Senior Director, Editorial (CSP)

Morgan Healey Ltd; Canada; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent publisher is seeking a Senior Director, Editorial to guide editorial strategies and expand their journal portfolio. This role, based in Canada, requires a proven track record in scholarly publishing, strong leadership, and the ability to manage diverse teams. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in editorial growth strategies and a deep understanding of the scholarly publishing landscape.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of trends in scholarly science publishing.
• Proven track record in journal acquisitions and editorial strategy.
• Management experience in remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of editorial strategies and action plans.
• Expand the journal portfolio with new opportunities.
• Oversee research integrity and publishing ethics programs.

Skills

Understanding of scholarly science publishing

Leadership skills

Financial judgement

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Network in scientific publishing

Job description

Morgan Healey Retained Assignment

Location: Canada (Remote-based in Canada)

Salary: Excellent, On Application

As Canada’s largest independent, not-for-profit publisher of scientific journals, CSP are dedicated to mobilising research that drives discovery and innovation.

With roots dating back to 1929, CSP publishes 22 international journals across the natural and physical sciences and engineering. CSP champions open science, equity, diversity, and sustainability. Through strong partnerships and a commitment to excellence, they empower the scientific community to share knowledge that shapes a better future.

The Opportunity

The Senior Director, Editorial, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the organization by seeking opportunities for content growth via new partnerships, acquisitions, developing the current portfolio of journals, and launching new journals. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this role is a key member of the senior management team and is responsible for communicating editorial issues and updates to Canadian Science Publishing’s Board of Directors.

This position leads and supports the editorial (content acquisition), peer review, and research integrity teams comprised of five directors who manage teams of journal development specialists, editorial outreach specialists, peer review managers, and peer review coordinators. They engage and motivate the volunteer journal editorial teams, working closely with the volunteer Executive Editor-in-Chief.

The Senior Director, Editorial represents CSP to all stakeholders as a research publishing expert. They lead editorial innovation to ensure the future financial sustainability of the journal portfolio, effective content commissioning, efficient peer review, publishing ethics, and editor engagement by establishing appropriate editorial policies and best practices. They build and maintain a strong network of contacts at universities, societies, and other organisations affiliated with the journals.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of editorial strategies and action plans
• Identifying, developing, and implementing opportunities to expand the journal portfolio
• Ensuring an effective engagement program for voluntary journal Editors-in-Chief and their teams
• Overseeing the research integrity and publishing ethics program
• Ensuring efficient, timely peer review processes
• Developing policies, practices, and guidelines to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within CSP journals and the editorial team
• Building and maintaining partnerships and networks within the scientific community
• Managing a team of direct and indirect reports, providing guidance, leadership, and performance management feedback
• Championing CSP’s vision, mission and values, leading by example
• Setting and maintaining the annual editorial budget
• Involvement in publishing industry developments, maintaining a keen understanding of market trends, publishing innovations, and evolving customer needs; assessing and reporting on the potential implications for CSP; and implementing policy changes as needed.

Skills & Experience

• A deep understanding of scholarly science publishing in Canada and internationally, and of current trends and best practices
• A proven track record of journal acquisitions, launching or relaunching journals and implementing a successful editorial growth strategy
• Astute financial judgement and business management abilities
• Well-developed leadership skills acquired through experience in a leadership position in the scientific scholarly publishing industry, including management of remote teams
• Strategic and critical thinking, which are used to identify and act on opportunities as well at to develop and implement innovative solutions
• Highly developed and persuasive communication skills with the ability to establish, develop, relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Professional visibility and networks within the scientific publishing community
• Someone who resides in Canada with a permanent right to work in the country.