Packt Publishing is a technology publishing company serving developers, IT professionals, and tech learners with practical books, eBooks, video courses, and online learning resources. Based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, the company operates in the p...
"I enjoy the variety — one week I am editing a new data science title, the next I am coordinating with authors across three continents. The team is friendly and you do not feel like a cog," says one current editor. Another developer notes, "You will get interesting problems to solve, and there is room to try new tools." A few reviewers mention that onboarding could be smoother, and that expectations sometimes shift quickly during busy publishing cycles. Overall, people say they like the mission and the colleagues, and they appreciate that the company values learning.
The company culture at Packt Publishing leans towards practical curiosity. People are focused on producing useful, technical content and on helping learners build skills. The environment favors collaboration over hierarchy, and cross-team communication is common. There is an emphasis on quality and meeting deadlines, but the tone is generally supportive rather than cutthroat. You will find a mix of long-tenured staff and newer hires, which keeps institutional knowledge alongside fresh perspectives. For those interested in company culture at Packt Publishing, expect a technical, mission-driven workplace with a friendly, down-to-earth vibe.
Work-life balance at Packt Publishing is often described as reasonable. Teams aim to keep a steady workflow and avoid perpetual crunch, and many roles allow for flexible scheduling. During peak periods around major launches or book production deadlines, extra hours are common, and you will sometimes need to be available outside normal hours. For most people, however, the company supports time off and understands the need to recharge. If you are considering working at Packt Publishing, you should expect generally balanced weeks with occasional intense sprints.
There is a moderate level of job security. The organization has a stable niche in technical publishing, and revenue streams from books, video courses, and subscriptions provide diverse income. There is exposure to market shifts in digital learning and open-source trends, and strategic changes have influenced roles in the past. Overall, staff will find that the company is not highly volatile, but they should remain aware that publishing is a competitive industry and adjustments may be made in response to market conditions.
Leadership tends to be pragmatic and industry-savvy. Senior leaders are usually focused on product-market fit and operational efficiency. Decisions are based on measurable outcomes and market performance. Communication from senior management is generally consistent, though employees sometimes request more context when priorities change. There is a preference for data-informed choices and an expectation that teams will execute against clear goals.
Managers are typically approachable and technically competent. They will provide guidance and set expectations, and many managers invest time in developing team members' skills. Some managers are stronger at operational tasks than at people development; performance varies by team. There is a reasonable level of autonomy on most teams, and managers usually trust employees to manage their work, stepping in mainly for strategic direction or when roadblocks appear.
Learning and development are core strengths. The business revolves around learning resources, and employees have access to internal knowledge-sharing, book previews, and technical workshops. Formal training budgets are present but moderate; employees often learn on the job through cross-functional projects, mentoring, and by contributing to or reviewing content. For candidates who value continuous skill growth, this is a strong selling point.
Opportunities for promotion exist but are incremental. The company is not large, so career ladders can be flatter than at big tech firms. Promotions are typically based on demonstrated impact and the ability to take on broader responsibilities. Employees who broaden their skill set and contribute across projects will have better chances of advancement.
Salaries vary by role, experience, and geography. Editorial and content roles often range from entry-level to mid-level salaries in the local market. Technical roles, such as software engineers, typically span a wider range reflecting specialty and seniority. Compensation is competitive for a mid-sized publisher but may not match large tech companies. Salary offers will reflect local market rates and candidate experience.
Bonuses and incentives exist but are not a dominant element of total compensation. There are performance-related bonuses and occasional spot rewards for exceptional contributions. Long-term incentive schemes are limited and depend on seniority and role. The compensation package is usually steady rather than heavily variable.
Benefits packages are offered and tend to align with standard practices in an employee's country. In some locations, private health insurance or contributions are included; in others, benefits complement national healthcare. There are standard leave policies and support for wellbeing initiatives. Benefit details will vary by contract and location.
Engagement is fostered through regular team check-ins, knowledge-sharing sessions, and occasional company-wide events. Virtual meetups and team days are common for remote staff. Social events are relaxed and often centered around learning or celebrating launches. The company supports community involvement and often highlights internal achievements.
Remote work support is well established. Many teams operate remotely or in hybrid setups, and collaboration tools are in active use. The company will provide the basic remote equipment allowances and flexible working arrangements, and teams are accustomed to distributed collaboration. Remote candidates will find the company accommodating.
Average working hours align with a standard full-time schedule, usually between 37.5 and 40 hours per week. There are periodic spikes during production cycles and launches where hours increase temporarily. Managers will expect reasonable responsiveness during those times, but sustained overtime is not the norm.
Attrition is moderate and reflects the publishing industry's typical churn. There have been minor reorganizations and role consolidations in response to changing product strategies, but no widespread or frequent large-scale layoffs in recent years. The company focuses on retaining talent but will make adjustments when business needs evolve.
Overall, the company is a solid option for people who value learning, practical technical work, and a collaborative, mid-sized environment. It offers reasonable compensation, stable operations, and strong learning resources. Candidates seeking rapid upward mobility or top-of-market tech salaries may find the pace of promotion and pay different from larger tech firms. For those interested in the company culture at Packt Publishing and in working at Packt Publishing, it is a workplace that rewards curiosity, consistency, and cross-functional contribution. Overall rating: 4 out of 5.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Packt Publishing
Flexible hours and a genuinely supportive engineering team. Access to lots of technical books/resources, which helps learning quickly. Good balance of remote days and office collaboration.
Salary is decent but not top of market for similar roles. Benefits could be more competitive and there are occasional crunches around big releases.
Worked with smart authors and editors; editorial processes are clear and you get exposure to a wide range of technical topics. Colleagues are friendly and helpful.
Compensation and promotion pace felt slow compared to market. Workload spikes during production cycles can be intense and communication from senior management could be more transparent.
