Job Vacancies

About Search Press

Winner of the Independent Specialist Publisher of the Year 2026!
We are a family-run independent publishing company operating for over 55 years, specialising in arts and crafts publishing. We have a friendly team of 37, including a full warehouse and distribution operation. We publish around 100 new titles a year alongside a strong backlist, and also offer distribution services to other publishers.

Vacancies

International Rights Manager

Search Press – Winner of the Independent Specialist Publisher of the Year 2025

The Rights Manager will be responsible for driving income from co-edition and subsidiary rights. This includes securing licensing deals and sales across all formats (print, digital and other), including co-edition, file/film and royalty deals.

The role requires developing and managing territories to build market knowledge, foster customer relationships, and maximise revenue and profitability, including working with agents where appropriate.

You will manage Search Press’s presence at and attendance at major book fairs to maximise rights opportunities and meet customers.

You will maintain comprehensive product knowledge to inform sales and commissioning decisions and ensure accurate processing of rights deals, working closely with editorial, production and accounts departments.

There may also be opportunities for additional International Sales responsibilities alongside the Rights role.

To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Ideally Have

• Previous experience and knowledge of rights business models and processes for co-edition and licensing
• Strong negotiation skills, including the ability to think creatively to optimise third-party partnerships across cultures and languages
• Willingness to travel to overseas book fairs and visit customers at their offices, either independently or with colleagues as required
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to understand financial models relating to licensing and co-edition deals
• Adaptability, with strong organisational and time management skills
• System knowledge and ability to develop effective knowledge of relevant systems to manage the lifecycle of rights deals

The role reports to the Sales and Marketing Director and involves close collaboration with Editorial, Production, Sales and Marketing teams.

Salary will depend on experience (£30–40k per annum) and includes a generous benefits package, company pension scheme and annual bonus based on company performance.

The role could be hybrid or office-based, and part-time working will be considered for the right candidate.

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to charliedlb@searchpress.com

Rights and International Sales Executive

Location: Tunbridge Wells – Wellwood, North Farm Road, Kent TN2 3DR

Reporting to: Sales and Marketing Director

The Role

The Rights element of this role will be responsible for driving income from co-edition and subsidiary rights. This includes securing licensing deals and sales across all formats (print, digital and other), including co-edition, file/film and royalty deals. In addition, the role will grow English-language international sales across the world (excluding the UK and Ireland).

The successful candidate will develop and manage territories, build market knowledge, foster customer relationships, and maximise revenue and profitability, including working with agents where appropriate.

You will organise Search Press’s presence at major book fairs to maximise English-language sales and rights opportunities and meet customers.

You will maintain strong product knowledge to inform sales and commissioning decisions and ensure accurate processing of rights deals, working closely with editorial, production and accounts teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify and pursue new international sales opportunities (excluding UK) in both English-language and foreign editions
• Manage the full sales cycle from title presentation through to negotiation and sale
• Achieve and exceed sales targets
• Prepare and deliver sales and rights presentations
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, buyers and internal teams
• Monitor competitor activity

Key Skills We’re Looking For

• Sales experience and knowledge of rights business models for co-edition and licensing
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to optimise partnerships across cultures
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Strong commercial understanding of licensing and co-edition deals
• Strong organisation and time management skills
• Ability to learn and use relevant systems effectively

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including pension and bonus potential.

To apply, email CV and covering letter to charliedlb@searchpress.com

Commissioning Editor

Are you a commercially minded editor with a passion for upcoming trends in arts, crafts, creativity and illustrated publishing?

Search Press is the largest specialist art and craft book publisher in the world. We are an independent, award-winning company publishing practical titles across patchwork, pottery, watercolour, weaving and more. Our aim is to help readers find joy in creativity through inspiring and practical guidance.

We are looking for a proactive and ambitious Commissioning Editor to join our publishing team. This is a varied role for someone with strong editorial instincts, commercial awareness and enthusiasm for creative publishing.

Working closely with the Editorial Director, you will help shape and grow a list of 100 titles a year across books, bookazines, licensed publishing, non-book products and backlist publishing.

The role suits someone with at least 3 years’ experience in illustrated non-fiction publishing who enjoys spotting opportunities, building relationships and driving publishing growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Commission art and craft titles across a 100-title annual programme
• Develop relationships with authors, publishers, brands and licensing partners
• Identify trends through research, trade shows and store visits
• Attend London and Frankfurt Book Fairs to acquire translation rights
• Develop reissues, repackaging and backlist opportunities
• Contribute to bookazines and new formats
• Create non-book products including card decks and gift formats
• Maintain and grow publishing partnerships
• Prepare acquisition materials and proposals
• Work with design, marketing, sales and production teams

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years’ experience in illustrated publishing
• Strong commercial awareness
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Interest in art, craft or creative publishing trends
• Experience with licensed publishing (desirable)
• Knowledge of co-edition or translation publishing (advantageous)

What We Offer

Full-time permanent role based in Tunbridge Wells. Hybrid working considered.

• Competitive salary
• 24 days holiday plus additional service days
• Profit share bonus
• Private health insurance
• Free lunch, tea and coffee
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking and EV charging
• Near mainline train station

Closing date: 1st June 2026

Apply with CV and covering letter to samw@searchpress.com