Senior Managing Editor

Date Approved:

The Senior Managing Editor (SME) is a full-time position primarily servicing the assigned KGL Editorial client accounts’ editorial and production services. The position reports to an Editorial Director and supervises a staff that may include but is not limited to managing editors, senior editorial assistants, editorial assistants, senior production specialists, and production specialists.

As a member of KGL Editorial’s leadership team, the SME plays an essential role in furthering the company’s mission to provide the highest level of editorial services to its customers through a combination of sound strategic management and keen attention to the requirements of the partnership.

The SME is responsible for making sure that the highest standard of editorial service is maintained in the work they perform directly on the client account and through the work performed by the support staff assigned to the client account under the SME’s management. To support assigned KGL Editorial client accounts, the SME not only will ensure that the high-volume work moves through established processes to meet the service level agreements but will also offer creative solutions and drive efficiencies as appropriate.

In addition to managing regular assigned clients, the SME may be asked to oversee project work at the request of the Editorial Director; this may include but is not limited to outreach efforts to drive new business, helping to onboard new clients, and special projects such as editor transition support, peer review management systems configuration, or workflow assessments.

Strong leadership skills are required such as the ability to prioritize and manage work on time and to specification, to effectively lead staff, and to communicate both effectively and professionally, both in form and content. This is an inward- and outward-facing role, and our partners expect to interact with a polished professional who demonstrates leadership and oversees the consistent delivery of quality work product and participates actively as a member of various industry organizations. Technical acumen is of critical importance as many of the workflows as well as staff and task management rely on technical solutions.

Oversee operations of the assigned KGL Editorial client accounts to ensure quality service, process efficiency, and cost-effective management of their resources

Participate in phone calls and meetings with assigned KGL Editorial client account stakeholders, KGL Editorial colleagues, or others

Manage all services delivered to assigned KGL Editorial client accounts according to contractual requirements and in accordance with the highest standards of scholarly publishing

Compile data and prepare periodic management reports for distribution to assigned KGL Editorial clients, highlighting productivity and other achievements

Support technological growth and development, as appropriate, to serve the clients and underscore the company’s distinctive competencies

Expert knowledge of one or more manuscript management systems (e.g. Editorial Manager, ScholarOne Manuscripts, eJournal Press, etc.) and/or other software or applications integral to assigned KGL Editorial client accounts’ workflows and reporting

In conjunction with the Editorial Director, shape the organizational structure of assigned KGL Editorial client accounts as needs evolve to meet operational and business goals

Define assigned KGL Editorial client accounts’ employee roles and responsibilities, position descriptions, reporting relationships, and compensation in line with business goals and with the approval of the Editorial Director

Evaluate employee performance in complying with established policies and procedures that contribute to a congenial and productive work culture

Proactively train and supervise direct reports to ensure understanding of, ability and capacity to achieve, and compliance with account objectives and goals to nurture employee development

Familiarity with assigned KGL Editorial client accounts agreements, notifying Editorial Director of any deviations requested by clients or changes that may make sense given changing work practices

Assist with projections for budgeting and reforecasting and monitor financial performance as requested

Prepare client accounts invoices

Regular Full Time