Senior Publisher, BMC Academic Journals

Job Title: Senior Publisher, BMC Academic Journals

Location: New York, Shanghai or Beijing (Hybrid working model)

Application Deadline: August 22, 2025

About 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 follow @SpringerNature

About the Brand

BMC has more than 20 years of experience in developing open access and provides high-quality, impactful research and a supportive publishing experience for authors. We are committed to publishing the best open access journals in our portfolio of over 250 titles and we strive to drive progress in biology, health sciences and medicine. Visit biomedcentral.com and follow @BioMedCentral

About the Role

The BMC Academic Journals group aims to support researchers 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.

We are seeking a Senior Publisher to manage a portfolio of open access proprietary applied life sciences and/or biotechnology journals in our division. Reporting to an Executive Publisher, you will be responsible for the management, strategic development, and success of the individual journals, liaising with internal staff, external journal Editors, and the scientific community. 

Responsibilities: 

• Drive the growth and development of a group of open access journals as part of a strategically defined overall portfolio within the Journals group, successfully devising and implementing annual journal development plans

• Develop journals to deliver a best-in-class author experience and foster maximum engagement from Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) and Editorial Board Members (EBMs)

• 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

• Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, EBMs and readers (e.g. authorship, scope, ethics and consent, misconduct, policies)

• Manage the complexities of contract negotiations with external parties (e.g., external Editors, Societies) by using/developing a working knowledge of financial profit & loss statements and forecasting

• 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 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

• Review new journal and commercial opportunities in consultation with the Senior Management and contribute to journal proposals.

• Take part in cross-departmental projects and/or company-wide task forces and working groups

• When needed, attend external meetings (in-person or virtual) to build close working relationships with external EiCs, EBMs, society partners, and the wider research community

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

• Educated to Bachelor’s degree level or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field of study (life, biomedical or health sciences)

• Previous experience in academic publishing –journals and books experience considered (journals experience is needed for the Senior Publisher role)

• Be resourceful and proactive in dealing with problems and queries, taking a positive and proactive approach to problem solving, taking ownership to drive and complete tasks

• Gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from diverse sources to support data-driven decision-making and strategic planning

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and influencing skills

• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues at all levels and as part of a team

• Ability to work on your own initiative and independently within a hybrid team

• 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

• Experience of developing and maintaining productive and friendly relations/partnerships with academic and industry-based researchers, using diplomacy and assertiveness as appropriate

• IT systems-literate, with a sharp eye for detail

• Ability to travel occasionally