Assistant Managing Editor

Job Description Summary:

** Cover Letter Required **

The Assistant Managing Editor supervises editorial support staff, monitors editorial board workload, and oversees the journal’s editorial peer review processes under the direction of the Managing Editor. Incumbent proceeds on own initiative in compliance with policies, procedures, and practices but receives guidance or expertise from supervisor or higher-level staff when needed. An understanding of scientific peer review procedures is required. Proven leadership skills and background in biological science are preferred. Reports to the managing editor

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
•    Assign work to senior editorial coordinators, editorial coordinators, and assistants
•    Supervise editorial support staff including team meetings and staff performance reviews
•    Advise staff under supervision regarding interpretation of editorial decisions and dealing with manuscripts stalled in the review or production process
•    Responsible for overseeing all aspects of peer review, including:
•    Handling appeals of rejected manuscripts, escalating to AEs and EIC as needed
•    Tracking review matrices including time to first decision, time to rejection without review, and frequency of appeals
•    Monitor the transmittal process of accepted manuscripts to production
•    Escalation point for Commentaries, Editorials, At the National Academies, Perspective (including presubmission for Perspectives), Special Feature, Colloquia, recruited manuscripts, and special themed issues
•    Answer non-routine editorial questions, troubleshoot problems, and escalate to manager as appropriate
•    Serve as the office contact for problem papers and disgruntled authors and reviewers 
•    Oversee and manage the assignment of manuscripts to appropriate editorial board members
•    Participate in staff meetings to discuss and coordinate services with other departments
•    Identify potential improvements to the online submission system and assists in design, testing, and implementation of new features
•    Attend and take minutes of associate editor conference calls 
•    Assist with preparation of monthly editorial and production reports and status updates
•    Serve as backup to the managing editor
•    Occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site locations
•    Other tasks and special projects to assist the managing editor as assigned

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of National Academies’ intellectual property practices and copyright issues. Ability to solve problems of substantial variety and complexity. Ability to supervise and mentor staff. Project management skills including planning, budgeting, delegating tasks to freelancers, monitoring individual project-related tasks being performed by colleagues in other departments, and successfully completing projects according to established parameters of budget, schedule, and physical specifications. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies’ departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees, work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Four years of related professional experience, two of which was in a supervisory capacity.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in, and detailed understanding of scientific peer-review procedures

• Excellent process management and personnel management skills, good professional judgment, and proven ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel

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Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Reports to Director/Editor. General direction is provided. Supervises assigned staff.
Compensation Range: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position is $70,880 - $88,600. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click  here.

Work Environment: This role has been approved for 100% remote status, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations. Please note that The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is not an approved employer in all states, as such any remote work arrangement will need pre-approval.

The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:

We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.

We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.  

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

PUBL

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Remote, Virginia