Development Editor – Industrial and Chemical Safety Portfolio

Division and Unit Overview

The American Chemical Society is the world’s largest scientific membership association and one of the top ten science publishers in the world. The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society provides to its members and the worldwide scientific community a comprehensive collection of high quality information products and services for the practice and advancement of the chemical sciences. The Division publishes a weekly magazine, over 50 high-quality scholarly journals focused on chemistry and chemistry-related topics, and peer-reviewed books developed from ACS symposia (ACS Symposium Series).

Global Journals Development encompasses three major business units. Editorial Development, through its Publishers, focuses on the effective operations and strategic expansion of the suite of ACS Publications journals. This team delivers new products on an annual and ongoing basis, based on an assessment of the existing portfolio relative to the research landscape. Editorial Development provides strategic guidance to ACS Editors-in-Chief to maximize the impact and success of the journals. Open Access Programs, a part of the unit expected to grow in prominence in the coming years, is focused on the strategic development of the open access programs including (currently) two high profile journals, a preprint server, and a substantial non-traditional revenue stream from across the portfolio of titles. Editorial Services primarily focuses on the overall operations related to more than 550 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 ensure this core competency upholds the quality and integrity standards expected of ACS journals.

The Global Journals Development group is the primary ACS editorial and business contact for journal editors who are located throughout the world, and ensure the quality of content published through a rigorous and customer-centric peer review process. Robust submission of high-quality, uniformly prepared manuscripts ensures that ACS journals remain most trusted, most cited, and most read. This objective offers opportunities for efficiencies in downstream publication and optimization of display and delivery of published content. Global Journals Development is central to ensuring the editors and editorial direction of the journals optimally serve the mission of the ACS.

ACS Publications is currently seeking a Development Editor to be based in Washington, D.C. or Oxford, UK.

The Development Editor is responsible for the day-to-day management of two journals in the ACS portfolio focused on industrial research, chemical safety, and environmental health. S/he will work with Editors and ACS staff to develop and implement publishing strategies and editorial initiatives to sustain and enhance the journals’ standing within the global chemistry community to ensure their continued growth and success. The Development Editor will collaborate with the Editors in planning and recruiting a large amount of commissioned content, and monitor progress of the journals against competitors. S/he works with ACS staff from Global Production Operations; Editorial Services; Digital Strategy and Publishing Platforms; and Marketing, Sales and New Product Innovation to implement strategic initiatives for the journal, ensuring the publications are produced on time, on budget, and with appropriate levels of quality. The Development Editor will represent the journals within the scientific community through site visits and conferences. The incumbent reports to the Managing Editor, Editorial Development.

The qualified candidate should be comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders, including Editors, authors, and readers. Ability to communicate clearly with a variety of contacts is essential. The incumbent will collaborate with staff colleagues in developing, refining, and implementing editorial initiatives to ensure the portfolio’s continued growth and success. The individual must be a self-starter, with a strong record of accomplishment in scientific research in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related chemical disciplines. The Development Editor should have familiarity and experience working with the industrial research and chemical health and safety communities, have a working understanding of the peer-review process, and be able to multitask successfully to meet deadlines.

Work design: Manages a unit or function that is part of a larger function. Follows established organizational policies. Develops procedures; recommends policies. Decisions involve translating the Division’s goals and objectives into unit objectives, defined work assignments and projects; conducting and implementing actions; and short- and long-term planning.

Position Accountabilities

• Define and drive strategic growth of Organic Process Research & Development and an upcoming chemical safety title through development and management of editorial initiatives; monitor competitor journals and report on issues/trends to Editors and ACS staff at regular intervals, including during annual Editors’ and Editorial Advisory Board Meetings; develop and implement near and long-term strategic plans and priorities; assist in drafting monitoring reports on journal performance.

• Commission high quality content by identifying, building relationships with, and recruiting new authors and research communities. Manage workflows for invited content including case studies, reviews, commentaries, etc.

• Identify, implement, and promote strategies to enhance the usefulness of the applied portfolio for practicing specialists; diversify and grow authorship; personalize outreach to key communities; further enhance the role and legacy of each journal in its community; monitor emerging trends to identify new opportunities for the portfolio.

• Develop and implement new features, services, and products for the publications portfolio in applied research areas, and support the Society’s effort to provide global researchers the resources to develop safe working environments.

• Represent the journals at site visits, strategic scientific conferences, and exhibits to acquire and maintain a deep understanding of the needs and trends within the communities served by the journals and publications portfolio. Maintain contact with authors, reviewers, and outside experts including those in the publishing industry.

• Collaborate with Editors-in-Chief and other stakeholders to lead journal strategy and consistently deliver content for publication.

• Collaborate with Editors-in-Chief to identify and recruit new Associate Editors for the journals.

• Coordinate with other departments (Global Production Operations; Editorial Services; Web Innovation; Digital Strategy and Publishing Platforms; Marketing, Sales and New Product Innovation; C&EN) to ensure efficiency, timeliness, and overall high quality of the published product and to move strategic initiatives forward.

Required Skills

Combined 5+ years of relevant training and experience in an academic or industrial chemistry setting. Advanced degree (Ph.D.) in the chemical sciences, engineering sciences, or chemical health and safety strongly preferred. Subject knowledge and personal connections in chemical safety, industrial process chemistry, chemical toxicology, and environmental health is highly valued. Experience in STM publishing is a plus. Excellent written and verbal communication with both technical and nontechnical audiences, decision-making, leadership, and analytical skills required. This position will be based in the Washington, D.C. office of the American Chemical Society and requires some travel.