Commissioning Editor, Archaeology & Ancient History - 12 month FTC

The Vacancy

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development of Bloomsbury's award-winning academic division. Our Archaeology list is a relatively new but fast-growing list, publishing across the global higher-education markets. With particular strengths in the fields of ancient drama, classical reception and language teaching, the list publishes a diverse portfolio from research monographs to student introductions.

We are seeking an academic Commissioning Editor to cover a maternity leave and to continue the consistent growth enjoyed in recent years. You will expand our publishing in some of the aforementioned areas across a range of product lines (textbooks, monographs and reference). The role will report to our Global Editorial Director for Literary Studies, Classics and Performing Arts.

The role

• Provides the strategic direction and is commercially responsible for Archaeology and Ancient History within Bloomsbury's academic division in conjunction with direct line manager
• Researches new product lines and markets for Books
• May identify, manage and secure new book and digital resource publishing partnerships
• Ensures that the Archaeology list meets key business goals: global growth plans, revenue, budgets, number of projects, product mix, profit etc.
• Acts as a spokesperson for the list and the Bloomsbury Academic Division, representing its key values, objectives and policies

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Familiarity with the list's subject area a definite advantage but not essential
• Proven relevant experience in academic publishing
• Knowledge of academic publishing trends and developments, for example in Open Access publishing
• Proactive, confident self-starter and a collaborative team player
• Creative and commercial approach to list development, management and commissioning
• Strong analytic skills and a competent user of publishing software systems
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally

• Positive outlook, strong problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Highly organized and with the ability to develop and maintain business relationships
• Places a high value on quality of content, author care, company reputation and sustained customer relationships

Additional information

The roll is a full-time temporary position as maternity cover, for 12 months from October 2025.

Salary:

From £36,000 pa depending on experience

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: Wednesday and Thursday

Please apply with a CV and covering letter (delete if not applicable) 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, Friday 25th July 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
• 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 .