Reports to: Publishing Director, Discover Journals
Discover Journals aim to support researchers across all fields of science in communicating and advancing discovery for a better world. We do this by providing a trusted environment in which researchers can quickly, easily and transparently share their discoveries, data and research stories in journals with an inclusive editorial threshold.
We are seeking an Executive Publisher on our Discover journals to lead a dedicated publishing team in the launch and development of new titles in an assigned subject area. You will ensure your team of editors and team leads are focused on the timely launch and development of journals, the integrity of our publication process, speed of review, and excellent author service. Reporting to the Publishing Director, you will also play a key role in the leadership and development of a growing team and portfolio.
You’ll enjoy maximizing the efficiency and growth of the portfolio, building new business through identifying new and changing subject areas for new launches, and championing the needs of the portfolio, Associate Editors and team leaders on your team, and the communities you serve. Using your leadership and influencing skills you will coach and manage the portfolio team to achieve business goals. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a high growth environment with lots of opportunity to make a real difference.
Specific responsibilities of the Executive Publisher include:
- Take overall responsibility for the timely launch and development of new Discover Journals in your assigned subject areas, working with the Discover team and wider stakeholders to implement plans and align with the wider business strategy
- Maximize the growth and efficiency of your journals across a wide range of disciplines within your assigned subject area; in collaboration with internal stakeholders, ensure efficient workflows, speed of service, and research integrity are equally and optimally maintained across your portfolio at all times
- In cooperation with other Executive Publishers and the Publishing Director, develop and foster a collaborative and engaging working culture that reinforces team spirit while ensuring individual team members are accountable for performance and targets
- In cooperation with the Publishing Director, monitor performance to ensure targets are met, taking corrective action where necessary. Monitor KPI and financial performance of journals in the portfolio through regular reporting and forecasting
- Drive and monitor team performance against the journal development plans
- Monitor and evolve, as needed, the relationships with other departments to ensure that functional tasks, such as collections, board recruitment, editorial workflows, technology, marketing, production, and finance, are undertaken correctly and efficiently
- Contribute to the overall strategy and development of the Discover portfolio, developingand implementing the strategic goals, ensuring that these are in line with broader goals ofSpringer Nature as a whole
- Understand business opportunities and requirements in the key global regions in whichSpringer Nature operate (including competitors in the region and growth trends)
- Provide line management, coaching and support to a group of Team Managers andAssociate Editors, while demonstrating leadership and influence across the team andthroughout the business, as relevant
- Communicate regularly with the Team Managers and Associate Editors to review progressagainst objectives and carry out annual performance and development reviews
- With support from the Publishing Director, take proactive ownership of needs arising fromyour teams’ journals resulting from community feedback, research integrity cases,customer service, and other reactive.
Experience, skills and qualifications
- Strong demonstrable experience in STM publishing.
- Strong team management and leadership experience.
- Educated to Master's Degree (or equivalent), in a relevant field, or a combination of advanced degree and editorial experience.
- Strong understanding of the open access market.
- Excellent communication skills, including oral and written presentation skills.
- Customer-focused.
- Strong prioritization and time management skills.
- Strong financial skills, including experience with budgeting and P&L oversight.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Enthusiastic and committed.
