Director, Journals Publishing

Job Summary

Since its founding in 1940, the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has championed leading-edge education, research, and quality impacting the full spectrum of surgical oncology and cancer care. Its members in 70 countries embrace the values that have enabled cancer surgeons to continually expand their knowledge, refine their decision-making skills, and drive better patient outcomes. The Society's mission is to improve multidisciplinary patient care by advancing cancer surgery science, education, and practice worldwide. Today, SSO is a dynamic global community of cancer surgeons shaping advancements in the profession to deliver the highest quality surgical care for cancer patients.

Located in Rosemont, IL, the Society is searching for a seasoned professional to take on the pivotal role of Director, Journals Publishing. This position is a unique opportunity for an individual with a deep understanding of surgery, oncology, or related fields and a proven track record of seven to 10 years in STM journal editorial and publishing operations. The successful candidate will oversee the Society's two journals, one hybrid and one Open-Access, which publish over 900 articles annually.

This full-time position requires a critical and innovative thinker with broad knowledge of science and medicine and experience working with the medical and surgical communities. Candidates must have excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills and have experience working in a society environment with surgeons and other medical professionals who demand exacting attention to publishing requirements. The Director will report to both journals' SSO Chief Executive Officer and Editors-in-Chief. Ability to work effectively with vendors, especially the Society's contracted publishers, Springer Nature and Elsevier, to coordinate growth and enhancement in the Journals' impact and performance is key. At the same time, attention to ongoing editorial, production, and content development support for Editors, Editorial Board members, authors, and peer reviewers is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the Society's publishing interests and strategies as the primary staff support for the Journals' Editors-in-Chief, Executive Editors, Deputy Editors, Associate Editors, and Editorial Boards;
• Oversee publishing activities related to the development, focus, growth, and impact of the Journals with the Journals' Editors, the Society's members, and global author markets to attract high-quality submissions;
• Work with peer review, copyediting, production, marketing, communications, digital development, and publishing management staff at both the Society and the Publishers;
• Coordinate with Editors, Publishers, and vendor services to compile and analyze data for publishing strategies and reports;
• Oversee the building of articles, calendars, tables of contents, and article collections;
• Oversee the preparation of weekly social media and promotional efforts to boost readership and awareness.
• Manage and reorganize, as necessary, a team of off-site editorial staff with multiple editorial, production, social media, and digital tasks, employed directly by the Society;
• Engage freelancers/facilitators, as necessary, to perform ongoing and special tasks, including editorial and design features;
• Oversee transfer processes of manuscripts between the Journals;
• Monitor initiatives and practices in STM publishing and recommend actions for the Journals to remain competitive and effective while in compliance with research integrity and ethics standards;
• Initiate innovative marketing and digital technologies to attract submissions, improve discoverability, and drive usage and revenues;
• Recommend articles and authors for inclusion in the Editor-led Podcast series for both journals.
• Champion the Journals in developing business opportunities and scientific content that adds value to the journals and has a positive financial result for the Society.
• Collaborate on strategic initiatives, as well as benchmark and evaluate ongoing Journal financial health and profitability of development efforts;
• Represent the Journals and the Society at industry and academic events, and with external stakeholders and policy makers;
• Lead the planning of Journal sessions at the Society's Annual Meeting.

Skillset Requirements

• Master's degree in a science or health-related field or business, English, or other complementary discipline;

• Seven-to-10 years of progressively responsible experience in STM journal editorial and publishing operations, working with publishers, Societies, marketing professionals,

• Editors-in-Chief and Editorial Boards;
• Critical and innovative thinking, with excellent communication and customer (author) relations/interface skills;
• Ability to effectively and collaboratively manage a team of off-site editorial staff with multiple editorial, production, social media, and digital tasks, employed directly by the Society;
• Knowledge of STM publishing business models and approaches, especially open access requirements and considerations;
• Familiarity with the standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, as well as other global publishing association requirements;
• In-depth knowledge of manuscript submission systems, including plagiarism and other ethics tools. The Journals use ScholarOne.
• Ability to coordinate and implement effective social media and guide others in social media tasks;
• Understanding of Publisher performance requirements and ability to interface effectively to expedite contractual obligations and innovation;
• Broad knowledge of science and medicine, experience working with the scientific/medical community;
• Demonstrated success in strategically and innovatively concerning content acquisition and business development.
• Ability to analyze and implement marketing and financial programs and strategic plans, and work with vendors and consultants where appropriate;
• Ability to work collaboratively with Society staff, as well as with marketing/communications and digital specialists at both the Society and the Publishers;
• Knowledge and advanced experience with Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel;
• Ability to learn new technologies as required;
• Occasional travel, including international, as required;
• Valid authorization to work in the United States.

Society Values

Professionalism 

Advocate for the cancer patient through integrity and ethical conduct.

Quality

Foster quality through improved understanding of cancer biology, compassionate communication, and optimizing outcomes across the cancer care continuum.

Lifelong Learning

Provide ongoing education in multidisciplinary cancer care.

Leadership

Provide leadership to the public and health professionals on the importance of surgery in multidisciplinary cancer care and to develop the discipline and its providers for the future.

Discovery

Committed to innovation and fostering better patient care.

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We recognize that diversity enriches our members' experiences and perspectives and is crucial in driving excellence in patient care, research, and education.

Work Location and Benefits

This position is based in Rosemont, IL, one "L" stop from O'Hare Airport. The position is hybrid, with the expectation that the Director will be present in Rosemont for up to three days per month. When those trips are required, travel and lodging will be provided at an adjacent hotel. That opportunity is also available if the Director wishes to work part-time or full-time in the Rosemont office. Business travel is anticipated to include two to three meetings/conventions per year and occasional smaller meetings. A strong and competitive salary with comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, 401K, PTO)  will be available to individuals meeting the above requirements.