Description

Position Summary
The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (JAAPL) is seeking an experienced Managing Editor to oversee the day-to-day editorial and production operations of the Journal.

Working closely with the Editor-in-Chief, editorial staff, publisher, and editorial board, the Managing Editor is responsible for coordinating the peer review process, managing manuscript workflow, ensuring adherence to editorial standards, overseeing production schedules, and serving as the primary operational liaison with publishing and technology partners.  

This is an ideal opportunity for a highly organized publishing professional who enjoys managing complex editorial processes while working independently in a fully remote environment.

Compensation
This is a fully remote, part-time position (approximately 20 hours per week), with flexibility to accommodate publication deadlines and the ebb and flow of Journal work.

Applicants are asked to include their salary expectations with their application.

To Apply
Please submit:

• Cover Letter       
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Salary Expectations
• Contact information for three professional references

To:  office@aapl.org 

AAPL: One Regency Drive, 2nd Floor - Bloomfield, CT   06002 - office@aapl.org 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will remain open until the position is filled.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
Editorial Operations

•         Manage the editorial workflow for all manuscript submissions from initial receipt through publication.
•         Review incoming manuscripts for completeness, formatting, adherence to Journal policies, and submission requirements.
•         Coordinate peer review activities through the Journal's manuscript management system.
•         Monitor manuscript progress and proactively address workflow delays.
•         Communicate with authors throughout the submission, review, and publication process.
•         Support editors throughout the editorial process and help ensure production deadlines are consistently met.
•         Maintain records of peer reviewers and prepare the Journal's annual reviewer recognition.
•         Facilitate Book and Media Reviews in coordination with Book and Media Review Editor 

Production and Quality Assurance

•         Conduct comprehensive editorial review of page proofs for grammar, consistency, style, and accuracy.
•         Collaborate with the Editor-in-Chief on final review and approval of issue proofs prior to publication.
•         Coordinate transmission of final accepted manuscripts and publication materials to the publisher according to production schedules.
•         Ensure all required copyright transfer and authorship documentation is received and maintained.

Publishing Operations

•         Serve as the primary liaison with publishing partners, including the publisher, manuscript management provider, online hosting provider, and other editorial service vendors.
•         Coordinate contracts, invoices, service issues, and ongoing vendor relationships.
•         Evaluate emerging publishing technologies and services, including research integrity, plagiarism detection, and artificial intelligence tools, as appropriate.

Reporting and Governance

•         Attend Journal Editorial Board meetings and prepare reports on manuscript activity and publication metrics.
•         Prepare reports on submissions, acceptance rates, publication activity, and editorial performance for the Editorial Board, AAPL Council, and membership.
•         Consult regularly with the Editor-in-Chief regarding editorial policies, operational issues, and strategic initiatives.
•         Coordinate with legal counsel regarding publishing matters when required.
•         Meets with AAPL leadership as needed, in coordination with the Editor-in-Chief

Qualifications
Required

•         Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
•         Three or more years of experience managing editorial operations for a scholarly, scientific, medical, or academic journal.
•         Exceptional written communication, grammar, proofreading, and copyediting skills.
•         Experience with manuscript submission and peer review management systems.
•         Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
•         Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work independently in a remote environment.
•         Demonstrated professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information.

Preferred

•         Experience working with medical, legal, or scientific journals.
•         Familiarity with scholarly publishing ethics and research integrity standards.
•         Experience with plagiarism detection and AI-assisted editorial tools.
•         Experience working with publishers and online journal hosting platforms.
•         Knowledge of copyright and publication policies.
•         Experience with Manuscript Manager

Desired Competencies

•         Outstanding organizational and time management skills
•         Strong editorial judgment
•         Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities
•         Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
•         Analytical problem-solving skills
•         High level of initiative and accountability
•         Commitment to accuracy and continuous process improvement