Commissioning & Development Editor (Journals)

 

Recruiter:

Persona Staff

Job Ref:

CPT003191/IP

Date posted:

Friday, October 21, 2022

Location:

Capetown, South Africa


JOB SUMMARY:
Our client in the educational industry has a vacancy for a Journals Commissioning & Development Editor to join their scholarly publishing team in a dynamic, fast-moving environment on a full-time basis. You will play a key role in initiating and implementing the editorial start-up and development strategy for a portfolio of journals.
You will be involved in widening their journals' visibility, increasing community engagement amongst their authors and readers using personal communication, and keeping up to date with publishing developments from their competitor journals.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Journal Commissioning and Development Editor takes responsibility for initiating, growing, and developing a portfolio of open-access journals.
The role requires close liaison with other departments and effective project management to achieve specific goals. The aims are to optimise the publishing service, utilise commercial opportunities and increase the market share of publications and citations. The Journal Development Editor translates business and team-wide objectives into journal initiation or development actions and provides guidance and information to shape the appropriate strategy for these journals.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Identify key target researchers and research groups to develop and implement structured commissioning plans. Engaging with the research community to understand trends in the discipline, including competitor landscape analysis and trends in international funding for physiology and related research.
  • Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with academic Editors, Editorial Boards, society executives and other key contacts in the field to build and promote the journals, maintain the journals' reputation, and increase submissions. You will build strong networks via 1:1 discussion, presentations, conference attendance etc. and engage them in discussion regarding potential articles and submissions to our journals. You will collaborate closely with them to act as key ambassadors and advocates to encourage submissions from their community. You will build knowledge of the different fields and the relevant scientific communities to identify development opportunities and translate them into actions to maintain a competitive advantage. This will involve engaging with senior scientists and obtaining their advice.
  • Competitor analysis and identifying opportunities for developing our journals in a competitive landscape.
  • Work with members of the team to acquire or initiate new journals.
  • Regularly conduct structured analysis of relevant academic fields, using a range of tools to identify growth areas and potential opportunities to drive article submissions across the portfolio.
  • Produce and implement journal development plans. Ensure the journals are promoted through all relevant avenues. Represent the company at scientific conferences when required to improve market knowledge, network within the community, receive feedback on the journals and promote the company.
  • Plan and drive the commissioning of content for identified Journals, including proactively suggesting topics where necessary and inviting articles on key topics by leading authors.
  • Organise and host Editorial Board meetings. Taking part in Editorial Board meetings by proposing development strategies for the journal, preparing papers for the meeting and minute-taking.
  • Managing the Editorial Boards of the company.
  • Work with the indexing and analytics team to ensure appropriate data is analysed and presented.
  • Support management with journal contract renewals.
  • Provide line-management, coaching and training for more junior members of staff working on the journals, as required by business needs.
  • Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure existing and potential customer base needs are met, effectively monitored and managed.
  • Set up and run a programme of topic-based editorial development workshops/master classes for colleagues.
  • Contributing to cross-departmental projects which support the development and implementation of the wider Publishing strategy.
 
Qualification & Requirements:
  • Educated to a degree level, a master's degree will be advantageous to your application.
  • Valid RSA Driver’s license
  • Must be willing to travel
 
Experience:
  • Excellent networking and analytical skills;
  • Excellent presentational skills; 
  • Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal; 
  • Familiarity with the Research Process and the Scientific community;
  • Previous experience in commissioning and peer review of manuscripts is essential;
  • Experience in managing a portfolio of products in scholarly publishing;
  • Good knowledge of the peer review process;
  • Knowledge of open access journals is desirable;
  • Experience developing and maintaining productive, friendly relationships/partnerships with external clients and stakeholders;
  • Experienced problem-solver and the ability to manage several projects simultaneously, you function well in a fast-paced environment and coordinate effectively with other team members;
  • Excellent organisational skills and time-management experience and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines are essential;
  • Experienced in prioritisation of many projects, deadlines and changing priorities to balance;
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software;
  • Customer relationship management CRM software;
  • Data base user interface and query software;
  • Proficient with Office 365 (Outlook, Word and PowerPoint), Advanced Excel skills;
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders; 
  • A creative mindset and the ability to bring energy, ideas and new approaches;
  • A strategic and commercial mindset, with experience in developing and implementing plans;
  • Ability to adapt quickly to change, juggle a varied workload under pressure and work quickly and efficiently on own initiative as well as part of a team.
 
 
To apply, please send your CV with your salary expectations to
 
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not receive feedback within 48 hours, please accept your application as unsuccessful.
 
Persona Staff CC is POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013) compliant, all personal information is protected according to legislation. By applying for any of our available vacancies, you give Persona Staff consent to process your Personal Information for Recruitment Purposes, according to the POPI ACT, 2013. If you have any concerns regarding your Personal Information and our compliance towards the legislation, you are welcome to request our POPI Act Policy.

 

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.


 

 

 

Similar jobs you might be interested in:

Journals Commissioning and Development Editor
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
Our client is seeking  a commercially aware, relationship-driven journals commissioning and development editor to help grow and strengthen our portfolio of scholarly journals.This role suits someone who understands scholarly publishing, enjoys building credibility with academic stakeholders, and can turn market insight into practical journal development actions. You will work across journal g...
2 days ago


Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
A leading engineering and manufacturing business in Cape Town is seeking a skilled Mechanical Design Engineer to join its dynamic team. This is an exciting opportunity for a driven professional who is passionate about innovative design, precision engineering, and developing high-quality mechanical solutions for specialised industrial equipment.
1 day ago


Automation Engineer
Location: Cape Town
Salary: Monthly
Our client based in the Northern Suburbs is looking for an Automation Engineer to join their team.
1 day ago


Head of Engineering (Electric)
Location: Somerset West
Salary:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Engineering (Electrical) to lead the engineering function within a fast-growing solar energy company based in Somerset West. This role is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and optimisation of solar energy systems, while leading a high-performing engineering team and ensuring technical excellence across all projects.
9 days ago


Project Planner / Scheduler
Location: Capetown
Salary: Market related based on experience with benefits
C&I Solar & BESS | EPC & Asset Owner
10 days ago


Systems Analyst
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
We are looking for a Systems Analyst to plan & execute systems analysis tasks alone and under supervision, during design, construction, integration, verification, commissioning and operations of the various radio telescopes and associated supporting systems, focussing primarily on the telescope signal chain.
21 days ago


Lead Project Engineer
Location: Cape Town
Salary: 1 200 000 Annually
Are you a senior engineering professional with extensive experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects in heavy industrial environments? If you are confident managing engineering deliverables, integrating technical inputs, and ensuring projects are delivered to schedule, budget, and quality standards, this opportunity could be ideal.
22 days ago


control systems integrator
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
Control Systems IntegratorWestern CapeNot everyone can build systems that actually work in the real world.We’re looking for a Control Systems Integrator who knows the difference between people who talk automation and people who deliver it.
22 days ago


Professional Electrical Engineer
Location: Cape Town
Salary: Annually
If you’re passionate about electrical engineering and sustainability, and you’re ready to take your career to the next level — this opportunity is for you. Apply today!A dynamic and innovative Engineering Consulting firm, is looking for the full-time expertise of a registered ECSA Electrical Engineer (Professional registration) or Electrical Engineering Technologist to join their...
23 days ago


Systems Engineer
Location: Cape Town
Salary:
We are looking for a Systems Engineer to assist our team in executing the systems engineering on projects covering design, development, construction, integration, verification and commissioning of complicated systems, elements, subsystems and associated supporting infrastructure and operational systems, both in the facilities in Cape Town and on site at Carnarvon in the Northern Cape.
30 days ago


Create a free job alert for Commissioning & Development Editor (Journals) in Capetown

Enter your email address below and we will email you similar jobs when they become available:

You can cancel at any time. We will not spam you.
By giving us your email address your agree to our Terms and Conditions

 

Jobseekers

Register your CV
Search jobs
Job alerts
CV writing
Blog

Recruiter

Advertise jobs
Search the CV database
How to Write a Job Description

General

Company a-z
Partners
About us
Disclaimer
Terms and conditions
Privacy policy
Cookie policy
POPIA manual
Unsubscribe
Site Map

© Copyright 2026 Executive Placements. All Rights Reserved.