Assistant Director and Publisher for Partners

Publications Division Overview
The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) publishes over 75 high-quality scholarly journals focused on chemistry and chemistry-related topics. It thus provides its members and the worldwide scientific community with a comprehensive collection of high-quality information products and services for the practice and advancement of the chemical sciences.  One key objective to achieve this mission is to develop, acquire, and publish high-quality editorial content in new and established publications that have brand recognition and appeal within attractive market segments.  

Unit Overview
The Journals Publishing Group encompasses three major business units.  Editorial Development, through two distinct yet highly collaborative teams, is focused on the effective operations and strategic expansion of the suite of ACS Publication’s journals.  The team responsible for ACS proprietary titles actively develops existing journals and also proposes and delivers new products on an annual and ongoing basis. They provide strategic guidance to ACS Editors-in-Chief to maximize the impact, success, and smooth running of the journals. The other Editorial Development team oversees a diverse portfolio of products and activities, including research integrity, diversity activities, professional editors, partner publishing, and portfolio-wide editorial commissioning efforts.  The Editorial Development teams work in close concert across many units, including marketing colleagues.  Global Editorial Operations is primarily focused on the overall operations related to nearly 800 journal editors, and their editorial offices. This group oversees the effective implementation of the entire peer review process and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to foster the communities of authors, reviewers, and editors who rely on the journals. Global Production Operations, through a large team of technical and graphics editors aided by advanced technology, is responsible for the efficient and cost-effective production of 60,000+ accepted articles each year.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Research Integrity and Global Developments, Editorial Development, the Assistant Director and Publisher for Partners is responsible for global developments of the portfolio through the newly established partner publishing program. The incumbent is also responsible for identifying and implementing content expansion opportunities according to strategic priorities and market needs, all grounded on strong business fundamentals of each journal. Managing these business-critical activities involves market research, competitive analyses, preparation of business cases, annual target setting and tracking, recruitment of external editorial talent and resources, and detailed project planning and implementation. The incumbent liaises with editorial and financial-oversight governance bodies.

Work Design:
Ensures the success of the business unit or function.  Demonstrates extensive knowledge of the organization and industry practices, methods, and procedures. Directs a significant function or sub-function.  Ensures integration of the units within the function and within the business unit.  Contributes to integration across the organization in areas of expertise.  Develops and manages short- and near-term strategies related to the area.  Develops procedures and policies. Decisions involve complex and contradictory alternatives requiring organizational support.

Position Accountabilities

1. Maintenance and Expansion of Partner Journals Portfolio. 

 a.  Responsible for the evaluation of market conditions and competition for existing and future titles within the societies’ peer-reviewed partner journals publishing program of ~7 titles, with plans for substantial expansion. (This involves primary and secondary market research and collaboration with the team tasked with on-the-ground relationship cultivation, and close collaboration with the Editorial Development and Marketing teams and ACS Editors-in-Chief and members of Editorial Boards of ACS journals.) 

b. Manage the development of business cases for new high-quality information product opportunities for the practice and advancement of the chemical sciences, including supporting rationale and financial projections. Recommends opportunities to Division management and presents opportunities to the Governing Board for Publishing.

c. Track results against the business case to ensure the ongoing success of new and existing products.

d. Identify growth opportunities through the development of professional relationships and market overviews, and take the lead in evaluating and responding to RFPs.

e. Responsible for the development of tactical implementation plans for partner journals in collaboration with senior managers and staff within other functional areas (e.g. production and manufacturing, sales and marketing, finance, Web Presence and IT).  Implementation plans may require the recruitment of talent from either internal or external sources and/or negotiations with third parties. 

f. Direct the periodic monitoring of the editorial leadership and operational health of ACS partner journals and prepare reports for the Society Committee on Publications. 

g. Develop and monitor Editors’ expense budgets in collaboration with departmental colleagues. This may include oversight of expenses associated with editors, editorial office staff, meetings, and initiatives and of management and implementation of journal-related meetings.

2. Cultivate Relationships External/Internal to ACS Publications and to the Society
a. Serve as a representative of the Publications Division in interacting with both inside and outside parties, such as the Joint Board Council Committee on Publications, ACS journal editors and advisors, external consultants, and industry bodies

b. Work collaboratively with ACS Publications staff, IT, Membership, and staff within Chemical Abstracts Service to identify and develop opportunities to employ new technology for more effective production and delivery of products. 
 

Education and Experience and Technical Requirements
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the sciences; advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D. or MBA) or equivalent work experience; 7+  years of direct editorial experience in scientific and technical publishing or relevant management experience; experience with project planning and developing new business opportunities in support of strategic plans; strong people management and indirect-influence skills, strong communications skills, both written and oral, including effective presentation skills when making recommendations to large/senior groups. Ability to travel internationally. 

This position will be primarily based in the Washington D.C. (or applicable) office. ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.

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