Editorial Assistant

Job Description
Penguin Press is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support the President & Publisher of the imprint, in close contact with an Associate Editor, by overseeing aspects of the editorial and production process and providing administrative support. The Editorial Assistant will work on a distinguished list of narrative nonfiction, history, politics, journalism, and literary fiction. The imprint’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors include Michael Pollan, Zadie Smith, Vice President Kamala Harris, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Celeste Ng, Ocean Vuong, Ron Chernow, Steve Coll, Rick Rubin, Elif Batuman, Ottessa Moshfegh, Jonathan Haidt, and Mary Oliver among others.

Specific responsibilities include:

Works with supervisors, authors, and agents on the progress of book projects from acquisition to publication, including guiding authors through the manuscript production schedule.
Prepares paperwork, including contract requests, manuscript transmittals, profit and loss statements, permissions requests, and expense reports.
Liaises between the Editorial, Production, Design, and Managing Editorial departments, as well as the Marketing and Publicity teams.
Assists supervisors in the acquisitions process by reading and evaluating manuscripts and proposals, drafting rejection letters, and researching and developing ideas.
Collaborates with supervisors on drafting catalog and cover copy for hardcovers and paperbacks and managing the title information system.
Provides administrative support by scheduling, managing mailings, etc.

Qualifications
Genuine interest in serious nonfiction
Prior office experience; publishing experience a plus
Strong follow-up, organizational, and time-management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize and excel in a deadline-driven and detail-oriented environment
Excellent attention to detail
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook