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 Req