Overview
American English Specialist Editor Jobs in United Kingdom at LifeBook Memoirs
Title: American English Specialist Editor
Company: LifeBook Memoirs
Location: United Kingdom
Are you based in the UK? Do you bring an instinctive American ear to every sentence? We are looking for someone who lives and breathes language: a UK-based editor with exceptional judgment, a deep and nuanced command of contemporary American English, and the confidence that comes from knowing it inside out.
About Us
For 14 years, LifeBook Memoirs has crafted private memoirs and autobiographies, helping people preserve their personal histories with elegance and care. We work with authors from all walks of life, collaborating with a talented team of ghostwriters, editors, interviewers, and project managers to produce beautifully crafted books designed to be treasured for generations.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced UK-based editor with deep expertise in American English—its idiom, rhythm, cultural nuance, and stylistic conventions—to join our remote-working editorial team. You will be the guardian of quality across multiple memoir projects, shaping ghostwritten narratives into polished, engaging texts that resonate deeply with their authors and mentoring the freelance writers who help us deliver them.
Based in the UK, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of remote working with occasional visits to our head office as needed. You will be part of a close-knit, collaborative team that takes real pride in what it produces.
What You'll Be Doing
- Developing and refining ghostwritten memoir manuscripts, working on tone, structure, narrative flow, and authorial voice
- Copy editing to the highest standard across British, American, Canadian, and Australian English, with American English as your specialism
- Reviewing and marking up typeset proofs using Adobe Acrobat
- Preparing print-ready copy and signing off projects for print
- Mentoring ghostwriters and proofreaders, providing constructive and encouraging feedback
- Managing your own workload across multiple concurrent projects, meeting deadlines without ever sacrificing care or precision
- Collaborating closely with project managers, ghostwriters, and interviewers to resolve issues as they arise
- Contributing to the wider team—assessing prospective ghostwriters, supporting onboarding, and helping to raise and sustain standards across the board
What We're Looking ForEssential
- Native-level command of American English, with an instinctive grasp of its grammar, spelling, punctuation, idiomatic expression, cadence, and cultural references
- First-class editing skills, spanning both developmental and copy editing
- Demonstrable ability to write and edit in a variety of voices and capture individual authorial style
- Strong familiarity with Adobe Acrobat markup tools
- Excellent time management, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines
- Self-motivation and the ability to work independently to a consistently high standard
- Warm, empathetic communication skills and genuine enjoyment of nurturing other people’s writing
Desirable
- Extensive experience editing long-form narrative work for an American readership
- Familiarity with content management and project tracking tools
- Interest in social history, autobiography, or the craft of writing
At a Glance
Location: UK-based only, working remotely with occasional visits to our beautiful head office in Godalming, Surrey
Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom
Contract type: Full-time, permanent employment
Reporting to: Sernior editor
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to do work that genuinely matters—helping people tell their stories with beauty and permanence. You’ll work alongside a passionate, talented team of colleagues who value craft, collaboration, and expertise. That same care shapes how we work together: we care deeply about both the quality of our work and the people who create it.
How to Apply
We would love to hear from you. Please send your résumé or CV and a short cover letter explaining why this role appeals to you and outlining your American English editing experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a short editing assessment as part of the selection process.
