Managing Editor, American Journal of Sociology

Department
 

Press Journals AJS

About the Department
 

Since its origins in 1890 as one of the three main divisions of the University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Press has embraced as its mission the obligation to disseminate scholarship of the highest standard and to publish serious works that promote education, foster public understanding, and enrich cultural life. Through our books and journals, we seek not only to advance scholarly conversation within and across traditional disciplines but, in keeping with the University of Chicago's experimental tradition, to help define new areas of knowledge and intellectual endeavor.

Job Summary
 

The Managing Editor has responsibility for the operation of the academic journal office of the American Journal of Sociology. Responsible for managing the peer review process according to journal policy and scholarly publishing best practices. Develop and implement guidelines for contributors and reviewers. Responsible for the copy editing, proof checking, and final approval of most of each published issue. Liaise between editors, reviewers, authors, the scholarly community, and the Journals Division staff, on behalf of AJS and the University of Chicago Press (UCP). Contribute to discussions of publishing strategies and editorial initiatives for the journal in cooperation with the UCP publication managers and other UCP staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operation of the academic journal office of the American Journal of Sociology. Oversee the peer review process including developing and implementing editorial and journal policies.

• Track progress of manuscripts from submission through peer review to final decision and manage peer review pipeline. Ensure that all manuscripts are delivered on time, within page budget, and meet the standards of the University of Chicago Press. Work with production, editorial, electronic publishing, and peer-review support to troubleshoot and solve problems. Manage and track publication agreements, permissions requests, and perform other administrative management functions.

• Work hand-in-hand with Journals editorial in the copyediting of AJS major articles; edit all book reviews and deliver all for proof corrections to Production for typesetter.

• Liaise between the Press, Editors, editorial board members, authors, and reviewers. Responsibilities include daily and heavy correspondence with all stakeholders.

• Assist the academic editor in annual selection of student editors at University of Chicago Sociology Department and coordinate their financial support with Social Science Dean’s office.

• Assist with the nomination and recruitment of AJS consulting editors from US and international institutions.

• Liaise with Social Science Division Business Office to administer AJS’s three business accounts.

• Prepare monthly and annual reports of journal-wide statistics as needed.

• Represent the journal and the Press at academic meetings as needed, including planning and managing AJS national editors’ luncheon as part of or in parallel with annual sociology society meetings.

• Supervise AJS staff (two full-time editorial associates) responsible for Editorial Manager data entry and correspondence for manuscripts and for book review.

• Works directly with writers, editors, and others involved in projects. Ensures the quality of editorial work of others and advises them on the prioritization of assignments. Guides the staff in setting procedures and editing styles and in resolving any other issues that may arise.

• Uses best practices and knowledge to write, update, and revise style notes for each assigned journal.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Master's degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in scholarly journal publishing.

• Experience with peer review, publishing ethics, and scholarly communication.

• Extensive experience in copy editing scholarly material.

• Extensive experience with Chicago Manual of Style.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Knowledge of Adob