ASSOCIATE EDITOR, ART

Associate Editor, Art

Company: Thames &Hudson

Location: Central London, with hybrid working potential (min 3 days in the office)

Is the role full time? Yes

Is the role permanent? Yes

Salary: £31,000–£32,500, depending on experience

Contact: [email protected]

Closing date: 9 July 2026

Job Description

Thames & Hudson is the leading global publisher of illustrated books on art and visual culture. We are looking for a highly motivated Associate Editor with meaningful experience in a comparable role within art publishing to join our leading Art list.

Working closely with the Editorial Director, Art & Illustration, you will support the development and project management of illustrated non-fiction books from submission and concept stage through to publication. This is a varied and hands-on editorial role, offering the opportunity to work across a distinguished list of art books and to build relationships with authors, museum and gallery partners, freelancers, and colleagues across the business.

You will bring a meticulous eye for detail, sound editorial judgement and a collaborative approach. You will help ensure that projects are delivered on time, to budget and to the high standards expected of Thames & Hudson.

What you’ll be doing

Commissioning support

• Provide editorial and administrative support to the Editorial Director, Art & Illustration, and the Managing Editor, General Trade.
• Help assess and process submissions, maintain title information in internal systems, and support projects through the commissioning process, from P&L to contract.
• Liaise with authors and contributors, coordinating the delivery of text and illustrations, assessing manuscripts and picture lists, and relaying development edits and comments.
• Draft AI sheets and cover copy for review, and assist with research into new book ideas, authors, competing titles and revised editions.
• Request production costings, generate draft contracts, analyse picture fee estimates, and prepare picture lists in discussion with the Picture Research department.
• Assist with materials for internal book fair meetings and sales conferences.
• Provide general administrative support to the team as required.

Independent project management

Independently manage 2–3 book projects per season from acceptance of manuscript and images through to delivery, ensuring books are delivered to schedule and budget and to a high standard.

Work closely with authors, illustrators, designers, freelancers and internal departments including Design, Production, Picture Research and Pre-Press.

Copyedit in close collaboration with authors, editors, consultants and publishing partners, ensuring that edited text is accurate, engaging and approved by key stakeholders.

Report on project progress, raising any issues relating to content, budget or schedule and working with colleagues to find practical solutions.

Work closely with freelance editors to ensure that texts and image selections meet Thames & Hudson standards.

Liaise with International Rights and colleagues in our New York office so that new titles respond to book fair feedback and meet the requirements of international co-publishers.

What you’ll bring

You Will Have

• A post-graduate degree (or equivalent) in the Humanities, preferably in an area related to art or art history
• A demonstrable interest in, and wide-ranging current knowledge of, the visual arts and culture
• 2–3 years’ experience at a book publisher (ideally illustrated) or in the publishing department of a museum, gallery or university, including editorial and project management experience
• Effective time management, communication and prioritisation skills
• The ability to manage multiple projects at once and work flexibly with others
• Impeccable copyediting and proofreading skills
• Strong attention to detail and a clear commitment to quality
• Commercial awareness, including the ability to draft compelling proposals and write effective sales copy
• Fantastic communicator and collaborator
• A passion for art and art books, and an awareness of different art book markets and audiences, from contemporary art and illustration to art history
• A sensitive and proactive approach to diversity and inclusivity
• Curiosity about new technologies and openness to exploring new digital tools and ways of working, including AI
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe InDesign and Acrobat Pro

About You

We are looking for someone who is highly focused, energetic and enthusiastic, particularly about art and illustrated books. You will be reliable, methodical and conscientious, with the ability to stay calm and maintain high standards while managing a varied and substantial workload.

You will be flexible, open-minded, adaptable and resilient, with the confidence and judgement to work responsibly and inspire trust. You will also be discreet and trustworthy in your handling of information, relationships and projects.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Our commitment to inclusion

At Thames & Hudson, we believe that employing a diverse workforce is essential to our success, and selection decisions are based on applicants’ experience and skills. We welcome applications from everyone, irrespective of age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to Sophie Castle at [email protected].

Please use your cover letter to explain how you meet the requirements listed in the “What you’ll bring” section above.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 9 July.

What we offer

As well as working with a highly talented and creative group of people, we offer:

• 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Profit share scheme
• Interest-free loan for rent deposit or season travel ticket
• Discounts off our lovely Thames & Hudson books and co-editions
• Generous pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free entry into hundreds of museums and galleries nationwide