Executive Editor
We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and ambitious publishing professional who would like to join a new team.
The Executive Editor role is part of the Science, Technology and Medical Journal (STMJ) Publishing Organisation. In total STMJ consists of approximately 660fte based from offices in the UK, USA, The Netherlands, China and India. It is responsible for publishing over 1800 journal titles (24% of the global market), with new journal launches and society contract acquisitions ensuring annual growth.
The Executive Editor will oversee the editorial work of a soon to be launched broad scope, online only OA journal.
We are looking to recruit an Executive Editor, who will work with a team of Editorial Assistants to manage the journal’s peer review process.Your main responsibility is to ensure that the peer review process is fast, accurate and within the journal’s scope at all times. You will work closely with the journal’s Publishing Director to develop the journal’s strategic plan, turning this into journal policy. In this role you will liaise closely with Editorial Board Members, reviewers and authors to develop manuscripts, ensuring that all published papers maintain a high level of technical soundness. You develop and amend journal policy as required. You act as the editorial figurehead of the journal, standing up for the scope at all times and addressing/solving complex editorial scenarios.  You will continue to foster relationships within the scientific community to establish themselves as the primary representative of the journal. As directed by the Publishing Director, you may participate in journal-wide projects.
This role will preferably be based in London, though we also welcome candidates from Oxford or Amsterdam. You will report to the journal’s Publishing Director.
Your responsibilities
Scientific and Editorial Evaluation (50%)
1. Work with the Publishing Director to launch the journal, defining and adhering to the journal’s strategic plan.
2. Over time develop a multidisciplinary outlook, a breadth of scientific and editorial expertise in a range of different fields.
3. Oversee the external editorial handling and peer review of assigned manuscripts, maintaining rapid peer review standards at all times.
4. Work with Editorial Board Members to maintain journal editorial standards and scope at all times, including overseeing and challenging final editorial decisions when required.
5. Liaise with authors to develop manuscripts to ensure scientific accuracy and readability, as well as high ethical standards.
6. Develop workflows as required to handle increased submission volume.
7. Deal with all ethical issues arising within the journal, including corrections, retractions and appeals, and resolution of editorial disputes.
8. With developed understanding of strategic direction of the journal, recruit manuscripts for publication across all fields.
9. Manage a team of Editorial Assistants, providing guidance, training and leadership.
10. Develop the guide for authors, editorial and review policies, peer review checklist and other miscellaneous editorial documents, maintaining and updating as required.
11. Providing support to Authors, Editors, Reviewers and journal editorial and publishing staff.
Scientific Community Public Relations (30%)
1. Work with a group of Senior Editors to recruit and grow the journal’s broad Editorial Board.
2. Manage the journal's Editorial Board, recruiting, training and liaising with all board members.
3. Develop and maintain an Editorial Board engagement plan.
4. Represent the Company at assigned professional meetings and lab visits.
5. Attend conferences on behalf of the journal, running board meetings and presenting talks as required.
6. Build contact lists and establish relationships, remaining current within the fields of expertise.
7. With some supervision/mentorship, contributes to journal-wide project/initiative(s).
Engagement with Elsevier Editors (10%) & Ad hoc projects (10%)
You will Engage with Elsevier Publishers and editors to ensure cross-collaboration in order to maximise the potential for attracting the right content and you will participate in projects that are run in Elsevier that require STMJ representation.
What you should bring
  • PhD degree in a STM subject
  • Proven experience writing and editing in a full time editorial role in a complex corporate environment is required
  • A high level of skill and knowledge is necessary in the following areas: science, scientific publishing, negotiation, communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Ability to easily navigate through editorial systems, databases, and Micro Office Suite programs.
  • This position requires a broad research background, preferably within the Physical Sciences.
  • The preferred candidate should have an extensive network of contacts, domestically and internationally. 
  • Previous supervisory experience is a plus.Apply now