Recruitment trends in publishing, by Danny Parnes

‍Evolving nature of traditional roles

One of the most striking developments has been the changing nature of traditional roles. The sales role, once focused primarily on order-taking and account management, is now increasingly commercial. Across the industry, sales professionals today are working closely with editorial and product teams to shape publishing programmes that meet emerging market needs, as customer input is vital in driving adoption and uptake. Sales teams are expected not only to deliver revenue but to help influence product strategy and pricing.

The role of the marketer has changed significantly in recent years, with the role becoming much more strategic and proactive. Marketers are expected to understand their audience inside out, find new ways to reach readers, and build meaningful engagement across multiple channels. In academic publishing, digital tools have enabled marketers to segment and engage with researchers and librarians in new ways, often working hand-in-hand with data analysts and product managers.

Editorial roles, too, are becoming more customer-facing. Editors in education publishing, for example, are working directly with educators and curriculum leaders to commission content that aligns closely with learning outcomes and market requirements. In academic publishing, commissioning editors must understand trends in research funding, open access, and institutional needs, requiring more proactive engagement with the academic community than ever before. In trade publishing, editors are balancing creative commissioning with market insight, often relying on sales data to inform decisions and shape acquisitions.

Increasing impact of AI

AI is becoming more widely used in scholarly publishing, particularly in areas such as peer review support, metadata enrichment, and audience analysis. Some publishers are exploring tools to help with tasks such as reviewer matching or improving the visibility of research through enhanced metadata. In sales and marketing, AI is being used to better understand user behaviour and tailor outreach. As these tools become more common, there’s a growing need for people who can interpret results carefully, apply judgement, and make sure they’re being used appropriately.

At Think Selection, we’ve incorporated AI into parts of our recruitment process to support the operational side of our work, alongside the human judgement that informs our approach. Making the right hire still depends on understanding people and the way individuals and teams work best together.

A more current approach to recruitment

We’ve seen firsthand how publishers are reshaping their teams and recruitment strategies to keep pace with change. Since 2003, we’ve provided a thoughtful, discreet and highly personalised recruitment service to clients. With deep industry knowledge and a consultative approach, we recruit across all areas of publishing—from editorial, sales and marketing to operations, finance and IT—at every level from entry point to boardroom.

We invest time in understanding each client’s culture and needs, providing advice on salary trends, hybrid working, and new role creation—services that have become even more valuable in today’s dynamic environment. Together, Maverick and Think Selection make a powerful and knowledgeable team. Coupling Maverick’s well-connected network of Associate consultants around the globe with Think Selection’s in-depth recruitment and candidate search expertise, we not only ensure we provide the widest exposure for any potential role but also access to the most comprehensive range of potential candidates from all relevant backgrounds and role levels.

For a confidential discussion about your hiring needs, contact Danny Parnes at Think Selection on +44 (0) 7958 208817 or via email at danny@thinkselection.com

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