Assistant Managing Editor

Job Purpose: The Sage Open Assistant Managing Editor (AME) will be responsible for managing the peer review process of Sage Open journals, overseeing editorial board activities, and ensuring the smooth operation of the peer review platform, Sage Track. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently. The AME will maintain close contact with the Sage Open Managing Editor, collaborate with journal editors, authors, reviewers, and other Sage staff globally, and ensure high-quality standards are met in all editorial activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Editorial Board Management:

• Assess and vet potential editorial board members, ensuring their suitability for specific journals.
• Monitor and report on the activity of existing editorial board members.
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with editorial board members, journal editors, authors, reviewers, and Sage staff.
• Regularly update and manage CRM software to ensure accurate records and streamline operations.

Peer Review Process Oversight:

• Ensure submitted manuscripts meet submission criteria and are prepared for the peer review process.
• Manage a designated number of manuscripts throughout the peer review process, ensuring timely transition after training.
• Identify, invite, and assign appropriate reviewers and Article Editors for each manuscript.
• Assist Article Editors in inviting and coordinating reviewer feedback through Sage Track.
• Follow up with editors, reviewers, and authors to ensure timely task completion.
• Ensure authors of accepted manuscripts complete necessary forms, including contributor and payment forms, via Sage Track.
• Review accepted manuscripts to ensure they meet all submission requirements before export to Sage Production, such as author contact information, editable files, permissions, and proper referencing style.
• Export finalized manuscripts to Sage Production Editor by the required deadlines.

Communication & Support:

• Respond to email inquiries from authors, editors, reviewers, and other stakeholders within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
• Provide clear, concise, and well-structured responses to all correspondence.
• Troubleshoot any issues related to the peer review process or Sage Track functionality, ensuring timely resolution.
• Maintain the Sage Track inbox, ensuring all relevant requests are addressed promptly.

Review & Decision Making:

• Evaluate peer review reports and make recommendations/decisions based on editorial reviews.
• Troubleshoot and ensure the proper functioning of the Sage Track site for the smooth operation of the peer review process.

Other Responsibilities:

• Meet or exceed productivity standards for the role.
• Communicate professionally and positively with editors, authors, reviewers, and colleagues.
• Monitor manuscript progress through each step of the peer review process.
• Forward any difficult communications from editors/authors to the supervisor for guidance, while also sharing positive feedback.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Prior experience in editorial board management is desirable.
• Bachelors degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Management, Arts, Science, or a related field. A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in publishing or a related industry is preferred.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and contribute ideas concisely and productively.
• Team-oriented, with the ability to support colleagues and other Sage Open Peer Review Associates or Editorial Assistants as needed.
• Proficient in MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on professionalism and clarity.

Additional Information:

• This position is based at the Sage India office, with collaboration across Sage offices globally.
• You will report directly to the Sage Open Peer Review Supervisor and work closely with other team members based in India and the US.