At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth strategies and enhance content retention for a global healthcare knowledge provider.
- Company: Join BMJ, a leader in impactful medical publishing and innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension contributions, and discounts on health and leisure.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while driving growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in scholarly publishing or management roles.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Head of Growth Initiatives role at BMJ.
Application Closing Date: Friday 9th January 2026
Job Purpose: The Head of Growth Initiatives is a strategic leadership role within the Publishing & Events (P&E) division, responsible for defining and delivering content growth strategies. This role focuses on maximising market share through content retention (article transfers) and content attraction (topic collections), and supports the journal launch programme. You will lead a team of six direct reports to enhance author and reader satisfaction, while holding responsibility for driving and increasing the revenue generated through these key growth initiatives.
Key Tasks:
- Develop and execute portfolio-wide content growth strategies, providing regular updates to the P&E Leadership Team.
- Create and implement commercial strategies to grow open access revenue and enhance market differentiation.
- Lead the Article Transfer Service to ensure efficient retention of high-quality submissions across the portfolio, collaborating with Publishing, Editorial, Operations, and Business Systems teams.
- Direct the Content Development team in researching and commissioning Topic Collections to support journal budgets and portfolio gaps.
- Develop community-based strategies to solicit high-quality research, including outreach to underrepresented groups, partnerships with research institutions, and special calls for papers.
- Monitor and report on KPIs related to article transfers, revenue generation, and content growth, proactively implementing improvements.
- Drive organizational transformation in content retention and attraction capabilities while ensuring strict compliance with ethical guidelines and research integrity standards.
- Cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation within your team, fostering professional development and managing high-quality outputs.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- A strong understanding of high-level biomedicine terminology.
- Professional certifications in Project Management, Publishing, or Marketing are advantageous but not essential.
- Proven experience in a management role within scholarly publishing, with a deep understanding of open access, article transfers, and editorial workflows.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve strategic objectives.
- Exceptional skills in building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Journal Editors, Publishers, and industry partners.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively to overcome industry challenges and drive growth.
- Familiarity with manuscript submission systems and experience in managing program-level initiatives and multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to track and evaluate KPIs related to revenue and content growth.
Why work for us:
Help us create a healthier world. We are a global healthcare knowledge provider. We publish The BMJ, one of the world’s most impactful medical journals and over 70 influential speciality journals. We offer digital tools to help health professionals worldwide tackle critical healthcare challenges.
Flexible Work and Workplace Perks:
- We’re committed to flexible working that supports both your needs and the requirements of the role.
- Generous double-matching employer pension contribution, up to 12%
- Discounted dental and travel insurance
- Seven x salary life assurance cover and a generous income protection package
- Discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work and season ticket loan
- Discounts for retail and leisure products through yourReward
Work-life balance and wellbeing:
- Twenty-five days holiday + bank holidays + a BMJ Day off.
- Additional holiday through long service; buy up to 5 additional days
- Leave for moving house, volunteering or getting married
- Concierge service
- Seniorcare by Lottie
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are not buzzwords to us, but fundamental company priorities. We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique strengths and insights, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive positive change in our industry. If you are from an under-represented or historically marginalised community, we are particularly interested in hearing from you. Join our employee-led networks focusing on Gender, Race and Cultural Diversity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health and Well-being, Parents and Carers and Age.
Disability Confident Committed employer
Learning & Development:
- Career Coaching
- Opportunities to pursue professional development
- Strengths-based development
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Writing/Editing, Strategy/Planning, and Management
Industries: Writing and Editing
Head of Growth Initiatives employer: BMJ
Contact Detail:
BMJ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth Initiatives
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their growth initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can drive content growth and enhance author satisfaction. Highlight your past successes and how they relate to the role of Head of Growth Initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth Initiatives
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Growth Initiatives role. Highlight your experience in content growth strategies and how it aligns with our mission at BMJ.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you've led teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff and driven strategic objectives, especially in scholarly publishing.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves monitoring KPIs, include any relevant data analysis experience you have. Show us how you've used data to inform decisions and drive growth in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at BMJ
✨Know Your Growth Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on the latest trends in content growth strategies, especially in scholarly publishing. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and execute these strategies at BMJ, showcasing your understanding of market share maximisation and content retention.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and driving results. Think about specific instances where you've motivated staff or implemented successful initiatives. This will demonstrate your ability to cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation within your team.
✨Understand the KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators related to article transfers and revenue generation. Be prepared to discuss how you would monitor and report on these metrics, and suggest improvements based on data analysis. This shows your analytical skills and strategic thinking.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, think of ways you've successfully built relationships in the past. Whether it's with Journal Editors or industry partners, be ready to share your approach to fostering these connections and how they contributed to achieving strategic objectives.