Please apply with a CV and covering letter addressed to Human Resources (Word or PDF format only) via the 'APPLY NOW' button detailing how you meet the requirements outlined above for this role by 23:59 on Sunday 16th November 2025.

For best results, please use a desktop to apply as some mobile browsers may not fully support the application portal.

Bloomsbury reserve the right to close the role early if we exceed the required number of applications

Bloomsbury Benefits

As well as a fantastic opportunity to join a global award-winning organisation, Bloomsbury offers the following competitive benefits package:

Working Pattern

• Hybrid working pattern of: 2 days office based / 3 days home based (or fully office based if preferred)

Holidays

• 25 days holiday
• 3.5 days Christmas company holiday

Other Benefits

• Two paid Personal Wellness Days
• Flexible Fridays - take Friday afternoon off by working an additional 3 hours and 30 minutes earlier in the week
• Work Anywhere Fortnight - For two weeks of any calendar year. The minimum period for Working Anywhere is one week, the maximum period is two weeks.
• Season Ticket Loan
• Share Save Scheme
• Learning & Development - Free access to LinkedIn Learning, BookMachine Campus, InRehearsal & IPG Skills Hub
• AXA Healthcare Plan (Private Medical Insurance)
• Peppy Health App
• In-house Doctor
• Eye Care Voucher Scheme

Company culture - Employee Voice Meetings, Staff Networks (Bloom, Accessibility, Mental Health, Pride, and Parents, Guardians and Carers, Multi-Faith) and Mental Health First Aiders trained across the UK offices, Publishing Events and access to free Publishing Resources

For additional benefits see below

Bloomsbury is a place where anyone of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender identity, age, ability, or socio-economic status can thrive, feel comfortable, and be heard and accepted. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please flag to the recruitment team if required

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

The Company

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Bloomsbury Publishing is a leading independent publishing house, established in 1986, with authors who have won the Nobel, Pulitzer and Booker Prizes, and is the originating publisher and custodian of the Harry Potter series. Bloomsbury has offices in London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford and Sydney. Within Bloomsbury's Academic division, it publishes under Bloomsbury, as well as under a number of prestigious and historic imprint names. Read Our Story for how it all began.

Bloomsbury is committed to creating a working environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration, is respectful of difference, is inclusive and ethical in its practice, and promotes well-being. We are determined to nurture and develop our employees to reach their highest potential, and we know that our success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of our talented people. We recognise the urgent need to attract and support applicants from all backgrounds and identities to become part of the global publishing industry, allowing diverse voices to reflect and shape our culture and society.

Please read more on our Missions and Values here.

Please read our environmental policy here.

Our Benefits

Pension

Flexible Working

Life Insurance

Staff Discount on Books

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)

Bike to Work

Employee Testimonials

Here's what some of our employees had to say about joining Bloomsbury:

"It's a friendly team, I feel part of a community and there's such a breadth and variety of publishing"
Marketing Executive, Academic

"There is a passion for books and authors. People want to read and that comes from the top"
Commissioning Editor, Special Interest

"Bloomsbury has a strong International outlook, it's good to be part of a global publishing team."
Intern, Education

To read more about what it's like to work for us please click here.