What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Editorial Operations position at The American Physical Society?
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Strategy :
- Lead the editorial operations (EO) team in optimizing end-to-end processes through operational excellence frameworks (e.g. Lean Six Sigma methodologies)
Convert organizational strategy into defined priorities and actionable goals for each functional area.
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) for efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction to drive data-driven decision-making.
Champion process automation, workflow efficiency, and standardization to improve time to publication, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Ensure alignment of editorial operations strategies with APS’s broader strategic goals, fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Other duties as assigned.
Continuous Improvement :
Establish a culture of continuous improvement , encouraging staff engagement in identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions.
Monitor workflow bottlenecks, resource allocation, and publication times at various stages to streamline operations.
Conduct root cause analysis and corrective action plans with the Process Optimization Manager to resolve workflow issues proactively and prevent recurrence.
Facilitate change management to ensure the effective adoption of new workflows, processes, and tools while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and adaptability.
Partner with cross-functional leadership to uphold portfolio integrity through cohesive operational policies and consistent quality standards.
Team Development & Leadership :
Provide structured performance management, ensuring individual and team objectives align with APS’s strategic goals.
Prioritize skill and capability development to drive informed compensation and promotion decisions, ensuring staff growth, career progression, and retention.
Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration :
Serve as the primary liaison between the EO team, Publications Team, and APS leadership to align operations with strategic objectives.
Maintain and strengthen relationships with publication partners, editorial boards, and key stakeholders to drive innovation and efficiency.
Represent EO and the Publications Team in relevant APS committee meetings to shape organization-wide strategies, goals, and initiatives.
Lead change efforts by equipping team members with the knowledge, resources, and guidance required to adopt, implement, and sustain workflow enhancements.
Financial & Resource Management :
Evaluate and optimize vendor partnerships to drive cost-effective and high-quality publishing support.
Implement structured cost-benefit analysis to assess investments in new systems, tools, or process enhancements.
Develop and oversee annual goals, budgets, and departmental expenses, including forecasting and optimizing resource allocation to meet budget adherence and quality standards.
Identify and implement new, innovative features that enhance APS’s reputation as a leading scholarly publisher.
Scope & Relationships :
Internal : Collaborates daily with the CPO and Publications Leadership Team. Oversees the Editorial Operations management team and engages with various other APS departments.
Frequent contact with representatives of APS publication partners, other APS leaders and staff and members of key APS Committees related to publications.
Direct Reports : associate director of editorial and publications operations, manager, and publications partner relations.
Indirect Reports : All staff within the Editorial and Publications Operations team; total team size is approximately 30 employees.
Qualifications : Education :
Advanced degree preferred, preferably a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or other relevant advanced degrees.
Preferred certifications :
Certification in Six Sigma, Lean Management, Operational Excellence, business process management, continuous improvement (e.g., Shingo, Kaizen), or equivalent methodologies.
Experience :
Experience within STM publishing, association, or a related industry with a strong emphasis on operations is preferred
A combination of experiences including some or all of the following is preferred :
Demonstrated experience managing operational teams with a focus on continuous improvement
Proven experience with scholarly publications operations and or editorial operations within the academic publishing industry and or similar industries.
Extensive experience with and knowledge of scholarly publication and editorial operation trends, including open access and open research – and other forces currently shaping the publishing and editorial industry
Proven project management and / or leadership.
Proven business planning and profit and loss management experience
Proven change management leadership experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
Demonstrated experience in leading change management, process optimization, and project management.
Proficiency in technology integration, with experience implementing publishing software, workflow automation tools, and digital platforms.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments and organizational levels.
Ability to clearly articulate complex processes and strategies to audiences at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment and promote inclusivity.
Proficiency in office suites (MS Office, Google Suite).
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative work environment.
Travel :
Salary :
About The American Physical Society The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents more than 50, members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world.