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Publishing and Administrative Assistant
UPDATE, 12.01pm on Monday 7 April: Applications for this position have now closed. If you applied before the deadline, we'll respond to you by Monday 21 April at the latest. Thank you and good luck!
Nick Hern Books (NHB) – the UK’s leading specialist theatre publisher and performing rights agents – is seeking a new member of the team to contribute to and provide support for all aspects of our publishing activity.
If you’re passionate about theatre and looking to take an early step in a career in publishing or the arts, this is an exciting opportunity to gain broad experience at a vibrant and dynamic independent publishing house which sits at the heart of the UK theatre industry.
Job Description
In this pivotal support role, you’ll have responsibilities and involvement in a range of areas – including, but not limited to:
- providing excellent customer service via the phone and email
- processing and arranging delivery of direct-to-customer orders
- drawing up invoices and taking payments
- booking couriers, and handling incoming/outgoing post
- ensuring the smooth running of the office by ordering stationery and supplies, and overseeing our agreements with suppliers
You’ll also collaborate across most departments, such as with:
- our Marketing and Sales teams, by attending industry trade fairs and author events to sell our books, and helping to maintain our website
- our Production department, by helping ensure that new titles progress smoothly from typescript to finished publication (including some proofreading and copy-checking)
Person Specification
We're looking for someone with a demonstrable passion for and good knowledge of contemporary UK theatre. You'll also ideally have had some practical experience (amateur or professional) and / or an academic qualification in theatre or drama.
You’ll need to be:
- proactive, organised and good at prioritising competing tasks
- comfortable with providing customer service over the phone, email and in person
- an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing
- focused and meticulous, with an excellent attention to detail
- happy working both independently and as part of a team
- adaptable and confident at learning new systems and software
Knowledge and/or experience of publishing and/or bookselling would be an added advantage, but isn’t required. Full training will be provided.
Additional Information
Term of Employment: Full time, permanent position
Place of Work: At the NHB office in Shepherd’s Bush, West London.
Start Date: As soon as possible.
Salary: £28,500 per annum, payable monthly on 25th of each month.
Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., including a one-hour lunch break, Monday to Friday; with some evening and weekend work, where necessary.
Holidays: 25 days per year, plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown.
Trial Period: Three-month trial period.
Notice: One month during trial period, two months thereafter.
Benefits following Trial Period:
Pension: Auto-enrolment in company pension scheme, with 10% employer contribution.
Travel: Travel season ticket loan
Expenses: Theatre tickets, and other relevant expenses.
How to Apply
Please send a CV (not more than two pages) and a covering letter about yourself (not more than one page) by email to Jon Barton at jobs@nickhernbooks.co.uk. We want to hear why you’d be great for this role – so make sure to include any past experience and knowledge that align with the job description and person specification (with reference to specific examples where appropriate).
Applications must be with us by 12 noon BST on Monday 7 April at the latest, with interviews conducted during the week commencing Monday 14 April.
We will reply to all candidates via email within two weeks of the deadline for applications, regardless of whether you’ve been shortlisted or not.
Access
Access support is available for all applications, including submitting your application in alternative formats. If, for access requirements, you’d prefer to meet one of our team or talk through these guidelines, please contact jobs@nickhernbooks.co.uk.
Equal Opportunities
Nick Hern Books is an equal opportunities employer, and actively encourages applications from groups currently under-represented in the theatre and publishing sectors, irrespective of gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or age. This applies whether in relation to terms of employment, conditions of service or opportunities for training. Individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and no one is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable.
About Nick Hern Books
Nick Hern Books is the UK’s leading specialist theatre publisher.
We’re home to many of the best playwrights working today – including Annie Baker, Mike Bartlett, Chris Bush, Jez Butterworth, Caryl Churchill, debbie tucker green, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Lucy Kirkwood, Conor McPherson, Lynn Nottage, Winsome Pinnock, Jack Thorne, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Enda Walsh – as well as essential training and advice books on topics such as acting, writing, directing and producing, to support creatives in their own work and career.
We also license most of our plays for amateur performance by schools, community groups, youth theatres and others around the world.