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

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.

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.

Head of Researcher Services & Networks

Morgan Healey Exclusive

Our client, a leading STM publisher, requires a new Head of Researcher Services & Networks. This role is responsible for developing and delivering growth strategy for China to innovate and deliver on core and new researcher product and services.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Liaising closely with the Director, design and deliver a regional growth strategy to support the delivery of the wider strategic commercial objectives
  • Defining and delivering value into the regional research ecosystem (researchers, librarians, research institutions, funders and government) to deliver long-term revenue growth
  • Establish, maintain and develop high level relationships with key customer groups; researchers and research leaders, funders, societies and institutions, commercial, professional and academic as well as government and regulatory bodies 
  • Develop and maintain market awareness through business and industry publications, networking within research communities and research leadership.
  • Provide market feedback to the Director and broader Research Services senior leadership team regarding competitive offerings, market trends & prospect needs.
  • Understand how current and future market trends in the region impact our current and potential customers Delivery of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives.
  • Monitor and report on KPIs including revenue, costs, overheads, usage and user behaviors to inform future strategic development.

Skills & Experience:

  • Experience working within the STM/Academic industry and in-depth knowledge of the Chinese market.
  • Strong commercial focus and experience in managing the P&L within a strategic business unit
  • An understanding of technologies, trends and developments in the areas of online publishing, scholarly communication and research
  • A firm grasp of strategic issues affecting the global research sector.
  • The ability to communicate and form strong working relationships and networks effectively at all levels, both internally and externally
  • Results-oriented with the ability to manage from strategic development to detailed execution
  • A proven track record of delivering high performance both personally and commercially
  • Effective management of cost and revenue growth
  • Possess excellent commercial understanding and awareness
  • A confident presenter (both formally and informally)