Senior Publisher (Fixed Term Contract)

We are looking for an experienced publishing professional to join our Journals Editorial team with the Academic Division as Senior Publisher on a fixed term contract of 6 months with the possibility of extension. The role will manage and develop a portfolio of high value journals effectively. You will grow the portfolio through strategic development of existing titles, launching new journals and through renewing and acquiring journal contracts. You will work to maintain OUP’s reputation standing as a journal publisher through strong delivery of the above.

Duties of the role will include:

• Manage a list of high priority journals to ensure they meet targets including revenue, quality, and profitability.
• Collaborate with Editors and journal owners to publish high quality content and support content growth as appropriate to increase market share of articles.
• Build strong relationships with journal owners, Editors, and any affiliated societies as relevant.
• Negotiate contracts to align with OUP’s strategic priorities and ensure OUP retains contracts by providing an excellent service in an efficient manner.
• Create and implement strategic development plans and present them to journal owners and editors/editorial boards as appropriate.
• Provide relevant data to inform editorial decision making.
• Renew contracts with optimal financial contribution to OUP, including developing business plans for approval and writing and presenting detailed renewal proposals.
• Monitor journal financial performance regularly, and input into annual budgets for journals.
• Work with Finance colleagues to ensure risk mitigation, initiating remedial discussions where necessary.
• Work collaboratively and productively with OUP colleagues to deliver an excellent service for journal owners.
• Research, present for approval, and if approved, launch new open access journals.
• Lead the transition process for newly acquired/launched titles in your list ensuring a methodical approach, coordination with other departments, and keeping all stakeholders fully informed on what to expect at each stage.
• Roll out global OUP journal policies across the portfolio when relevant.
• Work with the Executive Publisher and Director to identify and implement projects to support growth and efficiencies, and priority projects that scale across the journals program.
• Attend appropriate conferences and industry events as appropriate; travel to maintain relationships and attend board meetings as well as internal meetings, either departmental or divisional.
• Provide ad hoc support, advice and guidance on open access (OA) publishing for colleagues working in the wider editorial team as required.
• Consult on projects as appropriate including OA flips and new launches.
• Work proactively to identify and pitch for approval appropriate projects, policies, and updates to benefit the journals in your list and OUP’s wider portfolio, and to drive growth.
• Clearly communicate updates in the OA landscape to the wider team when nominated.

This is a 6-month fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension. We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Significant journals publishing or transferable professional experience.
• Excellent understanding of open access, including business models, sales models, policy initiatives, and the opportunities, sensitivities, and challenges of open access models.
• Strong understanding of academic publishing, including editorial processes, production processes, marketing, industry trends, systems, competitors, and technology.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with both internal and external parties.
• Analytical and forecasting ability to review trends and align development appropriately.

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies. We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts. We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.