Description:
We are excited to offer an opening to join Springer Nature as a Publisher or Senior Publisher!
In this role, you would be responsible for a defined list of journals and will work as part of the team to grow the portfolio through strategic journal development and acquisitions. To develop the portfolio, you will enjoy being proactive, creative, and data-driven to devise and implement journal development plans. As the primary publishing contact for your journals, you will work alongside leading academics and policymakers, meaning excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships are key to ensuring the smooth running and success of the journal portfolio. Working with colleagues across the business you will gain exposure to all aspects of the global academic journal publishing industry.
Role responsibilities:
- Develop journals to deliver a best-in-class author experience and foster maximum engagement from the Societies, Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) and Editorial Board Members (EBMs) on whom we rely.
- Drive the growth and development of a group of journals as part of a strategically defined overall portfolio within the Journals group.
- Manage the complexities of the relationships with partner societies, including contract negotiations.
- Develop strong working relationships with colleagues in production, IT and other departments to ensure that any problems encountered with your journal, and particularly by authors, editors and peer reviewers, can be swiftly and effectively resolved.
- Understand and manage the annual targets for journal submission, publication and transfer volumes as well as target turnaround times.
- Ensure that all key performance indicators (KPIs) are regularly monitored, reported and met, and that action is taken as needed.
- Manage annual journal development/improvement plans and oversee their implementation and successful conclusion.
- Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, EBMs and readers (e.g. authorship, scope, ethics and consent, misconduct, policies).
- Attend external meetings (in-person or virtual) to build close working relationships with external EiCs, EBMs, society partners, and the wider research community.
- Understand the trends and changes in the communities you serve to ensure that Springer Nature can respond appropriately.
- Develop and maintain relationships with a network of researchers.
- Be aware of changes within the research community and publishing industry, and translate these into proposals for successful (new) products and services.
- Take part in cross-departmental projects and/or company-wide task forces and working groups.
- Review new journal and commercial opportunities in consultation with the Senior Management and contribute to journal proposals.
- Represent the team in projects with Production, Sales, Marketing, Finance and other Editorial colleagues.
Experience, skills and qualifications:
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field of study (life or biomedical sciences)
- Previous experience in academic publishing and journal development
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French or Arabic is a plus
- IT systems-literate, with a sharp eye for detail
- Positive and proactive approach to problem solving, taking ownership to drive and complete tasks
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues at all levels and as part of a team
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Ability to work on your own initiative and independently within a (virtual) team environment
- Experience of developing and maintaining productive and friendly relations/partnerships with academic and industry-based researchers
- Strong time management and organisational skills; including proven ability to take ownership to drive and complete tasks, to consistently meet deadlines, and to adapt quickly to change
- Ability to demonstrate diplomacy and assertiveness
- Be resourceful and proactive in dealing with problems and queries
- Active, supportive team player
- Ability to travel occasionally