Editor / Senior Editor – Random House Children’s Books (Hybrid)

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children’s publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom, and many other regions worldwide. We are committed to publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, with a focus on quality, excellence, and innovation. Our diverse international community includes nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints such as Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Knopf, Penguin Books, Random House Children’s Books, and Viking.

About the role

Random House Children’s Books is growing our creative team with the addition of an Editor or Senior Editor in the BFYR imprint, focusing on picture books. In this role, you will acquire and develop picture books and young formats that engage children ages 0–7, including board books, novelty books, and picture books. You will establish new series, grow existing brands, and expand successful franchises into Early Readers (Step Into Reading). We seek a retail-minded editor with a commercial picture book track record, strong creative instincts, and the ability to innovate while staying on top of market trends. You’ll collaborate with a dynamic team to bring kid-friendly, visually compelling books to life.

Responsibilities

• Edit approximately 10–15 new books per year, identifying and acquiring projects through creative avenues.
• Oversee all editorial aspects of book development, including manuscript acquisition, art direction, and copywriting (cover copy, metadata, marketing materials).
• Generate book ideas for preschool and early elementary audiences by analyzing market gaps and trends.
• Maintain publishing and production schedules, meeting deadlines while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Participate in brainstorms, editorial meetings, and sales presentations to champion titles across the division.
• Stay abreast of retail trends, self-publishing developments, and children’s media interests by reading trade publications, visiting bookstores, and monitoring competitors.

Requirements

• 4+ years of children’s books editorial experience, with a proven track record of acquiring and editing successful picture books and young illustrated work.
• Excellent writing and copywriting skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and marketing materials.
• Creative mindset for expanding children’s book characters, worlds, and franchises.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with authors, illustrators, agents, and internal teams (Editorial, Design, Sales, Marketing).
• Keen attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Teams; comfort with virtual collaboration tools.
• Familiarity with AI as an administrative tool (used with guardrails).
• Spanish language fluency is a plus but not required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k) retirement plans.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance and Life/AD&D Insurance.
• Commuter benefits and Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Educational Assistance and generous paid time off.
• Annual profit award or bonus, subject to company performance.

Pay

Editor: $77,500 (Yearly)
Senior Editor: $85,500 (Yearly)

Schedule

Hybrid role requiring 1–3 days per week at our New York City headquarters (1745 Broadway). Remote candidates may be considered for exceptional qualifications.