Publishing Development Specialist - Evergreen

Frontiers; Madrid; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing days

Volunteering days (up to 3)

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning & development support

Job summary

Frontiers is seeking a proactive Publishing Development professional to help open-access journals grow through strategic outreach and editor collaborations. You will build and manage relationships with researchers, editors, and authors worldwide, driving pipeline opportunities from initial contact to publication.

The role emphasizes AI-enabled prospecting, multi-project prioritization, and a strong client‑facing mindset in a fast-paced, science-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in sales, outreach, or business development with a track record of hitting targets.
• Thrives in fast-paced environments, handles multiple projects with ease.
• Strong grasp of AI-based tools in business operations; AI sales/outreach experience a plus.
• Natural communicator, persuasive and personable with fluent English for global teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, proactive and initiative-driven.
• Interest in science and openness to learn; familiarity with academic publishing is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Reach out directly to researchers and editors to spark collaborations and recruit into Editorial Board.
• Manage a dynamic sales pipeline from first contact to publication.
• Utilize AI tools daily to research prospects, personalize outreach, and manage the pipeline.
• Cultivate trust and build long-term relationships with editors and authors.
• Represent journals at conferences, webinars, and online events to grow market footprint.

Skills

Sales experience

Outreach / BD

AI in business ops

Excellent communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Who We Are

At Frontiers, we are on a mission to make science open. Most research today sits behind paywalls, meaning only people at well‑funded universities or those who can pay get to read it.

Who We Are

At Frontiers, we are on a mission to make science open. Most research today sits behind paywalls, meaning only people at well‑funded universities or those who can pay get to read it. Open access flips that: every article we publish is peer‑reviewed and made available online to anyone, anywhere at no cost. As one of the world’s largest and most influential open‑access publishers, we’ve seen Frontiers research cited 16 million times, and viewed and downloaded more than 5.3 billion times, proof of what science without barriers can do.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will join our Publishing Development team to help open‑access journals grow and thrive. We partner with the world’s leading researchers to build collaborative networks, launch themed article collections, and expand our journal portfolios. This is an active, relationship‑driven role focused on community‑building and strategic outreach. On a daily basis, you will:

• Reach out directly to researchers and editors to spark new collaborations, launch dedicated article collections, recruit into the Editorial Board, commission manuscripts, and liaise with Chief Editors at a journal section level.
• Manage a dynamic sales pipeline, taking opportunities from first contact through to successful publication.
• Work smart: use AI tools daily to research prospects, personalize outreach, and manage your pipeline more efficiently.
• Cultivate trust and build long‑term professional relationships with editors and authors.
• Represent our journals at scientific conferences, webinars, and online events to increase their market footprint.

Requirements

About You

• You bring solid experience in sales, outreach, or business development with a proven track record of hitting targets.
• You enjoy fast‑paced environments, handle multiple projects with ease, and know how to prioritize your day.
• You have a strong grasp of AI‑based tools in a business operations context. Experience using AI in sales or outreach workflows is a plus.
• You are a natural communicator who is persuasive, personable, and loves building professional relationships and your English is fluent, both spoken and written, as you will be communicating with global researchers and international teams every day.
• You have an entrepreneurial mindset, always looking for opportunities and taking the initiative to make things happen.
• While you don’t need to have a research background, you genuinely want to learn, are interested in science, and want to play an active role in making research open to the world. Familiarity with academic publishing or the research community is a bonus.

Benefits

• Extra wellbeing days on top of your annual leave allowance
• Up to 3 paid volunteering days each year
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme – wellbeing, mental health, legal & financial support
• Learning & development support via the Frontiers Learning Hub
• A locally relevant benefits package aligned to your country – e.g. healthcare and pension/retirement provision, where applicable – we can share more about it during our first screening
• Collaboration‑led, office‑first culture – we prioritise in‑person teamwork, with role‑appropriate adjustments when needed, in line with company policy
• International teams – a diverse, global culture and a strong peer‑learning environment.

Equal opportunity statement

Frontiers actively embraces diversity and is a safe and welcoming workplace. Recruitment is free from discrimination – including based on race, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. With employees from more than 50 different nations, our diversity creates vibrant teams and constantly challenges us to appreciate multiple perspectives.