Job Description & Competency Requirement
Senior Commissioning Editor
(30/Sep/2011)
Reports to: Publisher
Line manages: 1-3
Location: CHT
Hours: 35
Job scope
The primary objectives of The Royal Society’s publishing operation are to disseminate high-quality science, to make a
positive contribution to the reputation of the Society and to generate a surplus to be used by the Society for the good
of science.
The Senior Commissioning Editor is responsible for the overall publishing performance of both Phil Trans journals. This
includes contributing to increased profits through the successful implementation of publishing strategies and
delivering the very best scientific content with a commitment to ensuring the highest academic standards are met.
He/she is responsible for creating titles that are highly cited and renowned for the quality of their content. Overall, the
vision is to make each journal the market leader in its field so we can maximise revenues.
The main responsibilities are commissioning content, editorial development and administration of pre- and postacceptance of content. He/she line manages the Commissioning Editor who is responsible for commissioning content,
editorial development and administration of pre- and post-acceptance of content on the second Phil Trans journal.
Key responsibilities and tasks
1.
The post holder has overall responsibility for both Phil Trans journals and takes the lead on all publishing
aspects of the title(s) and is responsible for achieving strategic objectives through agreed tactics. To achieve
these objectives, The Senior Commissioning Editor works with the Commissioning Editor and an extended
team including members of Sales, Marketing, Production, Design Studio, Finance, Press etc.
2.
The main responsibilities are commissioning sufficient content, editorial development, line management and
administration of pre- and post-acceptance of content to ensure a sufficient and steady flow of high-quality
material to Production.
3.
To take a proactive approach to the editorial development of their journal(s) to ensure that they are leaders in
their field(s). This will include:
•
working with the Commissioning Editor, Academic Editors, Editorial Boards, and key Royal Society
colleagues to develop a strategic plan for specified journals by identifying the publishing needs / trends in
the scientific community;
•

Development of plans and implementation of agreed tactics to achieve these strategic aims, including
coverage of key topics and author marketing initiatives to achieve targets in relation to the publication of
high-quality peer-reviewed content;
Liaison with Marketing staff to ensure: the correct marketing strategy to achieve our editorial and
financial objectives; that the marketing messages reflect the status and editorial authority of the journals.
Marketing will offer support for author marketing. Beyond this, the Senior Commissioning Editor will
carry out a range of marketing initiatives.
It is the Senior Commissioning Editor and Commissioning Editors’ responsibilities to become the ‘faces of their
respective journals’ with top authors and to ensure they publish with us.
4.
Ensure high impact and visibility in order that the journal can achieve market-leading positions for subscribers,
readers and authors. Exploit opportunities offered by online and interactive publication.
5.
Line management of staff working on own journal(s), if applicable.
6.
Motivate colleagues to ensure that all aspects of the journal run smoothly and in particular that the highest
level of author care is met, from initial targeting, to submission, peer-review and follow up.
7.
Liaison with Sales so they can grow revenues from subscriptions and other streams. Assisting the sales staff in
exploiting opportunities for increased sales and renewals.
8.
Effective management of costs within agreed budgets.
9.
Acting as secretary to the Editorial Board which includes arranging Board Meetings, timely circulation of Board
Papers, writing minutes and ensuring that action points are executed.
10.
Circulation and highlighting of summaries of newsworthy articles to Society’s press office.
11.
Contribution to the on-going financial and editorial development of the Publishing Section as a whole by, for
example, making suggestions for improvements to processes, identifying opportunities to launch new
products and services etc.
12.
The Commissioning Editor may take on specific additional responsibilities (e.g. responsibility for permissions,
acting as Secretary to the Publishing Board, etc) as determined by the Publisher.
13.
Project work as is necessary from time-to-time and any other relevant duties as required.
14.
Occasional travel to conferences, seminars and academic departments in the UK, mainland Europe, USA and
other key countries as defined by strategy.
Key knowledge and skills required
2
1.
Excellent, up-to-date product and market knowledge. Thorough understanding of the publishing needs of the
research scientist, both in traditional, peer reviewed STM journals and through other means (e.g. social
media).
2.
Thorough grasp of subject. Must be aware of hot topics and key people in diverse areas.
3.
Significant experience in STM publishing.
4.
The post requires excellent communication and networking skills to work effectively with scientists, Editors,
Board Members, the Fellowship and Officers of The Royal Society and in-house staff.
Degree, in relevant scientific subject
5.
1. Self Management (Advanced)
List key indicators (managing stress/ effective & efficient/ self motivated/ enthusiastic/ confident/ self awareness) that are
specific to this role and relevant demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: Managing stress, Effective & Efficient, Self motivated, Enthusiastic, Confident, Self-awareness
Demonstrations:
 Works unsupervised and can motivate self
 Can manage in stressful situations
 Produces results under pressure
 Pushes for the best results
 Identifies difficult situations
 Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it
 Controls pressurised situations
 Effectively enthuses those in the team
 Proactively sets goals and targets for own work
2. Working with others (Advanced)
List key indicators (collaborative/ shares knowledge/ giving & receiving feedback/ engaging & networking/ negotiation/
influencing/ presentation skills/ public speaking/ situational & organisational awareness) that are specific to this role and
relevant demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: collaborative, shares knowledge, giving and receiving feedback , engaging and networking,
negotiation, presentation skills, situational and organisational awareness
Demonstrations:
 Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation
 Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society
 Able to present complex issues simply
 Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others
 Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable
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3. Resource management (Intermediate)
List key indicators (budget management/ organisation/ prioritising/ results focus/ quality focus) that are specific to this role
and relevant demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: planning, organisation, prioritising, results focus, quality focus
Demonstrations:
 Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of
the Society
 Sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets.
 Focuses on both short and long-term goals
4. Critical thinking (Intermediate)
List key indicators (accuracy/ attention to detail/ analytical/ decision making/ judgement/ problem solving/ creativity/
innovative) that are specific to this role and relevant demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: Accuracy attention to detail, analytical, decision making, judgement, problem solving,
Demonstrations:
 Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation
 Checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate
 Extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately
 Puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems
 Tries different ways of doing things to get the best results
5. Adaptability (Advanced)
List key indicators (adaptable/ flexible/ dealing with new situations) that are specific to this role and relevant
demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: Adaptable, Flexible, Dealing with new situations
Demonstrations:
 Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates
this thinking into any output.
 Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects
 Anticipates need for innovation and seeks new ideas, approaches and solutions

6. Managing people and relationships (Intermediate)
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List key indicators (delegation/ empowerment/ motivates others/ develops staff/ builds rapport/ customer focus &
stakeholder engagement/ discreet/ empathetic/ diplomatic/ managing conflict) that are specific to this role and relevant
demonstrations of the key indicators in the context of this role
Key Indicators: Delegation, empowerment, motivates others, builds rapport, customer-focus and stakeholder
engagement, discreet, empathetic, diplomatic, managing conflict
Demonstrations:
 Delegates effectively, setting clear expectations and authority
 Monitors results and feedbacks to team on a regular basis
 Recognises others’ contributions and acknowledges their limits
 Helps others to identify ways to improve their performance.
 Prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in a timely fashion

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