Commissioning Editor
Company : Geological Society of London
Location : Bath, UK (hybrid working)
Closing Date : 7th October 2024
Website : https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/About/Working-for-the-Society/Publishing-House-Jobs
The Commissioning Editor will collaborate with the Head of Editorial Development in the strategic direction and management of a strong book programme (high-quality edited collections), with a particular emphasis on commissioning and securing the timely delivery of high-quality book content.
They will take the lead in commissioning across the Society’s key book series: Geological Society of London Special Publications, Memoirs, Engineering Geology Special Publications, Geoscience in Practice, and GeoHorizons (published in partnership with AGU).
Key accountabilities include:
- Meet annual commissioning objectives, to include targets for number of books commissioned and number of books published, as defined by Head of Editorial Development.
- Build relationships within the subject community and develop a network of editors, authors, and collaborators.
- Manage the process of review and acceptance of book proposals, collaborating with the Society’s Books Editorial Committee, where necessary.
- Take responsibility for all books-related instructions and guidelines for editors, authors, and reviewers, and ensure editors of commissioned titles have clear instructions on what is required of them.
- Ensure commissioned titles are delivered in a timely manner and in accordance with contracts and agreed specifications.
- Be competent in use of the Society’s online submission system and oversee the process for handling queries from editors, authors and reviewers, in collaboration with Publishing Coordinator.
- Create, maintain and implement a living books portfolio development plan, in collaboration with the Head of Editorial Development
- Work with the Books Editorial Committee, and manage its membership, meetings and activities to ensure engagement and delivery of the books development plan.
- Plan for and attend relevant events/conferences to represent the Society books programme, commission new titles, and meet external collaborators.
- Collaborate and liaise with our publishing partners, including the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Qualifications and experience - candidates will ideally demonstrate the following:
- Experience of the commissioning process and of building a pipeline, including working to annual targets for commissioning and / or content delivery for books or high-quality special issues
- Proven experience of managing multiple deadlines, and delivering work and projects to schedule and budget
- Undergraduate or post-graduate level qualification and ability to engage with scientific content
- Excellent and demonstrable influencing, negotiating and relationship building skills
- Excellent understanding of the workings of the research environment and academic institutions
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- High level of IT literacy
- Basic 25 days holiday per year (plus government bank holidays) with the ability to buy 2 extra days
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Free access to Royal Academy exhibits
- Free membership to The Geological Society’s Fellowship or Friends scheme
- 24/7 online GP and mental health assistance for you and immediate family
- Free Headspace Premium for you and 2 members of family or friends
- Life Assurance Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- As part of our inclusive recruitment initiative, we have introduced the concept of anonymous recruiting in order to evaluate applicants solely on their skills and experience. With this in mind, we ask you to:
- Anonymise your application by stating only your initials in your CV (including your file name) and cover letter.
- Please ensure that your cover letter fully addresses the appointment criteria in the person specification in no more than 750 words.
- State your initials only in the subject line when sending your application.
- Ensure that you have included your contact number, as well as dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable.