Editorial Production Editor – Open Access

Morgan Healey Exclusive

Our client, a leading Open Access publisher based in London, is searching for a new Editorial Production Editor.

Reporting into the Operations Manager, the Editorial Production Editor will be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of journals from submission through production and to final publication. The Editorial Production Editor will work with operations staff based overseas to perform this role, and work to achieve an ever-improving author experience.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Managing a portfolio of journals from submission through to final publication
  • Ensuring key performance indicators on these journals are met via critique, feedback and reporting Acting as an escalation point for overseas colleagues, and for authors, reviewers and editors
  • Taking a proactive approach to improve quality, turnaround times and author experience within a portfolio of journals
  • Using initiative to identify new efficiencies to suggest process changes to the Operations Manager
  • Keeping the Operations Manager updated on the performance of a portfolio of journals and the operations teams
  • Completing spot checks on overseas supplier output to ensure quality and accuracy
  • Ensuring documentation to is updated
  • Working on vendor and operational projects
  • Acting as a cover for colleague absences and to deputise for the Operations Manager if required
  • Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Willing to travel is required

Skills & Experience:

  • 2 years of either production or editorial experience in an STM environment
  • Experience working with overseas suppliers
  • Proven ability to prioritise own workload and to meet deadlines

Head of Journal Publishing – Dubai

Morgan Healey Exclusive

Our client, a leading journal and conference proceedings publisher for the research and academic markets requires a new Head of Publishing to manage the day to day operations of the publishing department and set the publishing strategy.

We are looking for an experienced publishing professional with a commercial focus and experience of leading publishing strategies. We are looking for a talented individual with a proven track record within, and a passion for, the publishing industry.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for successful delivery of publishing projects to achieve strategic goals
  • Developing the publishing offerings
  • Leading and managing the publishing team to ensure objectives are met
  • Devising and implementing publishing strategies, the business plan and annual budget
  • Implementing efficient publishing processes and standards to ensure publications are on time and within budget
  • Accelerating the growth of the online Open Access publishing platform, working in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
  • Responsible for the planning and shaping of the company’s publishing programme

Skills & Experience:

  • Established senior editorial or production experience in professional, STM or educational publishing
  • Experience of working with journals is essential and conference proceedings publishing experience would be advantageous
  • Proven team management experience
  • Excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills
  • Native English speaker or equivalent level
  • Experience working with web-based technology and management information systems
  • In-depth understanding of the publishing industry and its workflow
  • Ability to identify market needs and define services to address them

Executive Editor Chemistry

Our client, a leading society publisher, is seeking an Executive Editor to lead, set and implement the editorial strategy for the world’s largest Open Access journal dedicated to the chemical sciences. The Executive Editor will be responsible for continuing to grow and develop the journal following this successful transition to Open Access.  

We are seeking a highly motivated publishing professional with strong strategic acumen and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will have a high level of external contact with the relevant research communities and will use this market information to develop strategic priorities to ensure the journal meets these communities’ needs.  

Key Responsibilities:

  • Setting, developing and implementing the journal strategy and delivering KPIs in terms of usage, market share, quality, reputation and customer service.
  • Developing the best authorship and readership for the journal, through networking, personal contact, commissioning, attendance at conferences, site visits and roadshows etc.
  • Managing, leading and motivating a team of up to 5 direct reports, and wider base of Associate Editors.

Skills & Experience:

  • Significant experience in STM journal publishing, including commissioning; an excellent understanding of the peer review process, editorial policy and marketing.
  • A good degree in science (chemical sciences normally preferred).
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
  • Proven ability to lead and motivate a team.
  • Good organisational and time-management skills are required together with the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
  • Willingness to travel extensively nationally and internationally. Up-to-date knowledge of and passion for the chemical sciences.

Online Project Manager – Peer Review

Our client, a leading academic publisher, requires a new Online Project Manager, Peer Review. You will work in the UK Online Peer Review team and ensure that the group meets targets for new site builds, supports live journals in an effective and efficient manner, and migrates journals online peer review systems as required.

Key Responsibilities:

  • To proactively and collaboratively work across the business to improve efficiencies and effectiveness within our online peer review systems.
  • Roll out ScholarOne Manuscripts™ and other online peer review platforms to an agreed budgeted number of journals annually, and support journals platforms as and when queries arise.
  • Assess, develop, communicate and implement new features through subsequent online peer review system version releases as appropriate.
  • Manage Editorial Assistants and Assistant Editors within the UK Online Peer Review team, set objectives and regularly review performance to ensure the team handle an appropriate quantity and produce appropriate quality of work.
  • Assist with definition of priorities and objectives for the UK division of the Online Peer Review team and develop metrics to measure and report on progress, success and benefits.
  • Explore external product development and partnerships, if and as needed. Contribute to due diligence and transition activities for journal acquisitions
  • Support department-wide initiatives and projects, as required.

Skills & Experience:

  • Proven experience within a journals publishing role, with an understanding of the changes and challenges facing academic publishing.
  • Prior line-management or supervisory experience.
  • Excellent project management administration skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Detailed understanding of online journal peer review and submission systems, with direct experience of working with ScholarOne Manuscripts.
  • Reasonable level of IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Experience of training internal and external staff.

Reviewer Engagement Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Reviewer Engagement Manager to work for a global STM Publisher.

You will be responsible for setting the strategy and delivering the company's reviewer training programme and acting as an ambassador within the community.

You will own the roadmap for training and onboarding new reviewers from across the researcher community and define what quality peer review looks like. As an early career researcher champion, you will own online reviewer training and support, host regular training webinars and deliver a series of training events under the Academy brand.

You will need to be constantly alert to the needs of early career researchers and changes within the industry and will act as the face of peer review within the publishing and academic community.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Defining and delivery our peer review strategy to engage and train new external peer reviewers
  • Delivering peer review training events
  • Managing a schedule of outreach events to support international growth
  • Training and supporting reviewers

Skills & Experience:

  • Demonstrable experience of working with the reviewer community and understanding their requirements in the STM Publishing market
  • Demonstrable data-driven approach to decision making, utilising validated customer feedback and insights as well as business metrics to make decisions
  • Experience of continuous improvement and ideally lean methodology;
  • Expert user of all relevant analytical and reporting tools (eg Business Objects, Scholar One, SCOPUS, Web of Science)
  • Experience of managing successful negotiations
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to influence senior stakeholders and achieve buy-in
  • Ability to build strong, effective industry networks worldwide
  • Ability to balance short, medium and long term demands and plan appropriately.