Deputy Publicity Director

Penguin Books

  • London
  • £65,000-70,000 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 hours ago
About the teamAt Transworld, we love great storytelling, publishing books that define the moment and inspire and entertain readers across all areas of the market. In books and stories we find our community – of authors, readers and colleagues. We publish the UK’s very best and most-loved fiction and non-fiction. Our authors are master storytellers, commercial giants, and game-changing experts who challenge readers to open their hearts and minds. A Transworld book demands to be discussed, shared, and loved. This year, Transworld has major plans for its new chapter in non-fiction, with a new focus on its lifestyle publishing growth but also across all three of its non-fiction imprints. We are looking for someone as passionate about non-fiction as they are on leading brand fiction campaigns to join us on the journey.The roleThis role leads publicity campaigns on some of the imprint’s key titles. Works in close collaboration with Divisional PR Director on divisional PR strategy and team development. Also deputises for the Publicity Director in appropriate and agreed scenarios. Will have strategic input to group projects and broader divisional activity where appropriate. Will have responsibility for direct reports. May work across a number of imprints or lists, depending on divisional structure.Key responsibilities:Campaigns:
  • Leading launch campaigns for very high-level titles, and managing relationships with key authors
  • Raise level of campaigns across list
  • Identify key consumer media targets to generate word-of-mouth and secure multi-platform coverage across media outlets
  • Maintain relationships with key journalists and media influencers
  • Campaign analysis alongside marketing colleagues to measure effectiveness
  • Author / agent care, plus crisis management where appropriate
  • Develop relationships with external partners
  • Looking after year round brand relationships as applicable
  • Work with Group departments (relevant audience facing colleagues and interest brands) and close collaboration with PRH US where relevant
  • Global campaign management including coordinating international press requests for group companies
Team:
  • Deputise for Divisional PR Director
  • Manage and lead PR centre of excellence, including development of direct reports
  • Mentor and developing publicity talent across team
  • Regular management catch-ups with all direct reports examining goals, and key other areas such as work/life balance, workload, purpose, recognition, enjoyment, development.
  • Planning workloads and supervising the quality of work delivered by direct reports and ensuring that people managers do same.
  • Regular catch ups with the Publicity Director effectively communicating campaign and personnel updates.
  • Ensuring that all team members have access to training and the support needed for each role and are developed.
  • Ensure budget sheets are updated by the team in a timely manner, that the team work within the budget on each campaign, and depending on division, allocate budget to list (in conjunction with Divisional PR Director)
Division:
  • Read / provide input on acquisitions
  • Work with Group departments (relevant audience facing colleagues and interest brands) and close collaboration with PRH US where relevant
  • Share resource across teams: mailing lists, databases, cuttings etc
  • Ensure collaboration and integration within the wider comms team on working practices and being audience aware
  • Communicate effectively with all the departments in house - marketing and publicity, editorial, sales, rights and international colleagues
  • Work with the team on division-wide events, showcases, conferences
  • Represent the department at a variety of meetings – both internal and external
  • Raising division’s profile internally and externally (publishing industry and beyond)
  • Oversee catalogues and press kits as necessary
  • Ensure budget sheets are updated by the team and depending on division, allocate budget to list (in conjunction with Divisional PR Director)
  • Represent publicity at pitch meetings and shape pitch documents
What you’ll bringEssential criteria:
  • Handling confidential projects with discretion
  • Leadership skills and a team player
  • Previous management experience desirable but not required
  • Proven track record delivering high profile campaigns
  • Experience working with challenging clients – strong influencer with excellent powers of persuasion
  • Established media relationships – high level networker
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills
  • Calm under pressure
  • Confidence and a positive, resilient disposition with emotional intelligence
  • Self-motivated
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to multi-task, prioritise, problem solve, brainstorm
  • Copywriting skills
  • Initiative to respond to current news stories
  • Passionate interest in the media and the digital landscape
  • Able to integrate knowledge of digital marketing landscape with publicity opportunities and maximise sales potential
Behaviours required:
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people
  • A strong team player with interpersonal sensitivity
  • A creative individual who isn’t afraid to think outside of the box
  • A passionate and engaging individual who is able to motivate others
Application instructionsPlease apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 17th September 2025.Salary£65,000 - £70,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.Hybrid workingWhile 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 that you will be in the office at a minimum of 3 days a week.Company: The Random House Group Limited | Job ID: 282579

Penguin Books