Interim Director Peer Review Management

About the role

Nature Portfolio is seeking an Interim Director Peer Review Management to lead editorial support operations and shape the future of manuscript handling and peer review support across its global journal portfolio. Day-to-day, you will lead a large international team, oversee high-quality peer review support services, drive workflow and operational improvements, partner with editorial, publishing, and technology stakeholders, and champion data-driven and technology-enabled solutions. The role is a maternity cover contract based in London or Pune on a hybrid working model.

What you’ll do

• Lead a global Peer Review Management organization serving Nature Portfolio journals, attracting, developing, and retaining high-performing talent across the function
• Oversee the delivery of a high-quality peer review support service for editors, authors, and reviewers
• Drive improvements in manuscript handling efficiency, service levels, and operational performance through publishing workflow expertise, process optimization, and operational excellence
• Partner with editorial, publishing, and technology teams to implement system enhancements, workflow improvements, and new operational processes
• Act as a key stakeholder in the development and adoption of technology-enabled solutions, including AI-assisted tools and data-driven approaches
• Apply strong decision quality, data analytics, and quantitative skills to use operational data, performance metrics, and industry insights to identify opportunities for optimization and service improv
• Demonstrate courage in leading the implementation of new policies, guidelines, and support processes, driving change and addressing complex operational challenges
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the publishing ecosystem, applying conflict management skills to resolve issues and align competing priorities

What you’ll bring

• Significant experience in scientific, scholarly, or academic publishing
• Proven experience leading large, geographically distributed teams
• Strong operational leadership skills with a record of delivering service improvements and managing complex workflows
• Experience managing change and leading cross-functional initiatives
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and metrics to inform decisions
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
• Strong people leadership experience, including coaching, talent development, and organizational leadership
• Understanding of the research ecosystem and the needs of researchers, authors, and editors

Nice to have

• Experience working with publishing technologies, workflow systems, and process automation initiatives
• Familiarity with AI-enabled operational solutions and data-driven service optimization
• Experience managing budgets and operational planning within a complex organization
• Understanding of peer review processes and research integrity standards

Skills