About Emerald Publishing
What is Emerald Publishing?
Founded in 1967 in Leeds, Emerald Publishing is a global academic and scholarly publisher with 350+ peer-reviewed journals and a broad book and case-study programme connecting research to practice. Emerald serves the management, education, healthcare, library science, urban planning, public policy, transport, and tourism research communities — publishing work that aligns with its 3Ps of People, Planet, Prosperity. The company is independent and operates from the UK with a global remote workforce.
Emerald was named one of the 2025 Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces, reflecting an explicit philosophy: "we are a small to medium-sized company that invests heavily in flexibility, career development, and work-life balance, so market-leading pay levels are not realistic for us. That said, we review salaries annually" — and salaries are benchmarked transparently at 80-120% of market median with corrective pay rises for anyone below 80%.
Where will I work?
Emerald is remote-first: "we perform at our best when we feel trusted and can choose an approach to working that suits us best." UK colleagues meet at least once a month for team time and quarterly for company get-togethers in the Leeds office (21-23 Wellington Street). Candidates are asked to live within a commutable distance of Leeds.
What is the Emerald team like?
The Emerald team works to a culture of "Meaning & purpose," "Develop & grow," "Connection & community," and "Benefits & pay." Internal development is comprehensive: bespoke 1:1 coaching, apprenticeships at all ages, LinkedIn Learning's 5,000+ courses, the in-house Emerald Learning Pathways (Data, Everyday Leader, Planet), the Elevate development programme (combining coaching with real-world Pathfinder project applications), and reverse-mentoring opportunities. Recognition uses 3Cheers (peer-to-peer £10 on-the-spot rewards), the annual GEM award (winner £1,250 + £500 experience voucher; runner up £250 + £250), and Long Service Awards.
Work-Life Balance
Emerald offers 38 days annual leave including UK bank holidays, with a buy/sell window for up to 5 extra days. Beyond holiday, 5 days of paid carers leave, 5 days of paid dependant's leave, and up to 3 'Moments that matter' days per year (house moves, weddings, child's first day at school) provide cover for life events. After 2 years' continuous service, you can request an unpaid sabbatical; after 10 years, you can request a paid month off. Maternity/adoption leave is 16 weeks full pay + 16 weeks half pay, paternity is 4 weeks full pay, and "Returnity" ramps you back from leave on full pay for the first month.
Perks and Benefits
- 38 days annual leave (inc. UK bank holidays) + buy/sell up to 5 days + 3 'Moments that matter' days/year
- Maternity/Adoption: 16 weeks full + 16 weeks half pay; Paternity: 4 weeks full pay; Returnity ramp-back (full pay) for the first month back
- Unpaid sabbatical after 2 years; paid 1-month sabbatical after 10 years' service
- EAP free 24/7 for employee + family + Mental Health First Aiders + on-site Leeds gym + Wellbeing programme + Flu jab £16/yr
- Pension: pay 2% get 6% match; pay 3%+ get 7% (Group Personal Pension, auto-enrolled after 3 months)
- Life Assurance 4x basic annual salary (eligible after 3 months) + Income Protection up to 75% salary after 26 weeks sickness
- Enhanced sickness pay ramping from 1 week to 6 months' full pay by 36 months' service
- Discretionary annual bonus: ~4% company performance + up to 12% individual outperformance + up to 2% 3Ps contribution
- Salary benchmarked annually: 80-120% of market median, with corrective rises if below 80%
- Bespoke 1:1 coaching + LinkedIn Learning 5,000+ courses + Emerald Learning Pathways + Elevate programme + mentoring/reverse-mentoring + externally-funded specialist courses
- £26/month tax-free WFH allowance (covers home office setup, heating, energy)
- Cycle to Work (tax savings up to 42%) + 3Cheers £10 peer awards + GEM award £1,750 winner / £500 runner up + £1,000 referral vouchers + Long Service Awards + Emerald Extras reward platform + High Street discounts
- 2 paid volunteering days/year