Peer Review Lead

About the Role

We are looking for a Peer Review Lead / Senior Editorial Coordinator who can build, run, and scale peer review operations from scratch while also actively managing day-to-day editorial workflows. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong process ownership, stakeholder coordination, and deep understanding of journal/book peer review ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Review Operations & Execution

• Coordinate the end-to-end peer review process, including reviewer assignment, reminders, timeline tracking, and quality outcomes using platforms such as ScholarOne, Editorial Manager, or similar systems.
• Monitor manuscript schedules, communicate deadlines to authors, reviewers, and editors, and proactively follow up on delayed submissions or reviews.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for authors, reviewers, editors, and publishers—responding to queries and guiding stakeholders through the editorial and peer review lifecycle.
• Arrange, track, and consolidate reviewer feedback for journal articles and book proposals under consideration.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in manuscript tracking systems, internal databases, spreadsheets, and project management tools.
• Support editorial decision-making by ensuring appropriate reviewer coverage, complete documentation, and adherence to timelines.
• Send out author contracts and respond to contract-related queries in coordination with internal teams.
• Perform final manuscript checks and prepare files for smooth handover to the production team.
• Provide operational support for editorial board meetings, including coordination, agenda preparation, minutes, and follow-ups.
• Assist with ad-hoc tasks such as processing payments, maintaining contributor records, and coordinating with vendors.
• Liaise with internal departments (production, marketing, royalties, finance) to resolve queries and escalate issues when required.

Peer Review Leadership & Process Ownership

• Design, implement, and own the peer review workflow from scratch, ensuring scalability, efficiency, quality, and compliance with publishing ethics.
• Define and document SOPs, best practices, and escalation mechanisms for peer review operations across journals or book programs.
• Lead, mentor, and guide junior peer review/editorial team members, ensuring consistent delivery and quality standards.
• Own and track peer review KPIs such as turnaround time (TAT), reviewer performance, decision cycle efficiency, and author experience.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex editorial, reviewer, or author issues.
• Configure, optimize, and manage peer review systems (ScholarOne/EM), including workflow setup, user roles, and reporting.
• Conduct regular process audits and quality checks to ensure integrity, transparency, and adherence to ethical publishing standards.
• Build and maintain a strong reviewer database, develop reviewer engagement strategies, and improve reviewer responsiveness and retention.
• Support onboarding of new journals or titles, including peer review setup, team readiness, and go-live support.
• Work closely with Editors, Publishers, and internal leadership to align peer review operations with broader publishing goals.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Strong administrative, coordination, and process design skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional and empathetic tone.
• Proven ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive improvements proactively.
• Advanced working knowledge of MS Office (especially Excel and Outlook).
• Hands-on experience with peer review/manuscript tracking systems such as ScholarOne, Editorial Manager, or Manuscript Central.
• A genuine interest in academic publishing, peer review integrity, and journal/book workflows.

Eligibility

• 5–9+ years of experience in journal editorial or peer review operations within an ePublishing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in peer review coordination, workflow setup, and process improvement.
• Prior exposure to mentoring or leading team members is highly desirable.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹50,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Provident Fund
• Work from home

Work Location: In person