Director, Open Science Strategy & Licensing

Morgan Healey Retained Assignment

Our client, a global STM Society requires a new Director of Open Science Strategy & Licensing based in the UK. This is a vital role for the society as they look to increase engagement in Open Science, with a focus on driving author and revenue share. This role will ensure they meet market and competitive challenges, while balancing broad participation with profitable revenue growth.

You will hold a detailed understanding of global publishing OA initiatives, preferences and funding mechanisms. You will understand and evaluate the varied activities, initiatives and approaches competitor publishers are offering. You will research and diplomatically engage with both transnational, regional or discipline specific funders and other stakeholders with relevance OA and OS policy and frameworks. You will define market-specific approaches, evaluate products, strategies and barriers to transition current subscription-funded publishing or markets to an equivalent or greater level of funded open access.

Working closely with the Division's sales, marketing, and editorial teams, you will develop business rationale and ultimately business plans for further OA developments. This activity will assess opportunities, risks, and long-term benefits relating to when or where we should expand and invest in new OA and OS publishing strategies. The position will propose pricing relating to Open Science, and ultimately if, when, and how, we should transition existing subscription products to a fully open model.

Skills & Experience:

  • Advanced degree
  • 10+ years of publishing experience in increasingly senior roles working with leading Open Science stakeholders and policy drivers.
  • Demonstrates extensive knowledge of the STM market and the Open Science movement.
  • Understanding of scholarly publishing workflows and platforms from both a publisher and author perspective.
  • Understanding of transnational copyright and IP environment.
  • Proven global perspective and business planning experience. Ability to analyse and articulate customer needs and technical requirements – and operationalize new program initiatives.
  • Charismatic leadership and communications (oral and written) skills required.
  • Willingness and ability to travel globally – up to 35% of office time.

Chief Executive Officer – AIP Publishing

Morgan Healey Retained Assignment

AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). AIP Publishing’s mission is to support the charitable, scientific and educational purposes of AIP through scholarly publishing activities in the fields of the physical and related sciences on its own behalf and on behalf of its publishing partners to help them proactively advance their missions.

AIP Publishing seeks an experienced and dynamic new Chief Executive Officer. The position is based in Melville New York. Relocation assistance is available. The AIP Publishing portfolio consists of 30 leading peer-reviewed journals covering a broad spectrum of the physical sciences, including titles from several publishing partners; in addition, an e-books program has recently been launched. AIP Publishing serves a global audience of authors, editors, reviewers, readers and library customers. With over 30,000 annual article submissions and almost 4000 library customers, AIP Publishing is a primary source of revenue for AIP.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support and enhance the mission of the parent organisation, AIP, by being a leading publisher in the physical sciences;
  • Develop and deliver AIP Publishing’s short and long-term strategy;
  • Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the company and deliver revenue and surplus targets;
  • Introduce new products and services to diversify current streams of revenue in response to market trends and customer needs;
  • Lead the organisation in addressing current market challenges and opportunities including:
    • sustain the current business model
    • grow Open Access
    • foster the Strategic Partnerships recently concluded with society partners
    • increase the number of publishing partners
    • grow the e-books program
  • Develop and maintain a positive strategic orientation with the Board of Managers
  • Monitor trends in adjacent markets and position the organisation to take advantage of these trends
  • Seek to enhance and protect AIP Publishing’s image, reputation, and assets.
  • Recruit, develop, inspire, and motivate a talented team of publishing professionals to enable AIP Publishing to thrive in a competitive global market for scientific information products and services

The CEO is a voting member of the AIP Publishing Board of Managers and is responsible for the overall operation and day-to-day management of AIP Publishing, LLC.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

  • University or college degree in physics or a related science is required
  • Advanced graduate degree and/or MBA is strongly preferred 
  • 15+ years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years of management experience in roles with direct accountability for both financial and operational performance of multiple units within a global, digital, publishing environment
  • Demonstrable senior leadership experience and a track record of success
  • Clarity of vision and sound professional judgment
  • Industry credibility that proves influential with outside stakeholders including the societies, agencies, etc., with which AIP Publishing needs to collaborate, coordinate, and partner.

Closing date for applications is Friday 15th of November. Please send applications to james@morganhealey.com