Careers

The Phaidon family of companies — Phaidon, Monacelli, Phaidon Kids, and Artspace — are devoted to celebrating and showcasing the creative arts through our growing publishing programs and e-commerce marketplace platforms. In each of our companies, we offer career opportunities to curious, creative, and independent individuals who share our passion for art, design, architecture, and popular culture.

Location: London
Closing date: Friday, 04 September 2026

ABOUT PHAIDON

Phaidon is the premier global publisher of the creative arts with over 1,500 titles in print. We work with the world’s most influential writers, chefs, architects, designers, photographers, and thinkers to produce innovative books on food, architecture, design, art, photography, fashion, general interest, travel, and illustrated books for children.

The position of Editorial Assistant offers the opportunity to join our passionate editorial team based in London at a junior level and, while previous experience of publishing or a related industry would be valuable, we invite applications from talented individuals with as broad a base of backgrounds and experience as possible. The role requires first-class written and spoken communication skills, an excellent eye for detail, strong organisational skills, and an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while keeping calm under the pressure of multiple deadlines. The successful candidate will be equally happy working collaboratively and independently, and will be passionate about the subject areas the role covers.

Candidates will be selected for interview based on their abilities and we would particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in book publishing. To apply, please email a full CV and covering letter to careers@phaidon.com.

Key Accountabilities:

• Traffic and log editorial materials on active projects. Update editorial commissioning schedules and circulate to relevant staff.
• Liaise with other departments (design, production, sales, marketing, publicity, contracts, and accounting) to relay messages, follow-up on requests for information, and in general, anticipate when to proactively act on messages.
• Communicate with authors, photographers, and agents.
• Create fact sheets, draft budgets, write cover and catalogue copy, and organize and label artwork and digital files.
• Undertake general editorial tasks as required, including proofreading, collating corrections, researching information as requested, and working on reprints.
• Assist the Editors with logging and numbering pictures, maintaining project trackers, and undertaking basic picture research.
• Read and evaluate manuscripts or drafts and write reader’s reports and create and send standard letters/acknowledgements – e.g. proposal rejections/freelance applications.
• Handle general administrative tasks for the team as needed, including answering e-mails, photocopying, mailing materials, filing correspondence, logging invoices, processing expenses, assisting with the presentation of materials at the Editorial and Publishing Meetings, logging gratis copies, and scheduling meetings.

Requirements and skills:

• A 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or above in a related subject (or international equivalent).
• Prior internship or 1–2 years publishing and/or office experience.
• Strong language and communication skills.
• Able to work independently and to follow through consistently on assignments.
• Good time management skills, organized, motivated, and capable of multi-tasking across departments, activities and projects.
• Detail-orientated, making sure that all aspects of their daily activities are handled with accuracy, with minimal mistakes.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, communication and writing skills – previous copyediting and proofreading experience will be advantageous.
• Mastery of email and calendar management tools, specifically Outlook.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Documents.
• InDesign experience and the ability to create and maintain simple databases preferred.
• Passion for book publishing and a demonstrable interest in the subject areas covered by this role.

Location: New York

We are seeking a Senior Editor to join our editorial team in New York to edit new books with a focus on the following categories: architecture, design, landscapes & gardens, and general interest. The senior editor will develop, acquire, and manage their own titles, building a robust list to help support a range of categories Monacelli publishes in. A senior editor should be experienced with identifying authors and trends, utilizing their existing network of professionals in these fields, formulating proposals, creating budgets and financial models, finalizing contracts, and playing a hands-on role from idea conception to design, editing, and final publication.

All editors work collaboratively with the publisher, production, marketing, and sales to ensure a smooth and seamless publishing process. This position will require extensive interaction with our authors, designers, internal teams, and will require superb communication skills. The ideal candidate is highly creative, detail-oriented, passionate about the subject matter, and has previous experience and a proven track record in illustrated book publishing.

Key objectives:

• Acquire and edit 8 to 10 books per year from inception to final files
• Identify talent / market trends in our publishing categories and connect with and develop potential authors
• Develop book proposals and bring ideas from concept to approved outcomes
• Finalize agreements with a clear understanding of the business and financial structure of a book deal
• Manage the editorial process from beginning to end with an emphasis on delivering new and distinctive packages
• Build design concepts for each book and work with designers to publish compelling and commercial books
• Work with global sales, marketing, PR to represent new titles and present these at sales conferences and other venues

Skills and experience required:

• Book editing experience in illustrated/art books and a proven track record of acquiring and editing successful books in the desired categories
• A background and/or proven interest in Phaidon and Monacelli’s core publishing categories: art, architecture, design, landscape/gardens, and interiors
• Proven ability to manage a high-volume list in each season while acquiring for future seasons
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, detail oriented
• Strategic ability to understand what makes a Monacelli book, which combines a commercial, creative, and elevated aesthetic
• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style; experience copy editing and proofreading
• Minimum 5 years editorial acquisitions experience

Compensation

The compensation for this position, dependent on experience, is $80,000 to $90,000. Benefits include excellent medical, dental, vision, PTO, and more.
This job is based in New York City and you are expected to work from our lower Manhattan office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and can work from home Monday and Friday. All applicants must have the right to live and work in the US.

About Monacelli

As a leading publisher of illustrated books for more than twenty-five years, Monacelli has challenged the conventions of publishing to produce provocative, inspiring, and essential titles. Founded in 1994 by Gianfranco Monacelli, the organization has released nearly 600 books on architecture, art, interior design, landscape and gardens, photography, and the applied arts. Monacelli’s books have been made in collaboration with prominent practitioners and scholars ever since its inaugural title, the groundbreaking S,M,L,XL by Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau. In 2015, the applied arts imprint Monacelli Studio was launched, adding elevated books on art instruction, photography technique, and crafts to the publisher’s roster. In 2020, Monacelli joined the Phaidon family of companies.

Monacelli Press – a division of Phaidon – has expressly engaged Jack Farrell & Associates (www.jackfarrell.com) to fill this important role. Interested candidates should provide a resume, 1–2 page cover letter, and a signings list (last 3 yrs) to Amy Morse (amy@jackfarrell.com). The letter should address: 1) why am I interested?, and 2) how am I qualified? Thank you. JO 202606022