Newsletter Editor

The Sage Group plc; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher is seeking an Executive Editor to provide strategic and editorial leadership across several high-volume journals. The successful candidate will manage a team and focus on enhancing journal impact and growth while ensuring innovative strategies align with market trends. Candidates must possess an MD or PhD, with prior journal publishing experience. This role offers a hybrid working model and a comprehensive benefits package, supporting a balanced work environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid working up to 2 days per week

Life assurance and income protection

Private medical cover

Tuition support for qualifications

Variety of snacks and beverages

Qualifications

• Must have prior journal publishing experience, preferably on Mega journals or other broad scope titles.
• Experience in delivering measurable growth or innovation in editorial strategy required.
• Track record of improving quality and financial performance essential.

Responsibilities

• Shape global editorial strategy by collaborating with teams.
• Manage a team of Scientific Editors supporting Mega journals.
• Grow journal impact by improving quality and visibility.
• Anticipate market trends to keep editorial strategy competitive.
• Lead cross-departmental projects to improve operations.
• Develop colleagues, fostering collaboration and inclusivity.

Skills

Editorial strategy development

Budget management

Team leadership

Market trend analysis

Communication

Education

MD or PhD in medical/biomedical sciences

Job description

Position Overview

Executive Editor to provide strategic, commercial and editorial leadership across four established, high-volume Gold Open Access STM journals – Science Progress, Journal of International Medical Research, SAGE Open Medicine, and SAGE Open Medical Case Reports. The role is accountable for accelerating the growth, impact and financial sustainability of these "mega" journals, translating editorial strategy into scalable submission, publication and revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape editorial strategy globally by collaborating with Scientific Editors and associated teams, driving progress and growth for our STM Mega journals portfolio.
• Manage a team of Scientific Editors and Publishing Editors that support the STM Mega journals portfolio.
• Grow journal impact and performance by improving quality, visibility, market share, and financial outcomes, including commissioning content and overseeing peer review decisions.
• Anticipate and respond to market trends, ensuring SAGE's editorial strategy remains innovative, competitive, and aligned with researcher needs.
• Act as a trusted ambassador by building strong relationships across SAGE and with external partners, representing the department positively within the wider publishing community.
• Lead cross-departmental projects that improve processes, systems, and operations, contributing to the delivery of SAGE's strategic goals.
• Support and develop colleagues by supervising others, fostering growth, collaboration, and an inclusive team culture.
• Manage budgets effectively, ensuring editorial and travel expenditure is aligned with strategic priorities and delivers value.

Qualifications

• MD or PhD in medical/biomedical sciences with prior journal publishing experience, preferably on Mega journals or other very broad scope, high volume titles.
• Experienced in shaping editorial strategy across open access Mega journals, with evidence of delivering measurable growth or innovation.
• Confident in driving journal performance through improving quality, exposure, audience reach, and economic results through commissioning and peer review decisions.
• Skilled at keeping up to date with market trends and turning insights into successful publishing initiatives that keep journals competitive and relevant.
• A natural collaborator and ambassador, able to build strong relationships and represent positively in the wider industry.
• Proactive in leading cross departmental projects, improving processes and systems to support strategic goals.
• Committed to developing others, with experience supervising and/or mentoring editorial colleagues to build inclusive, high performing teams.
• Financially astute, with a track record of managing budgets and aligning expenditure with strategic priorities.
• An excellent communicator, confident in influencing, presenting, and engaging with diverse participants across the publishing community.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.
• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office and a home working allowance.
• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.
• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.
• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.
• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.
• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.
• Access to company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

Disability Confident Employer

We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you would like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application. We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you would like to request reasonable adjustments, please email [e-mail]. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Location

London or Edinburgh (requires studio access)