Publisher or Senior Publisher

We are seeking a Publisher/Senior Publisher to manage a portfolio of proprietary and society open access journals under the npjs brand, specifically in Environment & Social Sciences. The role involves strategic development, managing relationships with partner societies and editors, driving journal growth, monitoring KPIs, and resolving publication issues. The successful candidate will also attend external meetings to build community relationships and contribute to new journal proposals.

Must Have

• Manage a portfolio of proprietary and society open access journals (npjs brand).
• Drive the growth and development of open access journals.
• Manage relationships with partner societies, including contract negotiations.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal colleagues.
• Understand and manage annual targets for journal submission, publication, and turnaround times.
• Ensure KPIs are regularly monitored, reported, and met.
• Manage annual Journal Development/Improvement Plans.
• Resolve pre- and post-publication issues.
• Attend external meetings to build relationships with the scientific community.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Previous experience in academic publishing.

About the Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature.

About Us

Nature Portfolio’s high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences help move science and society forward.

Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international weekly journal of science, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.

Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with content, including news and comment from the Nature journal, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. As part of Springer Nature, Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @NaturePortfolio.

About the role

We are seeking an Publisher/Senior Publisher to manage a portfolio of proprietary and society open access journals published under the npjs brand. The npjs are fully open-access Nature Portfolio academic journals that together span a wide range of research, from fundamental physics to clinical research to engineering. Each npj is targeted to a specific scientific community and is launched and run in collaboration with preeminent scientists. Reporting to an Executive Publisher you will be responsible for the management, strategic development and success of the individual journals in Environment & Social Sciences, liaising with internal staff, external journal editors, and the scientific community.

Responsibilities:

• Develop journals to deliver a best-in-class author experience and foster maximum engagement from the Societies, Editors-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members (EBMs) on whom we rely.
• Drive the growth and development of a group of open access 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 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, Editorial Board Members (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:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field of study
• Previous experience in academic publishing
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• 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 global (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
• Demonstrate diplomacy and assertiveness
• Be resourceful and proactive in dealing with problems and queries
• Active, supportive team player
• Ability to travel on a frequent basis

Why work here?

We are an ambitious and dynamic organisation, and home to some of the best-known names in research, educational and professional publishing.

Working at the heart of a changing industry, we are always looking for great people who care about delivering quality to our customers and the communities we work alongside. In return, you will find that we open the doors to discovery for all our employees – offering opportunities to learn from some of the best in the business, with a culture that encourages curiosity and empowers people to find solutions and act on their instincts. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or are an experienced professional, we invite you to find out more about the roles we offer and explore our current vacancies.

About Us

We are a global and progressive business, founded on a heritage of trusted and respected brands – including Springer, founded in 1842, Macmillan, founded in 1843 and Nature, first published in 1869.

Nearly two centuries of progress and advancement in science and education have helped shape the business we are today. Research and learning continues to be the cornerstone of progress, and we will continue to open doors to discovery through trusted brands and innovative products and services. Springer Nature Group was created in May 2015 through the combination of Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Education and Springer Science+Business Media.