Interim Head of Publishing (Maternity Cover)

Bloodhound Books | Part-Time | Remote | Fixed-Term Contract

Location: Remote, UK-based
Contract: November 2026 – October 2027 (Maternity Cover)
Hours: 3 days per week
Salary: Dependent on experience (pro rata)
Reporting to: Christine Gillespie, VP, Open Road Integrated Media

About Bloodhound Books

Bloodhound Books is an award-winning UK publisher specialising in commercial fiction, with a strong focus on digital publishing and innovative marketing. As part of Open Road Integrated Media, we combine the personal approach of an independent publisher with the expertise and resources of an international digital publishing business.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Interim Head of Publishing to lead Bloodhound Books during a period of maternity cover.

This senior, part-time role will oversee publishing operations, author relationships, marketing strategy and team management, working closely with Bloodhound's established team and colleagues at Open Road Integrated Media.

The ideal candidate will have significant publishing experience, a strong background in marketing (ideally digital fiction publishing), and proven experience managing a team. Excellent communication skills, commercial awareness and the ability to work independently are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Author Relationships

  • Act as the senior point of contact for authors and literary agents, maintaining strong relationships and overseeing key communications.

  • Manage sensitive author queries, publishing updates and commercial discussions.

Publishing and Commercial Strategy

  • Oversee the publishing programme, including cover design approvals, retail descriptions and pricing strategy.

  • Manage commissioning and submissions oversight, working with the team on acquisitions.

  • Collaborate with Open Road's finance team and external rights agents on subsidiary rights, offers and payments.

Marketing

  • Lead marketing strategy across frontlist and backlist titles, identifying priority books for promotional support.

  • Oversee individual title marketing plans, including blog tours, competitions, digital promotions and advertising opportunities.

  • Coordinate with Open Road's marketing teams on BookBub, newsletter promotions, digital advertising campaigns and monthly deals.

  • Approve promotional selections, pricing activity and campaign materials, delegating implementation to the wider team.

Team Leadership and Operations

  • Lead and support the Bloodhound team, working closely with the Head of Operations and Marketing Executive.

  • Oversee priorities, workflows and key publishing decisions.

  • Support freelancer management and contract oversight alongside the Head of Operations.

Open Road Liaison

  • Act as the primary contact between Bloodhound and Open Road's publishing, marketing and finance teams.

  • Attend regular strategic, marketing and revenue reporting meetings.

  • Provide updates on publishing activity, author matters and commercial performance.

About You


Essential:

  • Senior-level publishing experience with proven team management and leadership skills.

  • Strong marketing background, ideally within commercial fiction or digital publishing.

  • Excellent author relationship management and communication skills.

  • Commercial understanding of book sales, pricing and promotional strategy.

  • Highly organised, proactive and confident working independently in a remote environment.

Desirable:

  • Experience with digital book marketing.

  • Knowledge of subsidiary rights, publishing contracts and acquisitions.

  • Experience working with international publishing teams.

What We Offer

An exciting opportunity to lead an established commercial fiction publisher, working with a collaborative team and a strong author list. This is a flexible, fully remote, three-day-per-week position with the support and resources of Open Road Integrated Media.

How To Apply

Please email us at jobs@bloodhoundbooks.com with a short introduction, your CV, and any other pertinent information.