Publications Manager

Society for Scholarly Publishing; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

FSA/HSA options

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

ISHLT is seeking a Publications Manager to oversee day-to-day coordination of journal portfolios and content across social media, email, newsletters, short-form video, and the ISHLT website.

You will serve as the primary staff liaison to editorial teams and publishing partners, manage workflows, and lead initiatives to expand visibility, reach, and engagement of ISHLT publications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, publishing, marketing, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in publishing, editorial operations, or scholarly/medical journals.
• Experience with academic, scientific, or medical journals and peer-review processes preferred.
• Nonprofit/association experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as staff liaison to Editorial Boards and manage editorial workflows.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, minutes, and maintain committee records.
• Track publishing metrics and prepare reports for leadership.
• Develop content across social media, newsletters, podcasts, and website.
• Oversee content calendars and journal outreach initiatives.
• Support communications at meetings, conferences, and webinars.
• Work with internal and external SMEs to strengthen publications communications.

Skills

Excellent communication

Project management

Editorial coordination

Writing style adaptation

Attention to detail

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Decision making

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, publishing, marketing, or related field

3–5 years of publishing/editorial operations experience

Experience with academic/medical journals and peer-review processes

Nonprofit/association experience preferred

Tools

MS Office

Content Management Systems

Editorial Manager

Social media platforms

Podcast production/editing tools

Adobe Photoshop or similar

Web applications

Job description

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) is seeking a Publications Manager to join our team.

(Chicago and nationwide search.)

In this role, you will oversee the day-to-day coordination and advancement of ISHLT’s journal portfolio and the development and dissemination of publications-related content across social media, email, newsletters, short-form video, and the ISHLT website. The position serves as the primary staff liaison to editorial teams and publishing partners, manages key editorial and content-development workflows, and leads initiatives that expand the visibility, reach, and engagement of ISHLT publications across multiple channels.

ISHLT is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving care for patients with advanced heart or lung disease through transplantation, mechanical support, and innovative therapies. Our international members represent more than 15 medical, scientific, and allied health disciplines. Together, we advance global, multidisciplinary education, research, and advocacy. We are a dynamic, growing, financially stable organization. For more information, visit www.ishlt.org.

We are a small, collaborative team where every role is meaningful and mission-driven. We take pride in providing a high level of service to ISHLT members and partners worldwide.

Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

Journal and Editorial Support

• Serve as the staff liaison for the Society’s Editorial Boards
• Facilitate communication between volunteer editors, publishing partners, and staff
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, minutes, follow-up actions, and maintain committee records
• Maintain editorial calendars, operational workflows, and internal and external documentation
• Oversee key initiatives such as calls for papers, special issues, and other editorial projects
• Oversee volunteer recruiting and onboarding initiatives
• Track and analyze key publishing metrics, prepare reports for the Director of Marketing and Communications and editorial teams, recommend improvements, and support their implementation

Content Strategy and Engagement

• Inform and support implementation of communications strategy and content calendar, and monitor metrics
• Oversee the curation, development, and dissemination of podcasts
• Manage the publication of the Society’s “Journal Watch” initiative
• Identify and recommend pathways for dissemination of content generated by ISHLT working groups
• In collaboration with marketing and communications team, execute content creation across multiple channels, including social media, short-form video, email marketing, newsletters and website content
• Monitor developments in scholarly publishing, scientific communications, open access, artificial intelligence, and emerging content formats, and recommend approaches to increase the visibility and engagement of ISHLT publications
• Monitor performance and metrics, prepare reports, and implement data-driven improvements

Society Communications and Publishing Support

• Develop member communications related to Journal and other Society publications
• Identify the appropriate messaging and pathways for promoting and disseminating Society documents and statements
• Support inclusion of publications programs and leaders in Society meetings, conferences, and webinars
• Oversee webpages related to ISHLT publications and Journals
• Work with internal and external subject matter experts to strengthen the Society’s communications and content development
• Identify and advance opportunities to highlight member and volunteer achievements
• Maintain social media schedule/project plan, including collaboratively drafting and posting social media content

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal, analytical, listening, and presentation skills
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple editorial and content workstreams simultaneously
• Ability to adjust writing style to target audiences (scientific/clinical audiences, members, general public) while following style guide standards
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, with the ability to manage competing deadlines
• Comfort working with volunteer leadership and committees, including scheduling, agenda-setting, and follow-up on action items
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to serve as a liaison between editorial teams, publishing partners, and Society staff
• Ability to interpret publishing metrics and other performance data to inform recommendations
• Provide excellent service and teamwork with staff, members, and volunteer leaders
• Work both independently and with a team
• Make objective decisions using sound judgment
• Must be able to work under tight time constraints and extended hours as required
• Ability to travel 1-2 times per year

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, publishing, marketing, or a related field
• Minimum of three to five years’ of progressively responsible experience in publishing, editorial operations, scholarly/medical journals, and/or marketing and communications
• Experience working with academic, scientific, or medical journals, editorial boards, or peer-review processes preferred
• Nonprofit/member-based or association experience preferred

Computer Skills

• Proficient in MS Office, web applications, and digital platform technologies
• Experience with content management systems
• Experience using social media platforms
• Familiarity with journal/manuscript management systems (e.g., Editorial Manager), podcast production/editing tools and basic graphic design skills (Adobe Photoshop or similar) desired

Work Location

We welcome applicants from across the United States who are able to work remotely. Candidates based in the Chicago area may work remotely or a hybrid schedule from our downtown Chicago office.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Employer-subsidized health insurance (90-100% of individual premiums)
• Employee-paid dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Optional supplemental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• 401(k) with employer match
• 12 paid holidays
• 20 PTO days for new employees
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and additional wellness resources

ISHLT is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender expression, place of origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.