Head of Journal Publishing – Dubai

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

Reviewer Engagement Manager

Morgan Healey Exclusive 

Our client, a leading scientific publisher, requires a new Reviewer Engagement Manager. We are seeking applicants who enjoy keeping up to date with the latest biomedical research, are detail-oriented, have great customer-facing communication skills and previous experience in an outreach role.

The Reviewer Engagement Manager is accountable for design and delivery of best in class reviewer training and engagement programmes serving researchers across China; using a variety of research tools and skills to identify experts suitable to act as peer reviewers for international, cutting edge biomedical research. Strong data analysis skills are a prerequisite. The role will also include line-management of a small team, also based in Beijing.

Reporting to the UK-based Head of Reviewer Programmes, the Reviewer Engagement Manager will collaborate with global colleagues to present training online and in person, to organise reviewer training and engagement events, and to match reviewers with appropriate journals. You will work closely with sales, marketing and editorial colleagues to ensure approaches are aligned with both global departmental objectives and local strategic context.

Skills & Experience:

  • A postgraduate qualification, PhD or equivalent, in biomedical sciences
  • Data analysis
  • Project Management
  • Fluent in Mandarin/ Standard Chinese
  • A strong command of English spelling and grammar
  • Knowledge of publishing and peer review processes
  • Industry and market awareness
  • Experience in a customer-facing role
  • Experience of coaching, mentoring, and adapting to others’ learning styles
  • Understanding of skills and tools required for managing change
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office software

Development Editor (Books)

Our client, a leading Academic publisher requires a new Development Editor who will maximise the quality and sales potential of a list of key textbooks.

The Development Editor co-ordinates the writing, shaping and delivery of a set of textbooks and the digital resources that usually accompany them. The role involves working closely with internal colleagues to define clear development plans and with external authors and editors to make sure the content they produce is high quality, meets market needs and is delivered to deadlines and within budget.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Works closely with the Commissioning Editor to create development objectives and plans to ensure the textbook and any digital ancillaries meet market needs and beat competitors.
  • Communicates regularly with authors to share plans, agree schedules, check writing progress, provide feedback and to generally enthuse and steer them to deliver their manuscripts according to plan, contract word limits and deadlines.
  • Carries out market research with lecturers and students to understand their needs, get feedback on draft material, generate comments for use in marketing and create awareness of the book in the market before publication.
  • Feeds into Marketing and Sales activities by providing clear blurb copy, USPs, features, needs and benefits and by differentiating each book from other titles (our own and competitors’).
  • Works with the Digital Content Manager, Production Editor and Designer to ensure that the book is designed and produced to be attractive and accessible to readers and that print and digital pedagogy are well-integrated.
  • Supports the growth of development know-how within the wider editorial team by providing ad hoc advice to Editors and Assistants, sharing examples and running occasional training sessions.

Skills & Experience

  • A confident and influential communicator both in person and in writing
  • Well-organised with demonstrable experience of keeping complex projects on track
  • A problem-solver, who is able to identify challenges on the horizon and come up with innovative solutions.
  • A natural collaborator who actively seeks input from colleagues and shares information
  • Good understanding of the textbook publishing process
  • Experience of working in academic publishing is desirable.