Managing Editor

Overview and Background:

Originally founded in 1833 as the Entomological Society of London, today the Royal Entomological Society (RES) is devoted to the promotion and development of entomological science. The Society supports international collaboration, research and publications in the field of insect science.

Headquartered in St Albans, the Society maintains an entomological library, hosts an annual conference, Ento, and convenes several special interest groups covering a range of scientific fields. Through its outreach work and events, the Society looks to promote and increase the public’s understanding of insect science. Working with partner organisations, the Society organises the annual ‘Insect Week’.

Governed by elected members and fellows of the Society, sitting as a council and chaired by the RES President, the organisation currently has a team of 17 paid staff that run the Society and its day-to-day activities on behalf of the members.  There are also many volunteers who support the Society’s operations.

The Society’s vision is to enrich the world with insect science. Our seven journals form a key part of our 2022-2025 strategic plan, the first objective of which is to develop the quality and reputation of our journal portfolio. Our journals cover topics across entomology and provide a vital income stream to the Society.

Job Purpose:

The RES has 7 well respected international journals. Reporting to the Head of Publishing, the Managing Editor is a key new role focusing on ensuring the journals are well positioned in a changing publishing landscape. We are seeking a motivated individual with experience in academic journals publishing to manage a portfolio of our journals. 

The key focus of this role is to work with our academic Editors-in-Chief, the Head of Publishing and our Publisher to ensure that our journals maintain high quality standards and increase their output and reach.

This is a new role and will allow an individual to make a real difference to our journals which are a key part of the Society’s strategy and key income stream.

Main Terms and Conditions

Contract: This is an 18-month fixed term contract, at 0.8 FTE

Remuneration:

This salary is a Band 3 position on the RES salary scale.  The starting salary is £30,240p.a.  (pro rata of £37,800 full-time equivalent).

The salary scale is reviewed annually with both a cost-of-living and performance related pay increase within the pay bands determined in the pay policy.  Any pay awards are applied to salaries at this point. 

Hours of work:

The post is 0.8FTE based on 37.5 hours per week.  The working pattern has flexibility and can be discussed during the recruitment process. Please make any requests for flexible working clear in a covering letter in your application.

Annual & Bank Holidays: The holiday year runs from 1 March to 28/29 February each year. You will have a prorated annual holiday entitlement equivalent of 25 days plus an additional 8 Public/Bank holidays.  Anyone joining part-way through a year will receive a pro-rata entitlement for that year.  In addition to the above, we recognise and reward staff loyalty by awarding additional paid leave days, based on length of service, up to a maximum cumulative total of 5 additional days paid leave (pro-rata for part time).

Pension: The post-holder will be eligible to join the RES Pension Scheme.

Additional Employee Benefits: These include an Employee Assistance Programme offered to all members of the team. A cycle-to-work scheme is available for all employees.   

Probationary Period: This post has a 6-month probationary period, during which your suitability for the post will be assessed.

The role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity: We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and supportive organisation to all our team and membership.  All our team are highly valued, and we will support everyone to carry out their role successfully.  As a living wage employer, we are committed to ensuring fair pay for all our colleagues. 

We encourage staff to be involved with the organisation and have a flexible approach to enable our staff to work and achieve to the best of their ability.  We will support individuals to develop in their roles with access to annual reviews and training development.  

Key Accountabilities

Journal processes

• Oversight of journal turnaround times, working with editorial boards and publisher to ensure that these meet agreed targets.
• Oversight of journal guidelines for authors and editors ensuring these are clear and up to date and adhere to industry best practice.
• Providing professional advice to academic editors on manuscript issues where needed.
• Liaising with publisher and Head of Publishing to identify and resolve issues with the editorial office and production.
• Ensuring developments from the Publisher are discussed and implemented as needed.

Journal development

• Managing the strategic development of the journals in consultation with the Head of Publishing and Journal Editors.
• Working with academic editors to identify and implement ways to attract more high-quality submissions and attract new audiences.
• Working with academic editors to produce and implement journal development plans.
• Engaging with the Publisher to make use of their network and systems to ensure high quality marketing and editorial standards.
• Supporting Editors-in-Chief and Associate Editors in journal development activities including regular meetings.
• Contributing to the publications strategy.
• Managing the journal development budget, ensuring that this is effectively used to support editors and meet agreed journal objectives.

Journal promotion and outreach

• Working with the Publisher, Head of Publishing and other RES staff on strategies to increase the reach of journals and journal content.
• Inputting into marketing plans produced by the Publisher and work with them on implementation.
• Representing the journals at the RES annual conference, and other conferences nationally and internationally as needed.
• With RES colleagues, running journal related promotional events as needed.
• With RES colleagues, ensuring that journal social media is active and engaging.
• Running publishing workshops and events as needed to support the entomological community.

Other

• Attendance at publications committee as required.
• Assisting with other publications related tasks as needed e.g. occasionally supporting work on books or the RES membership magazine.
• Complying with all relevant legislation and contributing to RES policies and procedures. 
• Working closely with other staff to ensure effective teamworking and high standards of work including supporting the day-to-day operations at Mansion House, where applicable.
• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity, ensuring RES has a welcoming and inclusive image that is shown through all work.
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties consistent with the scope and nature of the role as requested by the CEO or Senior Leadership Team.  As part of a small team, it may include supporting other roles from time-to-time depending on priorities at that time.

Managing Editor Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in academic publishing.
• Demonstrable experience of working with academics as external key stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of peer review.
• Awareness of the current publishing landscape and trends including open access.
• Experience of managing/developing STM journals (desirable).
• Experience of working with a publishing partner (desirable).
• Working knowledge of peer review management software e.g. ScholarOne (desirable).
• Educated to degree level or equivalent (desirable).
• An interest in entomology/insect science (desirable).

Skills

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic publishing professional.
• Excellent organisational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple conflicting tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal (including face-to-face) and written, adapting your style for a variety of audiences.
• Strong ability to proactively work alongside with the other teams in the Royal Entomological Society to maximise results for the Society.
• Outstanding networking and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent use of initiative and ability to work flexibly to prioritise one’s own work to meet. deadlines and respond to unplanned situations.
• Ability to be a key team player.
• Good standard of IT literacy such as Microsoft Office and CRM packages.

Personal Qualities

• A strong work ethic, trustworthy and reliable.
• Compassionate attitude and understanding of the needs of people.
• Positive can-do attitude.
• Desire to enhance and develop skills and knowledge.
• Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for health and safety.
• Commitment to values of openness, transparency and to working with integrity.
• Drive and enthusiasm.