Peer Review Editor FTC until May 27 in Leeds

The Peer Review Editor maintains oversight of the peer review performance of an allocated portfolio. In collaboration with the external Journal Editorial Office team, and through a series of inputs framed around support and monitoring, the Peer Review Editor will help Journal Editors and Editorial Advisory Boards administrate the peer review process. The role places the Peer Review Editor as a systems and policy expert, where the day is split between an educational role and an investigative role.

Working cross-functionally with supplier teams, the portfolio Commissioning Editor, and Content Solutions colleagues, the Peer Review Editor provides expert advice and guidance to all journal peer review stakeholders on peer review best practice and publication ethics. The Peer Review Editor uses technical expertise to configure journal sites and workflows to best meet product needs. They actively monitor the performance of JEO teams to ensure adherence to KPIs and best practice.

The Peer Review Editor has a mindset of continuous improvement, demonstrates an understanding of the changing landscape of academic publishing, and actively participates in or leads projects that support Emerald’s mission.

This is a Fixed Term Contract until May 2027 to provide maternity cover.

Location: We perform at our best when we feel trusted and are able to choose an approach to working that suits us best, which is why we are a remote-first company. However, we also believe in face-to-face collaboration, and our UK colleagues meet once a month for team time and quarterly for company get-togethers in our Leeds office, so we ask that you be within a commutable distance that you are comfortable with in order to attend the office on those occasions.

About our Recruitment Process: We welcome applications from all individuals, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief. As we understand the value of the transferability of skills and experiences, we are not looking for the 'perfect candidate' – we encourage everyone who is truly excited about our mission to apply.

Day to day we’ll trust you to:

• Use expert knowledge of the peer review processes and systems, support a team of external vendors across a portfolio of allocated titles.
• Act as first point of escalation for peer review and ethics queries from the vendor team.
• Use data from ScholarOne, identify journal Editor underperformance and poor editorial practice, and work alongside JEOs, Commissioning Editors, Content Solutions and Research Integrity to devise and implement journal development actions.
• Use ScholarOne configuration expertise to assist with set up of new submission sites, journal special issues, and implement changes to journal workflows.
• Work directly with journal Editors on administrating the peer review process, acting with authority on peer review matters and escalating where necessary.
• In partnership with Research Integrity and through your own industry research, understand the threats and challenges of the journal peer review landscape, and implement agreed actions to ensure Emerald journals demonstrate good editorial practices in peer review.
• Provide training to new system users and contribute to the upkeep and development of system support resources.
• Support Publishing and Content Solutions colleagues with copyflow monitoring activities when required.
• Champion best practice and consistency of process with vendors and Emerald colleagues.
• Actively participate in or lead projects that support Emerald’s mission, with a particular focus on peer review innovation.

You’ll need to have:

• Key competencies: Skills of coaching, negotiating with confidence, training, and supporting peer review stakeholders; adherence to set email turn-around times; advanced organisational skills; problem solving and decision making; conflict resolution, and specifically the ability to resolve editorial conflicts and disputes; results-oriented social skills; social and communication skills with a range of global stakeholders; analytical and strategic skills with an aptitude for learning new software systems; relationship development and management.
• Knowledge and Technical skills: Knowledge and ability to work with MS office applications; ability to learn and adapt to internal systems and processes; knowledge of ScholarOne submissions systems.
• Educational level and experience: Relevant publishing or industry experience, with experience or interest in research integrity.

What’s in it for you?

At Emerald, we value our people. Becoming a part of our team means you’ll join a trusting and flexible environment and we've been flexified so you can trust that we're a truly flexible workplace. All we ask is that you attend the office once a month to come together with work colleagues. You'll also have numerous opportunities to progress your career, as well as access to professional development and the opportunity to learn new skills.

You’ll receive a wide range of benefits, such as 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), remote flexible working, a discretionary performance bonus, 6% pension contribution and various benefits aimed at supporting your wellbeing and work-life balance such as a working from home allowance. You can check out a full list of our benefits here.

Roles are advertised at a benchmarked market median rate. Offers will be made within a range of the median, depending on skills and experience. Please note - Applicants must be authorized to work in the UK without restrictions or sponsorship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Emerald Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all of our applicants. If you would like to request any accommodations/adjustments from application through to interview stages, please complete the relevant section within the application or contact us at peopleteam@emerald.com and let us know.