Jobs

The Director of Journal Operations and Systems is responsible for pre-production editorial processes and staff (including but not limited to managing editors, editorial assistants, and others) for the eight AACR journals. The Director serves as a principal liaison to the external and internal journal editors. The Director is responsible for all aspects of computer-based systems used to process articles from submission to acceptance. He or she oversees implementation of editorial policies. The Director serves as part of the senior publishing staff team and contributes to and implements publishing strategies and helps develop new products and services.

Organization Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with more than 35,000 members residing in 101 countries, is the oldest and largest organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. The programs and activities of the AACR foster the exchange of new knowledge among scientists and physicians dedicated to making advances against cancer. AACR publishes eight peer-reviewed scientific journals and an award-winning magazine for cancer patients and their loved ones; convenes topical scientific conferences and an annual meeting that draws more than 19,300 participants; offers educational workshops that train young investigators in a variety of scientific and clinical areas; funds fellowships, career development awards, and research grants for both senior and junior investigators; raises public awareness of the progress in and reasons for hope in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer; engages actively in advocacy for increased federal research funding; and interacts with regulatory agencies to accelerate advances in regulatory science and policy.

 Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Works with editors to improve content display and to ensure that each journal is appropriate in scope.
• Plans and helps develop all retreats, editorial board meetings, and regular meetings and conference calls.
• Facilitates the AACR’s orientation of new editors-in-chief (selected by search committees), deputy and senior editors, and editorial boards (selected by the editor-in-chief).
• Manages set up of special sections and, in coordination with other department team members, helps support systems required for content acquisition.
• Monitors and updates requirements for manuscript submission and instructions for authors.
• Consistently seeks to improve the quality and timeliness of the editorial processes and the AACR experience of authors and editors.
• Reviews and assesses peer-review processes and develops database of reviewers.
• Works directly with system vendors to improve software that supports editorial processes.
• Works with in-house scientific editors and journal editors to resolve ethical issues.
• Works closely with Associate Director of Production to ensure the best possible quality of all published articles.
•  Works directly with communications and journals marketing staff to help promote the journals program.
• Provides information on new content, special features, and special issues that can be used to promote AACR journals.
• Provides statistics on items such as submissions, acceptance rates, fast-track options, use of open access option, etc., to help underscore the strengths of the journals program.
• Oversees attendance of editorial staff at meetings.
• Serves as journal liaison to communications department for press relations.
• Prepares performance reports and editorial budgets; manages and mentors staff.
• Provides trend data for content types, editor and reviewer performance, and time frames for editorial processes.
• Recommends financial and staff resources as needed.
• Hires, trains, evaluates, and manages editorial processing staff members.
• Serves as part of the Division senior publishing staff team.
• Represents the Division and the AACR at external and internal meetings.
• Participates in strategic planning and policy development.
• Participates in AACR senior management meetings and team projects.
•  Handles other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree a plus.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Position requires a minimum of 10 -15 years of experience in an editorial office setting, primarily in a management capacity.
• Thorough knowledge of the scientific journal peer-review process.
• Knowledge of editorial standards for scientific journals.
• Familiarity with ethical issues in publishing.
• General working knowledge of biomedical science, preferably in a cancer-science related field.
• Experience hiring, training, managing, and developing staff members.
• Advanced writing ability and strong communication skills to be able to deal effectively with editors, authors, vendors, and staff.
• Understanding of work flows and how to manage and improve them.
• Knowledge of computer-based work-flow management systems; proficient with software including MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint, and other presentation software.

Location: Philadelphia, US

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and salary history to:

Human Resources
P.O. Box 40138
Philadelphia, PA 19106
E-mail: humanresources@aacr.org
Fax: 215-440-1045