Publisher or Senior Publisher, Humanities Journals

Job Title: Publisher or Senior Publisher, Humanities Journals
Location(s): New York or Philadelphia – Hybrid working

About Springer Nature Group
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About the Role

We are seeking a Publisher/Senior Publisher for the General Humanities journal program. This role reports to the Executive Publisher leading the Humanities & Law team and is part of the wider publishing department: Education, Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences + Humanities.  

The Publisher/Senior Publisher is the primary publishing contact for their journals and takes responsibility for growing and developing a portfolio of 29 journals in the following areas: Philosophy, Religious Studies and History.

To develop the portfolio, you’ll enjoy being proactive, creative and data-driven to devise and implement journal development plans. As the primary publishing contact for your journals, you’ll work alongside leading academics in their capacity as Editor, Editorial Board Member, Author or Reviewer for the journal. In addition, you are expected to foster and establish new relationships with academic societies, and with colleagues from across the business. This means excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships are key to ensure the smooth running and success of the journal portfolio.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with Editors-in-Chief, Society contacts, Editorial Board members and other academic stakeholders, acting as their key point of contact for publishing matters. This includes organizing and hosting Editorial Board meetings online and in person with the goal of increasing the journal visibility, impact and reputation within the field.

• Build knowledge of the field and the relevant scientific communities through data analysis, your contacts in the field and your intuition. Translate this knowledge in journal prioritization, publication opportunities for your portfolio and long-term strategy development for Humanities and the wider publishing team.

• Support the management of the journals: handle contract renewals or recruit new Editors-in-Chief, as necessary; appoint editorial boards in cooperation with the Editor in Chief and be the primary contact for incidental queries from Editors, Authors and Reviewers.

• Ensure global representation and diversity of Editors in Chief and Editorial Boards in your portfolio.

• Plan and drive the commissioning of content including pro-actively suggesting topics to journal editors where necessary.

• Develop and maintain excellent relationships within the immediate team and other internal departments to be able to answer any publishing question in line with company policy and with expertise and authority.

• Optimize manuscript flow of portfolio: monitor peer-review and production performance for the portfolio; built excellent relations with internal departments: Journal Editorial Office and Production to pre-empt or find solutions for delays. Convince Editors to implement solutions that are in line with company policy.

• Ensure correct filing of documents and correct data entry into relevant systems and databases in cooperation with assistant publisher. Monitor contract renewal dates, correct honoraria payments, and ensure that all journal information (e.g. on website and marketing material) is kept up to date.

• Represent the company at scientific conferences when required to improve market knowledge, to network within the community, receive feedback on the journals and to promote Springer Nature journals, and open access.

Responsibilities for Senior Publisher include:

• Be familiar with developments in Open Access, Academic Publishing and Publication Ethics. Advise on queries, seek cooperation with inhouse expertise centers, contribute to long term development in these areas.

• Provide line-management, coaching