Title: Managing Editor, Scientific Publications

Department/Unit: Research/Scientific Affairs

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: This position is located onsite at the APTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA.

About APTA

Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health?

Then you want to work for APTA!

APTA is the trusted leader for the physical therapy profession, representing more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students. Our approximately 150 employees support the association’s mission to build a community that advances the profession of physical therapy to improve the health of society.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA has outstanding employee benefits, including flexible work schedules, generous retirement contributions, and travel subsidies for employees who choose public and active transportation.

Summary

This position will lead the journal program within the Research Strategies Department of the Scientific Affairs Unit, collaborating with out-of-house journal editors and staff colleagues in the publication of APTA’s flagship peer-reviewed journal, PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal. Contributes to the advancement of scientific publication in physical therapy/rehabilitation with an eye toward innovation and PTJ’s expressed purpose of helping to improve patient care. Manages the journal’s staff, editorial/production contractors, and the relationship with APTA’s co-publishing partner, Oxford University Press (OUP). Oversees and directs Editorial Office operations and editorial/production and ensures quality control. Partners with the Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Board, and OUP in developing best-practice policies and procedures for peer review integrity and for navigating new developments in the field of scientific publication and dissemination. Collaborates with editors and staff to implement strategies to enhance author experience, content dissemination, and reader engagement.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with the Editor-in-Chief to refine and implement the journal’s 5-year growth plan in concert with APTA’s strategic plan.
• Works closely with the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board on day-to-day editorial matters.
• Works closely with the Editor-in-Chief to develop and support the Editorial Board.
• Manages relationships with co-publisher teams, including production, digital, marketing, and finance.
• Works closely with the Director of the Research Strategies Department on financial and budgetary planning.
• Oversees all aspects of the article submission, peer review, and publication processes.
• Oversees journal webinar and podcast initiatives, collaborating with other APTA units.
• Collaborates with other departments across APTA on journal-based content for continuing education.
• Oversees social media strategy in collaboration with editors, staff, and co-publisher.
• Works with editors, APTA Scientific Affairs, Communications, Public Relations, and others to identify articles with potential for important news stories.
• Oversees technical copyeditor and production contractors.
• Works with APTA Legal Affairs to manage agreements with vendors, independent contractors, and editors.
• Provides and collaborates with co-publisher on regular statistical reports.
• Edits special content.
• Serves as liaison to APTA business development team for advertising.
• Keeps APTA leadership, Editor in Chief, and Editorial Board informed on trends and best practices in the health care scholarly publishing community.
• Assists with developing agenda materials and documents associated with journal and APTA Board of Directors meetings. 
• Implements work plans related to activities of the Research Strategies Department, which align with organizational priorities.
• Accountable for meeting performance expectations and metrics for department and respective budget activities.
• Contributes to quality assurance and continuous quality/performance improvement in department activities, including supporting unit leader in annual assessments of respective budget activities.
• Supports the Research Department team in the implementation of the Association’s programs, priorities, and projects in partnership with the unit lead and staff colleagues.

Staff Expectations

• Upholds and fosters team values
• Complies with all APTA policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to foster the achievement of association priorities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s required; Master’s degree in relevant field preferred
• 5 years of experience in health care/scientific editing and publishing
• At least 2 years of experience of leading, supervising and developing staff
• Experience in managing and building relationships with multiple departments and with volunteers; tact, diplomacy, and good judgment
• Ability to manage multiple vendors
• Budget management skills a plus
• Exceptional presentation, written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills
• Sensitivity in dealing with authors and editors
• Association work experience preferred
• Project management skills
• Proficiency in American Medical Association editorial style
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, Excel, and other similar software
• Proficiency with web-based software and databases; experience with ScholarOne preferred

Travel Requirements

0 - 10% - local, National

How To Apply

Please send resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, when applying.

Principals only; no agencies; no phone calls, please. Candidates selected to participate in an interview will be contacted by Human Resources.

The American Physical Therapy Association is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

APTA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information, please visit e-verify.uscis.gov.

APTA is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and invites and welcomes applicants with diversity of experience, mindset, and skills to add value to APTA and our staff community.