Editorial Assistant - Bmc Flagships

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Editorial Assistant

London, UK – Hybrid Working Model

Permanent

Application Deadline: 6th February 2024

The Editorial Support Team sits within the Editorial Operations Division, which supports the Springer Nature Journals group by connecting the editorial and publishing needs of the journal's portfolios to the people, systems and processes that will support them. The Editorial Support Team’s primary function is to provide best-in-class editorial support to authors, editors (internal and external) and peer reviewers from the point of submission through to acceptance.

We are seeking to appoint two Editorial Assistants for BMC Flagship journals and Nature Communications teams to manage the processing of manuscripts from submission to acceptance as well as support the standardisation of workflows, improve efficiencies, data collection, and to support authors, editors, and reviewers. This position is key to assisting the internal and external editorial teams with the processing of manuscripts and ensuring content is processed within suitable timeframes.

This is an administrative position which would be ideal for someone with some office experience wishing to start a career in a fast-paced publishing environment. Excellent communication skills are key to this role – both written and verbal. Building key relationships with Editors and Chief Editors is essential for this role, as is working alongside other publishing departments including production and the wider Editorial Support team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the flow of manuscripts from submission to acceptance through the manuscript system (MTS); perform quality checks on manuscripts and ensure all required legal paperwork is collected and stored.
• Provide support for Authors, Reviewers and Editors; troubleshoot and assist with system issues and escalate to the relevant teams as required.
• Liaising with Authors, Reviewers and internal & external Editors via email and telephone – ensuring your manner is always polite, professional and helpful.
• Maintain correct information within the databases; update and merge person records within the system and ensure manuscript information is correct.
• Assist with editorial reports and other ad hoc tasks associated with the editorial workflow.
• Provide team cover during periods of absence.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Experience working in a fast-paced office environment is preferred.
• Microsoft Office and Google suites; database management.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a customer service ethos.
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere carefully to established procedures.
• Ability to work to a specified list of priorities with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to organise and juggle a varied workload under pressure and to work quickly and efficiently without constant supervision.
• Capacity to make thoughtful decisions and use initiative.
• Attention to detail.
• A positive attitude in the workplace and a willingness to cooperate with colleagues.

Desirable:

• Educated to degree level desirable but not a requirement.

Our Editorial Assistants play an important role in managing an efficient editorial process and standardising workflows. The nature of the role is administrative and career development in a role such as this might see you develop through different levels of editorial administration and operational management. It should be noted that this role does not include writing or editing content. If appointed, you will gain great insights into the scientific operational editorial and peer review process and how it works.

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