The Lead Publisher is an experienced publishing professional who identifies and delivers on business and acquisition opportunities and achieves growth in quality and financial performance of the journals they manage. This requires a broad understanding of their portfolio, the market, opportunities and challenges. The Lead Publisher is responsible for the overall management of a list of journals to include financial oversight, managing the editor/society relationship, and strategic development.

A Lead Publisher has sound financial analysis and financial modeling skills; is experienced in the management and execution of mid to large size projects with strong problem-solving; organizational; and planning skills.

A Lead Publisher will take a leadership role on their assigned team and is responsible for aiding implementation of segment strategy. In addition, the Lead Publisher may be responsible for direct reports.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Business and Product Development:
• Lead and Manage new product or new partnership proposals (ie. New society journals, society affiliations, supplements, proprietary journals, open access expansion)
• Develop strategy for successful journal development and renewals
• Develop new products (including new journals, e-newsletters, commercial e-mails, videos, podcasts, forums, webcasts and virtual conferences, etc.) based on strategic priorities
• Coordinate and evaluate financial profile for ROI/profitability
• Develop and enhance web initiatives around existing and unique print & online content, including the Electronic Journal Platform (eJP)
• Maintain and enhance the value proposition to subscribers/visitors to content and other services, in order to increase submissions, subscriptions and website traffic, member registrations, repeat visits and profitability
• Transform and reposition appropriate print products to online
• Collaborate with marketing & sales to drive submissions and website traffic
• Collaborate with advertising sales teams to create content types for enhanced revenue opportunities

Competition:
• Keep abreast of industry developments, becomes an expert with respect to the competition (editorial, advertising, key players, affiliations), and project future trends in product delivery and key performance indicators
• Remain knowledgeable of trends in website design and functionality
• Collaborate with Ad Sales to define, document and develop new advertising products and sponsorship opportunities
• Collaborate to obtain customer research and feedback regarding usage, member/visitor and author behavior
• Collaborate with marketing to develop product messaging and positioning, prepare and implement strategic plans, collaborate on product launch materials, and provide post-launch support

Financial:
• Ensure Revenue & Margin goals for all products are met or exceeded
• Negotiate sound editor, society, and sponsorship contracts (new and renewal), including preparing and analyzing financial data
• Review overall portfolio and proactively adjust product plan to improve/achieve performance (Cost containment & reallocation of resources as needed)
• Collaborate w/ e-strategy, Sales, and Marketing to achieve financial results
• Prepare/analyze financial data for publisher reports
• Evaluate all products, feature sets and mediums for best possible financial performance/pruning when necessary

Editorial:
• Set editorial direction based on market opportunities and potential for submission and revenue growth
• Evaluate and monitor performance for EIC or other Editorial support
• Timely manuscript delivery—circ growth
• Development of new journal features
• Impact Factor
• Manage editorial office (contract knowledge/cost control)
• Contract negotiation and budget setting
• Succession Planning EIC
• Collaborate on supplement opportunities
• Plan, execute, and implement changes (design, electronic, format) based on Customer Insight
• Identify and exploit print and digital ad opportunities

Communications:
• Building relationships with key society contracts for potential partnerships
• Prepare Annual Publisher Reports or more frequent as define in publishing agreement
• Develop Strategy Plan annually
• Develop publishing direction for proprietary titles based on market opportunities
• Continually evaluate lists for opportunities related to electronic migration, new affiliations, market expansions, termination decisions, format & frequency changes
• Communicate with ad sales force on product features and benefits, site metrics, product messaging, demos, trainings, etc.
• Effectively manage internal/external editorial resources and relationships to ensure operational efficiency
• Timely submission of trip reports
• Monthly journal/society updates through the Monthly Operating Report (MOR)

Society:

• Effectively manage current society relationships
• Financial—problem solving
• Quality—strategy
• Contract renewal
• Fulfill contract obligations
• Identify key decisions makers within the society
• Participate in society meetings
• Prepare required reports— publishing, financial, circulation, usage statistics (web & app), impact factor
• Evaluate and respond to RFPs
• Evaluate potential society affiliation models for best revenue opportunities for proprietary products i.e. online only compulsory receipt; selection of content
• Evaluate existing society profitability according to guidelines and recommend renewal or pruning.

Qualifications

Education: BA/BS degree preferred or equivalent experience required

Required Experience:

7+ years of publishing experience; STM publishing preferred including:

• Strong financial analysis, budgeting and financial modeling skills
• Experience in management and execution of major projects with strong problem solving skills
• Successfully acquired and/or launched new society or proprietary products

• MS Office; proficiency with Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook 365 and OneDrive

Preferred Experience:

• 5 years print and digital product development and management experience preferred

• Demonstrate proven organizational and planning skills while exhibiting detail oriented behavior
• Excellent writing, communication, negotiation and presentation skills

Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications:

• Passionate about scholarly communications and product development
• Good knowledge of legal and ethical publishing protocols
• Familiarity with web development protocols and technologies

Travel:

• 15-20%, including domestic travel to conferences, strategic planning meetings, etc.
• Minimal international travel may be required

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by most people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and requirements.