Associate Managing Editor, Vendor Services

Job Description Summary:

The Associate Managing Editor, Vendor Services is a senior-level staff member responsible for managing editorial operations performance, contracts, and relationships. The position has oversight of the submission and peer review operations support services provided by contracted vendors and may assist with the management of the editorial systems involved in the peer review of PNAS and PNAS Nexus content. This position may supervise editorial operations staff. Incumbent proceeds on own initiative in compliance with policies, procedures, and practices but receives guidance or expertise from supervisor or higher-level staff when needed. Proven leadership skills and understanding of scientific peer review procedures is required. Reports to the Senior Managing Editor.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Oversee timely and proper processing of tasks assigned to contracted vendors.

• Develop, establish, and enforce appropriate service level agreements with editorial operations vendors.

• Draft statements of work for editorial operations contract vendors and assist with contract negotiations, as needed.

• Understands threats to peer review and complex system workflows in order to research and recommend new tools and features to enhance rigor of peer review and editorial systems user experience for both internal and external clients.

• Supports and informs process and workflow decisions for editorial managers; guides decisions through reliance on technical and systems expertise.

• Assign work to senior editorial coordinators, editorial coordinators, and assistants.

• Supervise editorial support staff including team meetings and staff performance reviews.

• Advise staff and vendors regarding interpretation of editorial decisions and dealing with manuscripts stalled in the review or production process.

• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of peer review, including:

  • Handling appeals of rejected manuscripts, escalating to AEs and EIC as needed

  • Tracking review metrics including time to first decision, time to rejection without review, and frequency of appeals

  • Monitor the transmittal process of accepted manuscripts to production

  • Answer non-routine editorial questions, troubleshoot problems, and escalate to manager as appropriate

  • Serve as the office contact for problem papers and disgruntled authors and reviewers

• Participate in internal and external meetings to discuss and coordinate editorial operations services.

• Identify potential improvements to the online submission system and assists in design, testing, and implementation of new features

• Serve as backup to the managing editor

• Occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site locations

• Other tasks and special projects as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Subject Matter Expertise: In-depth knowledge of scholarly peer review systems, workflows, and best practices. Ability to solve varied and complex problems using originality and ingenuity. Experience with eJournalPress preferred.

• Planning and Executing Work: Highly organized with proven process and project management skills and able to plan and oversee multiple priorities simultaneously, using appropriate tools to organize, collaborate, and report. Able to work successfully in a team environment and navigate competing priorities to execute on all assigned tasks.

• Relationship Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to interact effectively with all levels of stakeholders. Dedicated to team building management style and experienced overseeing work of individual contributors and vendors.

• Knowledge of National Academies’ intellectual property practices and copyright issues. 

• Ability to solve problems of substantial variety and complexity.  

• Ability to supervise and mentor staff.  

• Project management skills including planning, budgeting, delegating tasks to freelancers, monitoring individual project-related tasks being performed by colleagues in other departments, and successfully completing projects according to established parameters of budget, schedule, and physical specifications.  

• Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication.  Excellent written and verbal skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:  Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience:  Four years of related professional experience, with at least two were in a supervisory capacity

Physical Capabilities:  Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:  None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:  Reports to Director/Editor.  General direction is provided.  Supervises assigned staff.

Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $70,880 - $88,600. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Work Environment: This role has been approved for 100% remote status, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations. Please note that The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is not an approved employer in all states, as such any remote work arrangement will need pre-approval.

The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:

We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.

We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.  

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

PUBL

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Remote, Virginia Apply