Job Title: Publishing Operations Manager (Covers & Critical Path)
Department: Business Process Team, Publishing Operations
Contract: Full time, 18-month fixed-term contract
Pan Macmillan are seeking a Publishing Operations Manager to lead the operational framework for our publishing processes on an 18-month fixed-term contract. This role is responsible for reviewing the systems, tools and workflows that ensure all assets meet retail deadlines and adhere to the company’s critical path.
This role is being introduced in recognition that there is no single path to publication and we need to adapt our schedules and working practices according to the various routes to market and differing consumer needs.
Your team
You’ll be working within the Business Process team, which sits within the wider Publishing Operations department. We are a friendly and collaborative team, responsible for analysis and specification of developments and improvements in business processes. As a result, we get to work with colleagues from across all areas of the company in order to understand their ways of working.
Your role
As the Publishing Operations Manager, you will report into the Business Process Director and work in close partnership with Publishers, the Associate Publisher, Art Directors, Studio Manager and Sales Directors. You will play an essential role in ensuring consumer demands are met by focusing on schedule optimisation and problem‑solving. This involves maximising the effectiveness of all available systems, planning frameworks and cross‑functional processes.
While the Studio Manager leads creative execution, team management and studio delivery, you will concentrate on workflow architecture, cross‑department alignment and intelligent planning.
Your key responsibilities
- Audit and refine the critical path: Work with the Business Process Director to revisit the timings on the Critical Path from Acquisition to Print so that our processes are fit for purpose, both operationally and to meet external market demands.
- Implement AI‑enabled tracking: Integrate or manage tools that provide real‑time visibility into project status, in order to support workflow management within the Art & Design team.
- Develop ‘fast‑track’ schedules: Create specific operational workflows for fast acquisitions, high‑priority retailer exclusives and special editions that bypass standard long‑lead times.
- Capacity planning: Work with the Studio Manager to provide visibility to capacity planning within the team. Develop forward visibility of workload and pressure points.
- Sales & art liaison: Act as the primary filter for requests from Commercial teams, determining whether the proposed Critical Path is operationally viable. Support list‑level planning beyond individual title management.
- Stakeholder reporting: Provide the Business Process Director and Art Director with regular reporting on the publishing list, highlighting risks to the 2026 speed‑to‑market goals.
Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed
- Workflow mapping: A proven track record of mapping complex end‑to‑end processes, with the ability to eliminate ‘single points of failure’ and streamline administrative loops.
- Project management methodology: Practical experience applying structured methodologies (such as Agile) to creative or operational workflows to drive efficiency.
- Scalability thinking: Demonstrated experience building operational models that remain effective whether applied to a single high‑profile title or an entire publishing list.
- AI & automation integration: Direct experience identifying and implementing AI or other tools for scheduling visibility, automated notifications or data forecasting.
- Stakeholder diplomacy: Proven ability to navigate the balance between creative vision and commercial requirements, ensuring both stay aligned.
- Consultative leadership: Evidence of providing clear direction to diverse stakeholders, uniting cross‑functional teams behind a common purpose and timeline.
- Industry knowledge: A demonstrable passion for books and the publishing industry, particularly for Pan Macmillan’s list.
- Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
- Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
- Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
- Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.
Desirable skills we’d love you to have
- Industry background: Experience of transforming workflows within a creative or publishing industry.
- Familiarity with Biblio: Knowledge of publishing management systems is an advantage (e.g., Biblio).
What you’ll get in return
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.
Salary range: £46,000 to 50,000
Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.
Some of the benefits we offer
- 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays
- Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan
- Enhanced family pay and leave
- Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
- 2 Volunteer Days per year
- 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
- Season ticket loan/advance
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings
- Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch
This is an 18-month fixed term role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
Application process & inclusion
Please note: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.
At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.
We are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here: https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion
If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com
Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here: https://panmacmillan.com/recruitment-privacy-notice. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice before submitting your application
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