Publishing Editor

Sage Publication; London Borough of Islington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Hybrid working up to 2 days per week

Life assurance

Income protection

Private medical cover

Tuition scheme and professional quals

Snacks and beverages

Lifestyle reimbursement and anniversay

Company loans (season ticket loan, etc

Job summary

Sage Pub seeks a Publishing Editor to lead a dynamic portfolio of journals within the Hybrid & Open Access Journals Editorial team, shaping editorial strategy, quality and market impact.

You will monitor financial performance, guide editors and partner societies, analyze data, lead board meetings, negotiate contracts, coordinate cross‑department activities, and drive ethical publishing standards.

Qualifications

• Experience managing academic or scientific journals with a track record of improving editorial performance.
• Ability to oversee the full journal publishing lifecycle from submission to distribution.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to influence, negotiate and represent your organisation at events.
• Strategic thinker with ability to analyse financial performance and manage costs.
• Relationship-builder with editors, societies and internal teams to drive journal success.
• Ability to handle ethical and legal publishing challenges with integrity.

Responsibilities

• Monitor financial performance of journals and maximise revenues while controlling costs.
• Advise editors and partner societies to improve content quality.
• Analyze data and metrics to guide journal development strategy.
• Lead editorial board meetings and represent Sage at conferences.
• Negotiate editor and society contracts through to signature.
• Coordinate across departments for production, marketing and distribution within costs.
• Manage editor performance and establish best practices for submission, peer review, and revisions.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Journal publishing lifecycle

Negotiation & contracts

Financial analysis

Stakeholder relationship management

Ethical publishing

Job description

Publishing Editor – Perm - £49,520

Join us and be part of a mission-driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

About Sage:

Sageis a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely.

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

About our Team:

The Hybrid & Open Access Journals Editorial team is a vibrant and dynamic team of highly motivated individuals who are passionate about research and publishing. We are responsible for developing and growing a diverse portfolio of high-quality, valuable journals across the social sciences, STEM fields, and various business models to adapt to a changing market. Our collaborative efforts with external editors, society partners, and internal colleagues in editorial, marketing, and product innovation roles ensure the growth, success, and long-term sustainability of our program. Our friendly and welcoming team is dedicated to driving excellence and fostering a supportive environment.

Could you be our new Publishing Editor? Are you?

• Experienced in managing academic or scientific journals with a record of improving editorial performance and journal impact?

• Confident in navigating the full journal publishing lifecycle, from submission and peer review to production and distribution?

• Skilled in written and verbal communication, able to influence, negotiate and represent your organisation at industry events?

• A strategic thinker, capable of analysing financial performance, increasing revenue, and being responsible for costs?

• A relationship-builder, known for encouraging positive relationships with editors, societies, and internal teams to drive journal success?

• Equipped to handle ethical and legal publishing challenges, ensuring compliance and integrity across all editorial activities?

Your new role:

You’ll be at the heart of shaping the future of academic research by leading a dynamic portfolio of journals - enhancing their quality, visibility, and market impact while driving financial performance. You’ll build trusted relationships with editorial boards and publishing partners, offering guidance and service that empowers them to thrive.

• Monitor the financial performance of journals in the assigned portfolio, maximising revenues and controlling costs.

• Provide information and advice to journal editors and partner societies to help them improve the quality of content published across journals.

• Compile and assess key data and metrics, using this data to advise recommendations on each journal’s development strategy.

• Lead journal editorial board meetings and represent Sage at conferences, where appropriate.

• Successfully negotiate editor and society contract renewals, prepare draft contracts and lead contract approval process through to contract signature.

• Coordinate cross departmentally so that journals are produced, marketed and distributed in an appropriate way and within acceptable costs.

• Actively manage journal editor performance, establishing and implementing best practice regarding manuscript submission, peer review process, revision and resubmission policies, and optimal editorial board function.

Overview of 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).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d 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’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email [e-mail]. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: Monday 16th November.

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to sustaining a culture that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity, and builds a deep sense of belonging. We encourage applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief as crafting value through diversity is what makes us strong.