Editorial Director, Nature Research Journals, Life Sciences

Springer Nature; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Springer Nature is seeking an Editorial Director for Life Sciences within Nature Portfolio, located in New York or Berlin. The role leads Chief Editors and editorial teams to advance a portfolio of life sciences journals, guiding strategy, growth, and editorial excellence on a global scale.

You will drive data-informed decision making, champion workflow improvements, and collaborate across Nature Portfolio and Springer Nature to ensure top-quality content and outstanding author experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead Chief Editors and editorial teams to deliver top-quality journals and best-in-class author experience.
• Apply data analytics and quantitative skills to drive performance and strategic decision-making.
• Champion workflow improvements and new tools to enhance journal activity, efficiency, and author service.
• Manage relationships across Nature Portfolio and Springer Nature, with effective conflict management.
• Understand trends across subjects to support strategic business development and portfolio growth.
• Contribute to the strategic development of Nature Portfolio and the broader journals group with a global perspective.
• Stay informed on market trends to steer strategic direction and investments.
• Inspire Chief Editors to achieve strategic and commercial goals and lead change when needed.
• Coach Chief Editors in team leadership, talent development, and succession planning.
• Champion your subject and build influence across the portfolio.

Job description

Job Title: Editorial Director, Nature Research journals, Life Sciences

Locations: New York or Berlin

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature

About the Brand

Nature Portfolio's high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical, and applied sciences help move science and society forward.

Nature Portfolio is home to the leading international weekly journal of science, Nature, founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.

Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with content, including news and comment from the Nature journal, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. As part of Springer Nature, Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @NaturePortfolio

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team that is charting the future of the renowned Nature portfolio journal family. The Editorial Director, Life Sciences drives the strategic growth and development of a set of thematically-connected research journals within the Nature Portfolio by leading and inspiring the relevant Chief Editors and the editorial teams they oversee. The Editorial Director, Life Sciences is a key member of the Nature Portfolio senior leadership team, actively working to define and articulate Nature Portfolio strategy within the Nature team and beyond. As a Nature Portfolio Editorial Director, you would also develop one or more areas of expertise important to overall Nature Portfolio development and take on advancement and advocacy across the broader team.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate, and inspire Chief Editors and editorial teams to produce journals that deliver top-quality content and a best-in-class author experience, while building effective teams and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure a data-informed approach to journal development, management, and oversight, applying strong data analytics and quantitative skills to drive performance and strategic decision-making.
• Champion workflow improvement and the adoption of new approaches and tools to enhance journal activity, operational efficiency, and author service.
• Manage effective relationships across Nature Portfolio and broader Springer Nature, demonstrating strong conflict management skills to align stakeholders and advance shared objectives.
• Understand the trends, challenges, and opportunities across your subject areas, leveraging market intelligence to support strategic business development and portfolio growth.
• Contribute actively to the strategic development of Nature Portfolio and the broader Springer Nature journals group, bringing a global perspective to emerging opportunities and organizational priorities.
• Stay abreast of market trends and developments and use those insights, along with strong decision quality, to inform strategic direction and investment priorities.
• Inspire and motivate Chief Editors and editorial teams to achieve agreed strategic and commercial performance goals, demonstrating the courage to lead change and make difficult decisions when required.
• Coach Chief Editors in team leadership, talent development, and succession planning to attract top talent, strengthen organizational capability, and promote positive engagement among team members.
• Champion your subject