Head of Transformation, Product Innovation

Our client, a global academic publisher, requires a new Head of Transformation, Product Innovation to oversee the company's "Tech Lab" a division that is responsible for exploring new ways to use technology and tech methodologies to create product opportunities, gain business insight and drive efficiencies across the business in a nimble way.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Run the Tech Lab to give a forward facing capability to explore and introduce new technologies to support new product innovation, workplace automation and improve tech fluency in Editorial & PI
  • Champion the roll out of Lean across UK Editorial, supporting the training, embedding and process mapping work to surface opportunities for workplace automation. Support editorial teams with workplace automation through light-weight applications that improve flow and automate work, with a view to pass over applications that need to scale and require long term support to IT.
  • Working with the journals business and your data scientist, deliver projects that use data to extract meaning and turn that information into knowledge. The purpose is to analyse trends, correlations and anamolies across the data in order to support key business decscions around the journal and product portfolios, and to identify opportunities where machine learning and data science techniques can add value to the business.
  • Chart and explore emerging technologies and industry start-up landscape that might impact and offer opportunities.

Skill & Experience:

  • At least five years experience of leading product or software engineering teams
  • A deep understanding of web platforms, from databases to the front end
  • A good understanding of best practice in software and product development principles
  • Proven ability to quickly understand new technologies
  • An ability to create, or direct the creation of, proof of concept technical prototypes
  • Hiring experience
  • Experience working in academic publishing
  • Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment, building strong relationships and motivating and inspiring a team
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills – influencing by persuasion and influence rather than authority
  • Commercial business sense
  • Accountability and integrity
  • Pro-active problem solving through insight and judgement
  • Ability to prioritise and focus to drive successful delivery
  • Technical fluency and experience of user-centered design practice
  • Excellent time management and efficient execution of tasks

Managing Director

Morgan Healey Exclusive Assignment

Our client, a library SaaS company recently acquired by a global publisher, requires a new Managing Director to lead the business as they continue to grow in this exciting time of their development. 

You will be responsible for the demanding product development and sales plans as they continue to drive growth and marketing penetration.

The role will ideally be based in the Netherlands, but we will also consider UK candidates.

Key responsibilities:

  • Be responsible for the development, execution and evolution of a business and technology strategy to differentiate core products from competitors.
  • Scope the future direction and potential for the business and build a business case for investment where appropriate.
  • Lead and motivate the team in pursuit of the product vision and strategic goals
  • Staff recruitment to grow the team in line with the strategic plan
  • Report business progress, plans and strategic advice to the board to provide an accurate view of the market, operations and business future
  • Responsible for budget and profitability
  • Responsible for a global sales strategy to grow market penetration & maintain customer retention
  • Deliver a product innovation program to substantially grow the offering over the next 5 years
  • Accountable for service delivery to customers
  • Oversee technology decisions and long-term technology strategy
  • Analyse problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure company survival and growth

Skills & Experience:

  • Leadership position for an early stage business
  • Commercial experience building a sales operation and a track record of sales success
  • Proven experience working with a SaaS business Proven experience working within a large organisation
  • Team player able to work with other parts of the wider business in a collaborative way
  • Willingness to travel globally
  • Experience working in the academic library business (not essential, but nice to have) 

Chief Executive Officer – AIP Publishing

Morgan Healey Retained Assignment – Currently at final interview stage

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

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.