Associate Commissioning Editor

Job Description

Job Purpose To grow and strengthen Sages portfolio of medical and health sciences journals in alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. The primary focus is on acquiring and commissioning high-quality, high-impact journals through active market engagement and relationship-building with academic institutions, research societies, and relevant organizations. The role requires a strong commitment to editorial excellence, global relevance, marketability, and rigorous peer review standards. Key Responsibilities Strategic Implementation & Business Development Drive the expansion of Sage’s medical journals portfolio in line with strategic growth plans. Develop and execute a robust commissioning strategy for Sage India with measurable goals. Identify, evaluate, and acquire journals that align with Sage’s editorial and commercial priorities, including both core and Spectrum services portfolios. Maintain and update stakeholder records, tracking engagement and follow-up actions. Market Engagement & Brand Building Represent Sage at national and international medical conferences, workshops, and institutional meetings to raise the company’s profile and generate acquisition leads. Build and maintain relationships with editors, academic societies, research institutions, and think tanks. Monitor and report on market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to inform strategy. Develop and deliver presentations and workshops to promote Sage’s journals and author services. Editorial & Commercial Evaluation Prepare and present Journal Summaries for internal evaluation, ensuring alignment with Sage’s global publishing policies. Conduct comprehensive editorial and market assessments, including analysis of the competitive landscape, society/editor credentials, and commercial viability. Prepare detailed profit and loss (P&L) projections and determine appropriate pricing strategies. Contracting & Internal Coordination Manage the end-to-end contracting process, from proposal development to final agreement execution. Liaise with internal departments including Sales, Production, Peer Review, Marketing, Customer Service, and Finance to facilitate successful journal onboarding. Ensure timely issuance, review, and execution of all contracts and related documentation. Maintain complete records of all journal acquisition paperwork and ensure accurate handover to editorial and production teams. Skills & Competencies Strong relationship-building skills with academic and institutional stakeholders. Proven track record in medical publishing or commissioning, with a clear understanding of the academic market. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities. Sound commercial and financial acumen; ability to assess journal performance and viability. Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret market and performance data. Strong project and time management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Comfortable working in a collaborative, multicultural, and fast-paced environment. Willingness to travel frequently for business development and stakeholder engagement. Qualifications & Experience Education: Master’s degree in medicine, dentistry, life sciences, or related fields. Alternatively, a strong graduate qualification with demonstrable relevant experience. Experience: Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in medical journal publishing, commissioning, or a similar business development role. Experience in client engagement, lead generation, contract negotiation, and academic relationship management. Desirable: Familiarity with Sage’s journal programmes. Experience working in an international and cross-functional publishing environment. Key Behaviors Proactive and self-motivated Passionate about academic publishing and commissioning Detail-oriented and organized Persuasive and confident in negotiations Flexible and adaptable to change Accountable and results-driven Collaborative team player Willingness to travel as required