At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative publishing strategies and drive growth in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join IOP Publishing, a not-for-profit society publisher making science accessible.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, 33+ days holiday, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of scientific publishing and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge of STM publishing and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with global reach and commitment to social good.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY. Making science better, together. Be part of a community working together to make science better. A society publisher with the perfect blend of not-for-profit purpose and commercial perspective. Here, we help each other be the best we can be: a team big enough to impact and small enough to care.
At IOP Publishing, our mission is to make science accessible, discoverable, and impactful. As our new Head of Publishing Strategy and Performance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our publishing programme and ensuring we continue to serve the global scientific community with excellence. This is a strategic, relationship-driven, high visibility role—perfect for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of publishing, data, market insight, and organisational strategy.
About The Role: In this influential leadership position, you will partner closely with our Chief Publishing Officer, the Senior Publishing Management Team, and colleagues across Publishing, Sales, Finance, and Technology. Your work will help us understand market shifts, respond to industry trends, and make confident, data-informed decisions.
What will you be doing?
- Lead the development of future-facing publishing strategies that drive growth, respond to market change, and unlock new opportunities.
- Partner with leaders across the company to shape commercial and regional plans that deliver on IOPP’s goals and objectives.
- Track and interpret performance against strategic objectives, identifying areas for course correction.
- Lead and develop our Insights Team, ensuring high-quality business, customer, and market intelligence supports decision making across IOPP.
- Build and maintain strong networks across the scholarly publishing sector to keep IOPP at the forefront of industry developments.
This role is central to helping IOPP stay agile, informed, and aligned in a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.
About You: You will bring a blend of strategic thinking, commercial understanding, and exceptional communication skills. We are looking for someone who is energised by complex problem solving and confident influencing at senior levels.
Knowledge & previous experience:
- Deep knowledge of STM journal publishing, industry trends, and the needs of researchers, funders, librarians, and learned societies.
- Experience shaping or implementing publishing strategy, commercial plans, or market analysis.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and guide high-quality decision making.
- A collaborative working style, skilled at building trusted relationships across teams.
- The confidence to lead conversations, influence without direct authority, and communicate complex ideas with clarity.
- The ability to see the bigger picture while staying connected to operational realities.
- A degree is essential, and postgraduate experience in the physical sciences (MSc or PhD) is helpful but not required.
We pride ourselves on being a flexible and inclusive employer; if you have a preference to work flexibly, please do apply.
Who We Are: IOP Publishing is a society-owned scientific publisher, providing impact, recognition, and value for the scientific community. As the publishing arm of the Institute of Physics, 100% of our profit goes towards public and scientific good.
Why work with us at IOP Publishing:
- Purpose: We are a world leader in the development of electronic publishing for the scientific community - working in the interests of science and scientists, we aim to maximise the impact of the research we publish.
- Culture: We offer a truly international culture with offices in Europe, Asia and the US and our reach is global. Our culture is the perfect blend of dedicated and intelligent professionalism, informal, friendly collaboration and authenticity with a social conscience.
- Financial Benefits: a competitive salary starting from £60,000 (Band D), an excellent pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution), a discretionary annual bonus scheme and a range of other useful and cost‑saving benefits available through our benefits platform.
- Health and Wellbeing: 33+ days holiday.
Head of Publishing Strategy & Performance in Bristol employer: Physics World
Contact Detail:
Physics World Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Publishing Strategy & Performance in Bristol
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the publishing industry! Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into unadvertised opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Don’t just talk about your experience—show it! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your achievements in publishing strategy and performance. This will help you stand out when networking or during interviews.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Research IOP Publishing thoroughly before your interview. Understand their mission, values, and recent developments in the industry. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our community at IOP Publishing.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Publishing Strategy & Performance in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Publishing Strategy & Performance role. Highlight your experience in STM journal publishing and how it aligns with our mission at IOP Publishing.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: We want to see your strategic mindset! Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've developed and implemented successful publishing strategies that drove growth and responded to market changes.
Highlight Your Collaborative Skills: This role is all about building relationships, so don’t forget to mention your experience working with cross-functional teams. Share how you’ve influenced decisions and fostered collaboration in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of our publishing programme.
How to prepare for a job interview at Physics World
✨Know Your Publishing Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in STM journal publishing. Familiarise yourself with recent developments and challenges in the industry. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful conversations about how to shape future strategies.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare specific examples of how you've previously developed or implemented successful publishing strategies. Be ready to discuss how you used data and market insights to drive growth and respond to changes. This will demonstrate your ability to think strategically and make informed decisions.
✨Build Relationships on the Spot
Since this role is relationship-driven, practice how you can quickly establish rapport with interviewers. Think about how you can connect your experiences with their needs. Use active listening and ask insightful questions to show that you value collaboration and communication.
✨Be Data-Driven
Brush up on your numerical and analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've interpreted data in past roles to guide decision-making. Highlight any tools or methodologies you've used to track performance against strategic objectives, as this will resonate well with their focus on data-informed decisions.