Publishing Executive

BMJ; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

BMJ Group is seeking a Publishing Executive to support a portfolio of specialist medical journals. The role involves editorial support, stakeholder liaison, and data-informed decision making across production, ethics, and online development.

The position offers flexible working arrangements and opportunities to progress toward journal management with the Senior Publisher’s guidance. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar role within academic journals or scholarly publishing.
• Proficiency in the use of standard software and design tools (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite, WordPress, Canva, social media platforms)
• Ability to research information using common journal databases (e.g. Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, Dimensions, PubMed)
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication and presentation skills (remote and in-person)
• Self-motivated and results-focused
• Comfortable with working as part of a remote/hybrid international team
• Understanding of current publishing hot topics such as open access and AI
• Experience assessing plagiarism reports and investigating ethical issues
• Experience handling invoices and financial data

Responsibilities

• Provide editorial support by communicating with external editors and teams, monitoring performance, and preparing reports.
• Review plagiarism reports and liaise with editors/teams on ethical issues.
• Prepare agendas and minutes for editorial/management meetings and present publishing reports.
• Oversee online development of journals and coordinate multimedia content releases.
• Assist with payments data, supplier/invoice processing, and budget tracking.
• Develop journal strategy with stakeholders and research new business opportunities.
• Oversee publication of journal supplements, abstracts, and launches.
• Maintain records and coordinate with production, marketing, finance, and other departments.

Skills

Academic journals experience

Software proficiency

Research using journal databases

Prioritising workload

Attention to detail

Communication & presentation

Self-motivated

Remote/hybrid international teamwork

Open access & AI knowledge

Plagiarism/ethics investigations

Invoicing & financial data handling

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

WordPress

Canva

Social media platforms

Job description

BMJ Group has an exciting opportunity for a Publishing Executive to provide support across a portfolio of specialist medical journals. This is a varied and busy role that requires an excellent communication, organisational and multitasking skill set.

You will support the wider publishing team (primarily the Senior Publisher and Head of Portfolio) in carrying out a wide range of duties including: working with external editorial and internal publishing teams to implement the strategic development of existing and planned journals; managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including editors and society partners) to support the achievement of editorial and financial targets; and research and data collection to aid journal development and new product launches across the portfolio.

Depending on the candidate’s level of experience, there may be the opportunity to progress towards taking responsibility for the management of one or more journals, with the support of the Senior Publisher.

Key responsibilities

• Editorial support: Regularly communicate with external journal editors and editorial teams, providing support and advice. Monitor performance, troubleshoot editorial issues, and suggest improvements to workflows. Compile reports on journals and their competitors, including editorial data, citation analyses, production metrics, and usage data. Prepare and send regular updates to external editorial teams.
• Publication ethics: Review plagiarism reports for submitted manuscripts and escalate to external editors and other team members as necessary. Liaise with the research integrity team to resolve ethical queries relating to submitted or published content.
• Meeting management: Oversee the preparation of editorial and management committee meetings, including preparing the agenda and associated documents. Present publishing reports at meetings with external stakeholders. Attend and minute meetings as required, including deputising for the Senior Publisher when required. Ensure actions are completed in a timely manner. Represent BMJ Group at external meetings and events when necessary.
• Online development: Review journal websites to ensure that these are fresh and accurate, directing colleagues to make necessary updates. Coordinate with editorial teams and in-house staff to oversee the production and release of multimedia content according to agreed schedules. Assist editors to define and implement a social media strategy. Provide reports and data on the impact of digital activity.
• Finance administration: Provide data to inform editorial team payments. Ensure that supplier invoices and contributor payments are processed to agreed payment schedules. Keep payment files up to date and handle confidential information in line with regulations. Ensure all payments relating to meetings are accounted for within agreed budgets. Assist the Senior Publisher with monthly accruals, finance tracking and budget setting.
• Journal development and strategy: Work with the Senior Publisher and internal and external stakeholders to implement strategic objectives for individual journals and across specialty areas. Develop and provide reports to reflect the individual needs of the journals and stakeholders. Assist Senior Publisher and Head of Portfolio on researching new business opportunities.
• Project management: Oversee the publication of journal supplements, abstract books and topic collections, and other ad hoc projects as they arise. Support the Senior Publisher and other colleagues in project managing new launches and journal transitions in and out of BMJ Group, as required.
• General: Maintain accurate records for editorial board members and gratis lists. Liaise with other internal departments (e.g. production, marketing, customer services, finance) to resolve queries and achieve journal objectives. Troubleshoot problems and suggest ways to improve the efficiency of routine tasks. Delegate to and oversee the completion of tasks by junior members of the publishing team. Contribute to wider company objectives by participating in cross-departmental projects.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a similar role within academic journals or scholarly publishing
• Proficiency in the use of standard software and design tools (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite, WordPress, Canva, social media platforms)
• Ability to research information using common journal databases (e.g. Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports, Dimensions, PubMed)
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication and presentation skills (remote and in-person)
• Self-motivated and results-focused
• Comfortable with working as part of a remote/hybrid international team
• Understanding of current publishing hot topics such as open access and AI
• Experience assessing plagiarism reports and investigating ethical issues
• Experience handling invoices and financial data

Why work for us

Help us create a healthier world. We are a global healthcare knowledge provider. We publish The BMJ, one of the world’s most impactful medical journals and over 70 influential speciality journals. We offer digital tools to help health professionals worldwide tackle critical healthcare challenges. Find out more about us here.

Flexible Work and Workplace Perks

• We’re committed to flexible working that supports both your needs and the requirements of the role.
• Generous double-matching employer pension contribution, up to 12%
• Discounted dental and travel insurance
• Seven x salary life assurance cover and a generous income protection package
• Discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work and season ticket loan
• Discounts for retail and leisure products through yourReward

Work-life balance and wellbeing

• Twenty-five days holiday + bank holidays + a BMJ Day off.
• Additional holiday through long service; buy up to 5 additional days
• Leave for moving house, volunteering or getting married
• Concierge service Seniorcare by Lottie

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are not buzzwords to us, but fundamental company priorities
• We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique strengths and insights, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive positive change in our industry.
• If you are from an under-represented or historically marginalised community, we are particularly interested in hearing from you.
• Join our employee-led networks focusing on Gender, Race and Cultural Diversity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health and Well-being, Parents and Carers and Age.
• Disability Confident Committed employer

Learning & Development

• Career Coaching
• Opportunities to pursue professional development