Publisher

OUP; New York, Northern (NY, KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Press, the world's largest university press, is seeking a Contract Manager to oversee society contracts and journal portfolios. You will renew contracts, respond to RFPs, and negotiate terms in liaison with the Publishing Director, ensuring compliance and sustainable financial outcomes.

Collaborating with editors, production, marketing and digital teams, you will present proposals, conduct qualitative research, and support open access initiatives while maintaining the high

Qualifications

• Experience in academic journals publishing.
• Ability to develop proposals and write responses to RFPs.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Analytical forecasting and budgeting abilities.

Responsibilities

• Renew society contracts and manage portfolio.
• Lead pre-emptive renewals and responses to RFPs.
• Negotiate terms with society partners under Publishing Director guidance.
• Collaborate with editors, production, marketing, and digital teams.
• Develop financial models and business plans for journals.
• Ensure compliance with OUP policies and risk appetites.
• Launch new open access journals with partners.

Skills

Publishing

Contract Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Financial modelling

Job description

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As the world's largest university press, Oxford University Press combines global reach with a deep understanding of local audiences. We are committed to publishing serious non-fiction and partnering with authors whose authority, insight, and originality illuminate the issues that shape public discourse. If you share that passion, you may be an ideal fit for us.

With a presence in more than 50 countries and millions of customers worldwide, OUP publishes books that inform debate, illuminate the past, and help shape the future. An idea championed at OUP can have truly global impact.

P RINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES/KEY RESULT AREAS

• Manage and develop a portfolio of society contracts to a degree of excellence that enhances OUP’s standing in the learned society and publishing landscape.
• Renew society contracts. Lead pre-emptive renewals and responses to RFPs to retain contracts for society-owned journals including developing the business plans for approval and writing and presenting detailed proposals, in liaison with the Publishing Director.
• Lead or contribute to the response to RFPs for new potential high quality society business in subject areas identified for content growth.
• With data driven analysis
• High quality written proposals
• Persuasive presentations
• Commercially intelligent financial arrangements
• In full agreement with OUP legal and compliance requirements
• In accordance with OUPs risk appetite and strategic priorities
• Work with the Publishing Director to negotiate successful, consistent contractual terms with society partners that align with OUP strategic priorities, ensuring full compliance with approval processes.
• Ensure adherence to contractual terms for all journals in your portfolio.
• Present for approval, and launch new open access journals with society partners, after undertaking necessary qualitative research and detailed financial modelling.
• Work collaboratively and productively with other functional groups (especially production, marketing, digital) to deliver an excellent service for society partners.
• Collaborate with Editors and journal owners to publish high quality trusted content.
• Work with finance and operations colleagues to ensure maximum long and short term sustainability of the journal list, including management of costs. Initiate remedial actions and negotiations where necessary.
• Lead the transition process for newly acquired titles ensuring a methodological approach, coordination with other departments, including the transitions team, and keeping society clients fully informed on what to expect at each stage.
• Create and present Editorial Development plans to societies and editorial boards as appropriate. Provide relevant data to inform editorial decision making
• Roll out OUP journal policies across the portfolio
• Assist with implementation of projects that scale across the journals programme.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Publishing or transferable professional experience
• Understanding of academic journals publishing and industry trends
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with both internal and external parties.
• Analytical and forecasting ability to review trends and align development appropriately.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.