STM General Counsel
Company: STM
Location: Remote
Background
STM is the standard bearer for the academic publishing industry, supporting 150 members in their task of publishing scholarly journals, monographs and reference works and in providing services related to such content and processes. Academic publishing is engaged in major changes in technology, data, quality assurance and integrity, and business models. STM is recruiting for a General Counsel (or possibly a firm providing such services) to support such engagement and the active support on related legal and public policy initiatives.
About STM
First established in 1968, STM currently has 150 members in 21 countries who each year collectively publish nearly 66%of all journal articles and tens of thousands of monographs and reference works. Members include learned societies, university presses, commercial publishers, and affiliates who support the publishing system -using a variety of business models including subscription and open access – and include both new start-ups and established players in all scholarly disciplines.
STM is incorporated in the Netherlands as a Dutch non-profit Foundation with NL-Chamber of Commerce registration number41200219 and registered in England and Wales with company number FC02747. For further information, please visit https://www.stm-assoc.org
Role and Responsibilities
Manages the legal affairs for STM and provides legal support for the STM Board, Committees and members. Coordinates closely with the Intellectual Property Committee (primarily) and Policy and Advocacy Committee (along with other Committees and working groups as appropriate).
· Monitoring relevant legislative developments globally and active cases with potential significance to the STM publishing industry (with a strong EU base)
· Supporting dialogue and possible intervention in legislative or regulatory initiatives (particularly initiatives with negative or unsustainable outcomes)
· Identifying possible positions and guidelines that support STM objectives and provide positive and voluntary alternatives to legislative or regulatory proposals
· Supporting new technology and data-focused STM initiatives as well as research integrity issues (negotiations, agreements, best practices, legal concerns)
· Identifying compliance concerns (& best practices)including development of possible position papers
· Coordinating with other publishing, research or creator industry associations
· Supporting trade association governance issues
· Managing modest budget for specialist outside counsel support
Candidate Profile
STM is seeking an experienced and innovative counsel with knowledge and experience in publishing or other creative industries, and some engagement in trade association and public policy work. Not all candidates will have experience or knowledge in all areas, but candidates will be considered with appropriate experience in a substantial number:
· Copyright law (EU/international) and some knowledge of other areas of intellectual property
· Contract law particularly in publishing and rights management, with some experience in technology and services agreements
· Litigation management and coordination
· Publishing experience or knowledge (or related creative industry)
· Compliance and trade association governance experience
· Public policy intervention and engagement, including communications and participation in public conferences and events
· Strong drafting skills (Board/Committee or member briefings, memoranda, position and other advocacy papers (English language proficiency)
Location
The STM team operates largely virtually, and thus the role could be based in Europe or the UK. Other locations can be considered, although this might add to travel requirements for in-person Board, Committee and trade association meetings (in addition to public policy interventions).
Closing Date
We are seeking to receive expressions of interest by 14 May 2022.
Contact
For more information or to express interest in the position, please contact:
Caroline Sutton
CEO
Caroline@stm-assoc.org
+47 90 69 05 06