Literary Assistant
Division: Literary
Reports to: Managing Directors, Literary
Location: Central London
Salary: £30,000

YMU Literary is looking for a highly organised and proactive Literary Assistant to support the Managing Directors of our literary division. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented administrative role within a small team, offering an opportunity to contribute to a vibrant agency environment where we specialise in high-quality publishing that supports and enhances our clients’ broader careers. The role will also include some crossover with our Event Appearances team, supporting clients who are represented in both areas.

We're looking for someone who thrives on structure and precision, but who also brings creative energy and curiosity to the table. You’ll be at the heart of the department, helping to manage everything from schedules and submissions to industry events and social media, while liaising with clients and publishing partners. This is a great entry point for someone looking to start their career in publishing or literary representation.

About Us

YMU is a global talent management company representing leading names in Entertainment, Music, Sport, and Literary. The Literary division works across a broad slate of projects, in the UK & US: supporting across YMU’s roster for book deals, developing and representing book projects for our literary clients and partnering with other agencies to manage UK rights and publishing opportunities. Our goal is to demystify the publishing process for clients and ensure that the projects we’re bring to market are impactful and of the highest quality.

What You’ll Be Doing

Team & Project Support:

• Monitoring contracts, invoices, and project timelines
• Maintaining databases and internal resources (editor lists, rights guides, schedules)
• Writing clear and insightful book reports for internal use
• Sharing industry news and coordinating team communication
• Acting as a first point of contact for the wider YMU departments on day-to-day matters

Executive Support:

• Managing the diaries, expenses, department inboxes, travel, and logistics for the Literary Managing Directors
• Handling meeting agendas, minutes, post, and general office administration
• Supporting book fair prep (London, Frankfurt, etc.): scheduling meetings, booking tables, coordinating briefings

Client-Facing Support:

• Acting as a first point of contact for clients/authors on logistical or day-to-day matters
• Helping manage social media channels for the Literary division
• Supporting crossover clients on event appearances: coordinating travel, briefing and logistics, call sheets, and production requirements

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven experience in a detail-driven administrative role
• Confident written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple deadlines independently
• Comfortable using (or quick to learn) varying IT programs, e.g. MS Office, Keynote, Canva, Airtable, Trello
• A keen interest in media and entertainment
• Editorial instincts and an interest in all facets the publishing landscape
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to adapt to new challenges

Equal Opportunities

YMU Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected diversity characteristics such as race/ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. All successful job applications are subject to referencing and background checks.

To apply, please email your CV and Cover Letter to Careers@ymugroup.com