Managing Editor

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Managing Editor (ME) provides both operational and strategic leadership for ASPB’s flagship journals, Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell. In addition to ensuring smooth daily operations, the ME plays a critical role in anticipating challenges, identifying opportunities for innovation, and maintaining ASPB’s reputation for publishing excellence and ensuring its strong commitment to customer service. The ME works closely with senior leadership, editorial boards, authors, reviewers, and publishing partners to sustain and advance the journals’ impact in a rapidly evolving scholarly publishing environment.

Why Work for Us?

We have a stable, fully virtual work environment, and we know that happy employees drive our company’s success! We have a great family friendly atmosphere, and we offer flexible schedules, flex-spending account for health, and a generous family leave policy.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Oversight and Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of journal operations ensuring alignment between day-to-day activities and long-term organizational objectives.
• Identify and address potential challenges in peer review and production workflows and in author/reviewer engagement by developing proactive solutions before issues that impact operations arise.
• Track and report on emerging trends in scholarly publishing, research integrity standards, open access models, digital tools, vendor services, policy developments, and provide strategic recommendations to ASPB’s Vice President of Content & Communications on implications and opportunities for ASPB’s journals.
• Identify and implement innovations to improve efficiency, user experience, and journal impact.
• Partner with Editors-in-Chief and ASPB leadership in defining and executing journal strategy, positioning ASPB’s publications as premiere resources in the plant biology field.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in editorial management systems, peer review platforms, and innovative technologies that advance and support scholarly communication.

Editorial Operations

• Direct all aspects of manuscript submission and review and the people and processes involved in them, ensuring efficiency and consistent adherence to standards.
• Facilitate article transmission to production, liaising with journal production teams to anticipate and resolve issues, and maintaining article time to publication schedules.
• Ensure rigorous attention to research integrity, publication ethics, and compliance with industry best practices.

Relationship Building

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with Editors-in-Chief (EICs), editorial board members, authors, reviewers, vendors, and internal staff.
• Act as a trusted advisor and liaison across all stakeholder groups, navigating complex or sensitive situations with diplomacy, sound judgement, and professionalism.
• Champion an inclusive and supportive environment within ASPB, the editorial office, and across external stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with:
  • Editors-in-Chief: Handle operational execution of the journals to enable EICs to focus on strategic vision and content direction.
  • Editorial Boards: Ensure board members receive consistent support, remain actively engaged, and feel valued and recognized for their contributions.
  • Authors and Reviewers: Deliver responsive, professional assistance throughout the submission and review processes, including personalized support for one-off interactions as necessary.
  • Vice President, Content and Communications: Execute strategic initiatives, provide regular journal performance reporting, develop journal expense budgets, and collaborate on new products and ideas.
  • Editorial Office Staff: Supervise Peer Review Managers and Editorial Assistant; support their professional development, delegate responsibilities, and assign appropriate tasks.
  • Vendors and Partners: Evaluate vendor performance and job duties, facilitate payments, identify service providers, and recommend services that enhance journal quality and operational efficiency.

Competencies and Core Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree required
2. Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience managing peer review and production workflows for online STM journals, with demonstrated knowledge of industry standards and best practices
3. Proven expertise with one or more major commercial manuscript management systems (e.g., Editorial Manager, ScholarOne, eJournalPress)
4. Track record of success in training, quality assurance, and process improvement roles
5. Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high performing teams in a collaborative editorial environment
6. Strong project management capabilities with the ability to prioritize competing demands, delegate effectively, and maintain accountability across multiple initiatives with a high degree of organizational skills
7. Experience with developing, tracking, and managing an annual budget with a solid understanding of resource allocations
8. Proficiency with a diverse range of software platforms, including editorial management systems, video conferencing tools, and database systems
9. Strong analytical mindset with the ability to analyze and interpret data, identify trends, and adapt strategies and tactics to optimize outcomes
10. Exceptional written and verbal communications skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences
11. Strategic thinker with an ability to see the big picture while maintaining attention to details

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials as a single PDF file:

1. 1. Cover letter (one page maximum)
   2. Resume
   3. Work samples demonstrating relevant experience if applicable

Important: Depending on where we post our positions, the applicant tracking system might require you to combine your files into one document. You can submit various files if the applicant track system allows it; otherwise, please combine your documents into one file. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Your cover letter should concisely address how your professional experience, leadership capabilities, and background align with the requirements of this position. Please ensure your work samples showcase skills relevant to editorial management, such as process documentation, training materials, editorial correspondence, or strategic reports.

Remote Work

All of our employees will continue to work remotely until further notice.

States and District Where We Accept Applications

Maryland

District of Columbia

Virginia

Colorado

Florida

Pennsylvania

1. Healthcare - 90% employer paid healthcare plan
2. Dental and Vision - 100% employer paid dental and vision plan
3. Retirement - 8% employer paid 403(b) retirement plan, plus an additional 2% matching
4. Annual Leave - Two weeks paid vacation in your first year
5. Sick Leave - 10 days paid sick leave
6. Holidays - 11 paid holidays
7. Flexible Spending Accounts for childcare and health care
8. Flexible work schedule
9. Family leave
10. Life insurance
11. Long and short-term disability
12. Wellness