Books Commissioning Editor, Academic Content

We now have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and commercially driven Commissioning Editor to join our Academic Content department to acquire and quickly grow high-quality books across a range of Taylor & Francis subject areas in Humanities.

About the role:
This is a strategic commissioning role focused on content acquisition and list growth not a traditional hands-on editorial position.
Working in a leading international academic publishing group you will:
    Drive content acquisition through market insight and data-informed decision-making 
    Build and manage a competitive pipeline of high-potential publishing projects 
    Collaborate with internal teams to deliver quality at scale 

You will not be responsible for copyediting or proofreading manuscripts; instead you will work across teams to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to a high standard.

Closing date: Applications will close on 7 May 2026

What you will be doing:

• Deliver annual commissioning and revenue targets through a strong pipeline of new book projects that respond to market needs
• In consultation with your Publisher working closely with the Editorial team to develop and maintain strategy for the specific list as a part of the overall strategy of the department
• Work alongside editorial assistants to ensure that manuscripts are submitted on time and handed over to production on schedule and that publication dates are met
• Identify emerging research trends and market opportunities using qualitative insight and data 
• Recruit develop and maintain relationships with academic authors editors and societies to write books that meet said needs
• Evaluate proposals for quality originality and commercial viability to standards
• Propose quality peer-reviewed projects to publishing committee including compiling an internal proposal document and preliminary financial costing
• Negotiating contract terms with authors and/or their representatives to arrive at favourable agreements
• Close liaison with authors editorial production marketing and sales colleagues to ensure that goals are met
• Monitor competitor activity and market developments to identify opportunities for growth 
• Other tasks as necessary and specific to the role.
   

Qualifications :

What were looking for:

• Experience in academic publishing and familiarity with all aspects of the book publishing process
• A proactive self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively
• A self-motivated proactive individual with a proven track record of high performance and meeting personal targets
• Ability to identify opportunities and act quickly in a competitive market 
• Excellent relationship-building skills in written and spoken English and Mandarin particularly with academic stakeholders 
• Highly organised with the ability to proactively prioritise your workload and to work to (often competing) deadlines
• Attention to detail and delivery of high quality results
• A financial focus and ability to budget and analyse financial data
• Experience in commissioning and contract negotiation is highly desirable 
• High level of digital literacy (MS Office and relevant systems) 

Additional Information :

Location:

• This role will be based in Beijing and you should have the right to work and live in Beijing China.

• We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. Thats why we work in-person with each other or with customers and partners three days a week or more. When youre not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces like at conference you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

  The successful candidate will be able to utilise our balanced working model. We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance of our Beijing office to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office location 3 days per week. 

What we offer in return:

• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic flexible working culture
• 20 days (pro-rata for first year) annual leave per year plus an extra day off for your birthday
• 4 paid volunteering days each year
• Paid sick leave of 14 days
• Social insurance and housing fund plus supplementary medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme offering 24/7 well-being support
• Performance bonus
• Share Match plan that matches every company share purchased with two free shares
• Annual health screening for employee and spouse optical and medical care

We want all our candidates to shine in our recruitment process. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to ensure you are able to show us your best self. This could include having the application form in a different format more time for questions or anything else please ask us we are happy to be flexible! Please contact

Being Yourself at Taylor & Francis 
If youre excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience dont fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and contribute regardless of their identity or background. As a colleague you will have the opportunity to further innovate and develop in areas that you are passionate about. Our goal is to empower you with the resources incentives and flexibility you need to enjoy success at work and to live a healthy balanced life. 

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. Taylor & Francis recruits develops and retains colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit-based factor. 

If you have a disability or face another barrier  and would like to request an adjustment to assist your participation in the hiring process and/or in the advertised position please contact Your request will be reviewed and considered in the strictest confidence.

We genuinely care about our colleagues promoting work-life balance wellbeing and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring to Taylor & Francis are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities and to innovate and develop in areas which you are passionate about. To find out more about our business and the great career opportunities please go to our Careers Site: better yet check out our LinkedIn Life Page highlighting our accomplishments employees and company culture. Its also a good way of meeting our recruitment team who will be happy to advise you on your journey here at T&F. 
Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time