Publications Coordinator in Nottingham

The PSA Publications Manager supports and develops the PSA’s publishing operations, which encompass a suite of academic journals (currently four highly regarded journals and a quarterly magazine, Political Insight), wider marketing activities, and a variety of research reports and other ad hoc outputs. The role works closely with the wider staff team, the four editorial teams, key trustees, PSA members and external partners, including our publishing partner, SAGE Publishing, to develop and deliver an ambitious publishing programme. The Publications Manager advances the PSA’s strategic priorities and promotes Political Studies as an academic discipline by:

• Supporting the development and implementation of the PSA’s publishing strategy to ensure the continued success of the suite and value for money.
• Developing new publishing operational approaches to reach different audiences, including innovations in marketing activities and content.
• Providing specialist publishing advice and services to the organisation as a whole.

Immediate Operational Priorities:

• In partnership with staff, trustees and editorial teams, developing a PSA academic publishing strategy, including a clear identity and unique selling point for each journal.
• Working with SAGE Publishing to strengthen cross-journal collaboration and retain high quality submissions within the PSA suite.
• Leading on publishing innovation including scoping and, if viable, launching a new journal or/and special issues.
• Supporting academic publishing activities outside the core SAGE contract.
• Reviewing marketing, engagement and communication activities to ensure impact, quality and value for money.

The role works closely with the Operations & Finance team on governance, budgeting, grants and awards, digital systems and delivery, and liaises closely with the PSA’s publishing partner (SAGE Publishing), the journal editorial teams and boards, the Publications Sub-committee and Trustees, and external providers. In addition, the post-holder will be required to work in collaboration with the PSA’s Membership, Events and Communications team to deliver impactful marketing and engagement activities and may be required to line manage editorial and content staff or contractors.

• Ensuring continued improvement in publishing operations and exploring the potential of new operating models to ensure impact and value for money.
• Developing and implementing PSA’s publishing portfolio strategy and operations.
• Maintaining and developing publication standards (including editorial style guides and branding guidelines) and ensuring their consistent application across the PSA’s publishing activities.
• Maintaining an overview of issues, debates, risks and developments in publishing, in particular around open access, AI, increased litigation, and the availability of peer reviewers and editors.
• Ensuring the PSA’s work is informed by the latest trends in publications design, production and dissemination, and that good practice is followed and shared across the PSA’s office team and committees.
• Potentially, supporting the work of the Publications and Digital Content Officer and delegating appropriately.
• Managing day-to-day contractual relationships with publishing partners, liaising with editorial teams, production and marketing teams to meet each journal’s objectives.
• Providing and managing support for the editors of our journals, including monitoring their use of the budget and wider support, and helping to develop and deliver special issues, awards, workshops and other initiatives.
• Ensuring the PSA’s Publications Sub-committee and Trustees have effective oversight of the journals portfolio and performance, through regular reports, meetings and consultations.
• Working with PSA leaders and publishing partners to formulate strategies to develop and future-proof the PSA’s journal portfolio in response to new developments in the publishing landscape.
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities to market and promote the journals, including at events and conferences, and supporting the editors to this end.

Managing the PSA’s wider publishing activities:

• Working alongside the PSA’s Membership, Events, Communications team to ensure the best use of communication channels to market the academic publishing activities.
• Liaising with the academic editor(s), external suppliers and freelancers to develop innovative content.
• Commissioning and/or overseeing the publication of reports and other outputs arising from key PSA activities, including research arising from our grants, other commissioned research, events and reports.
• Liaising with others to ensure the PSA website is up to date and has the necessary content.
• Developing and implementing a new publishing strategy and operating model to ensure the growth and sustainability of the PSA suite and wider activities.

All members of staff are required to be professional, co-operative and flexible in line with the needs of the post and the organisation. There is some requirement to work outside normal office hours to support PSA events and publication deadlines as well as, on occasion, travel around the UK. Compliance with PSA policy, including absence, appraisal, and health & safety, as well as the GDPR.

To be successful in this role you will need a thorough understanding of academic and professional publishing and the changing publishing environment. You will be highly organised, an excellent communicator, and confident in engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior academics, editors, service providers and partners.

Terms of Employment (stated on a full-time basis): If performed full-time, the role is 37.5 hours a week, excluding lunch. You may occasionally be required to work evenings and weekends (including taking part in the Annual Conference), for which you will earn time off in lieu. If performed full-time, you will be entitled to 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays and days between Christmas and New Year. Employer pension contribution (10% for an employee contribution of 5% of salary). The whole team endeavours to collaborate in the office regularly, especially on Wednesdays. This role is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (3 days per week), with salary and annual leave pro-rated accordingly.