Managing Editor - Peer Review Team

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in academic publishing seeks a Freelance Managing Editor for a two-month project, focusing on system migration. The role requires strong expertise in peer review platforms, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills, aiming to ensure a smooth transition for the global publisher's journal management.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunity for flexible hours

Engage with a diverse and global team

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the academic publishing industry.
• Detailed knowledge of peer review systems.
• Experience with system migrations is highly beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Complete pre-alignment assessments for migration to a new system.
• Review criteria for migration and manage risks.
• Ensure migration and post-migration phases are well-managed.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Change Management

Education

Experience in Academic Publishing

Tools

ScholarOne

Job description

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Client:

PA EDitorial Ltd

Location:

london, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

8

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

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Job Description:

Job title: Managing Editor (Freelance)

Fixed term: 2 months (Potential for Extension)

Timezone: UK and Europe

About Us:

PA EDitorial is a vibrant, supportive, and dynamic company dedicated to the academic publishing industry. We celebrate the skills and contributions of individuals from all over the world, fostering an environment that supports, engages, and enables our team to excel. At PA EDitorial, we appreciate the complexities of balancing professional and family life, and we strive to create a work culture that values innovation, technology, and research.

Role Overview:

The managing editor role involves working on an exciting and high-profile project to support a leading global publisher with the migration of journals from their current editorial management submission systems (most prominently ScholarOne)to their bespoke submission and review platform.

The managing editor will be working alongside a team of other managing editors and will have regular check-ins with the project lead, providing ongoing opportunities for feedback and to ask questions.

Key Responsibilities:

• On behalf of the peer review team, complete pre-alignment assessments on the existing submission system, to ensure the workflow is correctly documented for the upcoming migration to the new system, and take forward conversations with external stakeholders (Editors, Editorial Team etc.) and internal stakeholders (Site Builders, Migration Analysts etc.) to help facilitate a smooth migration.
• Once alignment assessments and strategies are complete, review the criteria for migration, assess any risks, issues or blockers, whilst keeping the publisher’s key tracking systems up to date.
• Complete final alignments in the system before the live migration date.
• Ensure that the migration period and post-migration hypercare phases are appropriately managed, focusing on close liaison with external and internal stakeholders.

We are currently seeking applications for four full-time members of staff (35 hours per week). Detailed knowledge and experience of using ScholarOne and/or similar peer review platforms for peer review management is essential (and training will be provided on the publisher-specific system). Please note that this is a freelance role and will require working Mon-Fri (flexible hours are negotiable).

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in the academic publishing industry.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of using peer review systems for peer review management (training would be provided on the publisher-specific system).
• Ability to think strategically and implement effective solutions that take into consideration a range of stakeholder perspectives and needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with change management (experience working with system migrations will be highly beneficial).

Why Join Us:

• Be part of a team that shares your passion for academia, research, publishing, innovation, and technology.
• Work in a supportive and dynamic environment that listens to ideas and develops skills.
• Engage with a diverse and global team.
• Enjoy a culture that values family life and work-life balance.

How to Apply:

If you have an organised and inquisitive mind, are passionate about academia and publishing, and want to be part of a supportive and innovative team, we would love to hear from you. Complete the following form, https://forms.gle/wqxGDHriT9HC2rgL7 to register your interest and send your CV and a cover letter, explaining your reasons for applying to [emailprotected] or explore our job listings for more opportunities.