Job
Description
Peer Review- Optimization Specialist: As the title suggests, this role is designed for an individual contributor who comes with specialized expertise in one or more critical aspects of Peer Review and brings optimization in the area they specialize in. Specializations may include expertise in areas such as continuous improvement, journal health enhancement, editorial skills, project management, training, and vendor deliverables. For example, the Optimization specialist with expertise in editorial skills will serve as the key contact point for optimization of processes comprising Unusual Activity Detection Tool (UADT), iThenticate, and any task critical to minimizing Ethical issues. They will also be responsible for facilitating the peer review process for Sage journals, which accounts for 30% of the overall workload. About Our Team The Peer Review team is a dynamic and collaborative group dedicated to managing and facilitating the seamless journey of academic manuscripts from submission to decision on peer review. We serve as the central point of contact for authors, editors, and reviewers, ensuring the integrity, transparency, and efficiency of the peer review process. With a strong commitment to accuracy, responsiveness, and service excellence, we play a vital role in supporting the publication of high-quality scholarly research. What is your team’s key role in the business? The Peer Review team is a foundational part of Sage Publishing’s commitment to academic excellence. Peer review is the process by which experts in a relevant field evaluate a manuscript's quality, validity, and relevance before it is published in a journal. It ensures the integrity and credibility of scholarly research. As a Peer Review Associate (PRA), you will play a critical role in managing the end-to-end peer review process for scholarly journals using Sage Track. Our team’s responsibilities include screening incoming manuscripts for compliance with submission guidelines, coordinating reviewer assignments and follow-ups, and ensuring timely completion of tasks by editors, reviewers, and authors. We serve as the first point of contact for editorial queries, troubleshoot technical issues, maintain accurate records and templates, and ensure that accepted manuscripts are ready for production. Additionally, we act as a liaison between journal editors and Sage, upholding high standards of communication, organization, and responsiveness to support the timely and smooth operation of each journal’s peer review workflow. What other departments do you work closely with? We collaborate with several key departments to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow: Editorial: To ensure the smooth and timely progression of manuscripts at each stage of peer review, support editorial board needs, and uphold peer review standards. Production Operations: To make sure accepted manuscripts are ready for the production team. Customer Services: For handling author and reviewer queries and maintaining satisfaction. Journals Operations & APC Teams: For license management and processing Article Processing Charges (APCs). Commercial Sales & Marketing: To support journal growth and visibility through timely and quality-driven processes. Vendors: Partnering with external vendors for peer review support services. Key Accountabilities The PR Optimization Specialist (PR OS) holds a broad range of responsibilities, from overseeing the peer review process for complex journals to mentoring trainees. They may also assume specialist roles comprising optimization of tasks like iThenticate or UADT specialist. The PR OS should possess the ability to streamline a journal’s workflow, build relationships with editors, and, in essence, improve the overall health of the journal within a defined timeframe and handover the journal in good health. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for the PR-Specialist. You should be adept at data analysis and trend identification to enhance the efficiency of the peer review process. PR OS is responsible for optimizing the journal workflows and settling new journals within the peer review team thereby ensuring smooth journal transition. Collaborate effectively with global stakeholders and promptly bring up necessary challenges and opportunities for discussion. Troubleshoot and resolve concerns from Peer Review Team independently. Comprehend different journal workflows and work with the team members to refine the journal workflows. The PR OS is expected to be adaptable and flexible in their approach. At times, they may need to adjust or prioritize projects based on business needs. Optimize the existing processes like Manual Upload and Reviewer Selection Support. Test different automation tools and analyze their efficacy in the current process. Should assist with migration of manuscripts to ScholarOne on transition assignments. Should manage tasks, such as checking submitted manuscripts conforming to the journal workflow guidelines, inviting, assigning reviewers, and following up with editors, reviewers, and authors. Should work with a variety of stakeholders, including journal editors, reviewers, and Sage staff. This requires the ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and with different levels of knowledge. This may involve impromptu or periodical meetings after work hours. Contribute ideas and give feedback in a concise and productive way. Be available to provide support to peer review team members on select journals as needed and defined by supervisor. Engage in other activities, as needed, to achieve company and department goals. Provide support as back-up on tasks as assigned by the supervisor. Productivity Standards Timelines: Each individual journal will have pre-determined timelines for tasks, which you will be expected to meet or exceed. You will be required to adhere to the timelines assigned for different projects and assignments. Workload management - You will be expected to handle the workload in compliance with your task list. OS should manage journal workload equivalent to 30% of PRA workload as defined in yearly WAP. Respond to any email inquiries from journal editors, associate editors (if applicable), authors, reviewers, and other Sage staff within 24 hours of receipt (excluding weekends and holidays only), and respond in a clear, articulate, and organized manner. Occasional correspondence with the support staff at ScholarOne may be necessary to troubleshoot issues within Sage Track. Assist the journal editor and/or Sage staff with any projects or initiatives, as requested. Act as point of contact between the individual journal editors and Sage to communicate updates, information, and progress pertaining to the peer review process. Communicate Editorial Board updates to the appropriate Sage Publishing Editor and Production Editor. Review and improve existing dashboards to measure team performance. Should maintain the Sage Track email templates and periodically run reports out of Sage Track. Refer to and adhere to the Journal Editor’s Guide for assigned journals. Work on any special projects assigned by your supervisor. Meet or exceed the productivity standards for the Optimization Specialist position. Act As a Liaison Between Sage And Journal Editors Communicate in a professional and personable manner with editors, associate editors (if applicable), authors, reviewers, and other Sage staff on any issues concerning their journal. Problem solving on issues involving the journal as required. Closely monitor manuscript progress as manuscripts move through the steps of the peer-review process. Please forward your supervisor any communication that you receive from editors/authors that is tense or volatile in nature, also, please feel free to send your supervisor any positive words and praise you receive from editors and authors. Skills This includes, but is not limited to, the following: Project management skills - Participate in projects, committees, or task forces as assigned by departmental supervisor. Collaboration – Should be able to coordinate with stakeholders across US/UK offices independently. Problem solving: Optimization Specialist should be able to troubleshoot, suggest solutions to the challenges faced by the team while managing journals. Attention to detail: Optimization Specialist should be able to comprehend different journal workflows and conform to the checklist while managing journals tasks. S/he should be able to work with the team members to refine the journal workflows. Communication: Optimization Specialist should be able to communicate effectively with different stakeholders, including journal editors, reviewers, authors, and Sage staff. Time management: Optimization Specialist should be able to manage time to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks and work independently. Teamwork: Optimization Specialist should be able to collaborate with other team members, share information and contribute. Ability to change and adapt: Optimization Specialist should be able to learn new things with evolving process and changes in the industry. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s Degree. 2-4 years relevant experience in Peer Review process. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion At Sage we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that is representative of all sections of society and to sustaining a culture that celebrates difference, encourages authenticity, and creates a deep sense of belonging. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief as creating value through diversity is what makes us strong. As a business and as an organization with an increasingly agile workforce, we're open to flexible working arrangements where appropriate. Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Our mission is building bridges to knowledge — supporting the development of ideas through the research process to scholarship that is certified, taught, and applied. Learn about Sage | About our companies | Open editor positions Sage is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be made for any part of the interview process. Show more Show less
