Commissioning & Development Editor (Journals)

 

Recruiter:

Persona Staff

Job Ref:

CPT003191/IP

Date posted:

Friday, November 25, 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.


 

 

 

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