Commissioning Editor - FTC (12 months maternity cover)

Role: Commissioning Editor - Fixed term contract (12 months)

Location: London - Hybrid

Closing date: 20th June 2026

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are pioneers in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature. 

At Springer Nature, we recognise that talent is developed through a range of career paths. We encourage applications from individuals with strong transferable skills, provided they are supported by relevant experience that shows how those skills have been successfully applied in practice. Our hiring approach balances skills, experience, and potential to ensure each role is fulfilled with both short term effectiveness and long-term growth in mind.  

The Springer Nature Journals Group aims to support researchers in communicating and advancing discovery for a better world. We do this by providing a trusted environment in which researchers can quickly, easily and transparently share their discoveries, data and research stories.

The Collections Management and Acquisition Team is a division within the Publishing Performance & Intelligence group providing expertise and dedicated resources to support the growth of commissioned content across the SN Journal portfolio.

About the Role

The Commissioning Editor is responsible for attracting high-quality content into key Springer Nature journals via the creation of Topical Collections. Increasing commissioned content is an essential part of our strategy to grow our Springer Nature journal portfolios and as such appropriate topic identification is critical. The Commissioning Editor will work with our Editorial Board Members and with our data scientists and analysts to ensure topic selection benefits from being data driven. Similarly, identification of an appropriate Guest Editor is key to a Collection’s success; the Commissioning Editor will reach out to high-level active researchers and encourage them to engage in Topical Collections in Springer Nature journals either as an editor or an author. This is a rare opportunity to join and help shape a new and growing team at a pivotal time.

Role Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for planning and implementing of commissioning strategies on key journals - Business Development, Market Intelligence
• Identify appropriate topics for Collections, using data analysis tools to perform market share and competitor analysis - Data analytics/Quantitative Skills, Market Intelligence, Business Insights
• Identify, recruit and engage Guest Editors and potential authors to edit a Collection or submit their research articles - Balances Stakeholder
• Plan and manage the Collection pipeline against an ambitious publication target - Project Management, Publishing Workflows & Systems, Drives Results
• Define and implement best practices across the Collections lifecycle - Operational Excellence, Adaptability
• Build and leverage relationships with internal and external editorial communities - Building Networks, Balances Stakeholder
• Engage with our Marketing teams to coordinate and improve the promotion of our Collections, and develop new ways to reach out to the external communities served by our journals- Market Intelligence

Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Essential

• Demonstrable planning and organizational skills

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in a STEM discipline

• Strong data analysis and reporting skills

• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal

• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders

• Adaptability and resilience to change

• Ability to work quickly and efficiently on own initiative as well as part of a team

• A creative mindset and the ability to bring energy, ideas and new approaches 

Desirable

• Practical awareness of the importance and key aspects of research ethics and open access publishing

• Ability to directly query data is desirable

• Excellent presentation skills

• Previous experience of scholarly or academic publishing

This role is based in our London King's Cross office on a hybrid working basis with 2 days a week in the office required. 

In return, we offer a competitive salary range and great employee benefits.

To apply: please submit your CV and cover letter.

At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress – and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion   

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/

#LI-CE1

Job Posting End Date:

21-06-2026