1. Recruiting editors in chief
Cara (Kaufman) Rivera
ALPSP Webinar | 9 Feb 2017

2. Experience with editor in chief recruitment
Publisher
Past
Recruited editors in chief directly for proprietary peer-reviewed journals
Served as ex-officio, nonvoting member of editor search committees for society journals
Consultant
Current
Advise society clients on recruiting editors in chief, job descriptions, editorial board structure, compensation, instructions to authors
Recruit editors in chief (and other editorial and publishing positions) as service offering
KWF Consulting for ALPSP

3. Overview Groundwork Journal profile and direction Search committee
Decision tree and schedule
Recruiting
Job description
Compensation
Nominations
Applications
Interviews
Transition
Editor contract
Dual offices
Editor evaluation
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4. Groundwork
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5. Journal profile and direction
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6. Conveying journal mission, vision, values, specs
Aims and scope
Types of content
Audience
Size and format
Business model
Conveying journal mission, vision, values, specs
Although the EIC will be responsible for implementing the journal’s editorial direction and have editorial independence over (most) journal content, the society owner should ensure that the search committee understands and agrees on the journal’s strategic framework.
In addition, the EIC will want to know the journal’s aims and scope, types of content, audience, size and format, and business model and any change in direction envisioned by society and or willingness of the society to entertain other changes proposed or opportunities identified by the EIC.
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7. Search committee
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8. Considerations for search committee composition
Liaison to board of directors
Chair of publications committee
Other society leaders
Voting
Executive director
Current editor in chief (if politic)
Publications director
Ex-officio Nonvoting
Considerations for search committee composition
Optional additional representation
Reader constituent
Author representative
Early career member
Peer editor for noncompetitive journals
Scholarly publishing expert
KWF Consulting for ALPSP

9. Attributes of successful editors From our experience
Experience as editor, reviewer, author
Respected by global network of expert colleagues
Enthusiastic and persuasive journal advocate
Visionary with broad expertise, not too tied to one area
Plan for ensuring timely, fair, and efficient peer review
Historical appreciation, fresh perspective
Experience with, how and when to use technologies
Editorial board structure supportive of aims and scope
Diplomatic, amicable, organized (not political appointment)
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10. Decision tree and schedule
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11. Recruitment process Journal profile and direction
Search committee, schedule and decision tree
Job description and compensation
Call for nominations and networking
Status reports
Application review
Prescreening calls
Personal interviews
Board of directors approval
Selection of finalists
Reference checks
Offer and negotiation
Editor agreement and evaluative metrics
Communication and announcement
Editorial board and office set up
Orientation and editor training
KWF Consulting for ALPSP

12. Society leadership roles and responsibilities
Activity
Month
The first step is to form a search committee of three to five individuals and determine which group/s will need to approve the recommendations of the search committee. The search committee should understand the direction in which society would like to see the new journal develop. Even though the editor in chief shall be responsible for journal content, they need to do so within the framework of an agreed vision and framework for the journal.
Apr
A call for nominations should be published on the society and websites. The search committee chair should contact other leaders closely affiliated with the society for nominations. Society also may wish to send a broadcast to society members calling for nominations. Applications should include a CV and an outline of the candidate’s editorial plan for the journal.
May
Search committee should review applications received and meet or call to draw up a short list of candidates to be interviewed by phone. The chair should speak with candidates on the short list and be prepared to share with them some details of the position including the EIC’s duties and level of support or assistance they will receive from the society/publisher. From there, the field is narrowed to a few candidates to be interviewed face-to-face.
Jun
Interviews then are conducted, candidates ranked, and a recommendation is presented to the society board during ad hoc meeting. Cover travel expenses for finalist candidates.
Jul
Offer position to finalist including compensation, expense budget, benefits, start date, length of term. Letter of appointment sent to chosen candidate and acceptance letter received. EIC drafts editorial structure and budget. Search for managing editor / managing editor contractor.
Aug – Sep
Public announcement
Oct
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13. Publishing staff | consultant roles and responsibilities
Activity
Month
Conference call with search committee or other society representatives to discuss the recruiting process.
April
Prepare call for nominations for placement in the journal and society websites. Prepare position description, evaluative metrics, and draft editor agreement to be approved by society. Determine compensation, summary of employee benefits.
May
Receive CVs and editorial plans from applicants, acknowledge receipt, ask and answer questions, share materials with search committee. Prepare summary. Conference call to discuss candidates. Guide discussions of the committee to identify highly qualified candidates. Participate in (or conduct independently, as preferred by search committee) screening telephone interviews with applicants believed to be suitable for the position. Share notes and materials regarding the screened group of candidates with the search committee. Inform applicants who, after screening, search committee has deemed to be suitable, or unsuitable, candidates for further consideration. Members of search committee may prefer to handle this step, or publishing staff/consultant drafts letters on behalf of the committee.
Jun
Check references after the successful interview with permission and knowledge of the candidates. The committee may prefer to handle reference checking. Ensure candidates’ institutions are supportive and identify any associated costs or likely financial arrangements with institution. Conference call to discuss candidates.
Jul
Assist in contract negotiations; revise editorial agreement and evaluative metrics as needed. society’ legal counsel to review and approve final agreement.
Aug – Sep
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14. Recruiting
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15. Job description
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16. Introduction Title Position objective Commitment Location Reporting
Editor in chief, ABC Journal
Title
To be the public voice and figurehead of a ABC Journal publishing v, w, x and advancing y and z.
Position objective
Part time, 5-year term, subject to renewal by mutual agreement
Commitment
Remote, EIC’s academic institution
Location
Chair, Publications Committee; access to Board of Directors
Reporting
Independent contractor paid competitive stipend
Remuneration
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17. Establish editorial calendar for reviews and invite expert authors
Key responsibilities
Devise and implement editorial plan in line with journal aims and scope, article types, and specs agreed with Pubs Committee
Identify and recruit qualified experts for international associate editors, editorial board, and reviewers
Oversee fast, fair, and professional peer review, working to improve metrics time for first decision, rejection rate, and Impact Factor
Cover basic, translational, and clinical research in keeping with research trends, manuscript submissions, and society mission
Uphold and enhance educational mission, editorial quality, and reputation for meaningful scholarship
Establish editorial calendar for reviews and invite expert authors
Serve as journal ambassador and advocate to global editor, author, reviewer, constituencies
Implement ethics policies for handling allegations and findings of scientific misbehavior and misconduct
Collaborate with society leadership on publishing society guidelines and statements, author and reader promotional efforts
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18. Qualifications MD/PhD preferred; MD and/or PhD required
Member of society, not society officer, not editor of other journal
Record of significant scholarly achievement, actively engaged in research
Editorial experience, preferably as a journal editor
Ability to meet deadlines, well organized, responsive to feedback
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Working familiarity with open access publishing a plus
Periodic travel to publications meetings and professional conferences
KWF Consulting for ALPSP

19. Editorial support Orientation and training
Experienced journal, peer review staff
Manuscript management system
Detailed reporting and analysis
Meeting logistics
Reader – author surveys
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20. Application
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21. Required materials Editorial plan proposals
Confirmation of support for society’s strategic direction for journal
Types of content and editorial features
Involvement with and enhancements to online features and presentation, including multimedia
Description of any additional suggestions or potential opportunities
Organization and responsibilities of editorial board and editorial office
Editorial stipend and budget requirements
Providing statement of availability/time commitment
Curriculum vitae

22. Nominations
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23. Purposeful networking
Nominations process
Build awareness
Calls for nominations
Journal website
Society website
Member
Encourage application
Purposeful networking
Editorial board
Committees
Expert outreach (and follow up)
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24. Support search committee’s networking
Background materials
Draft , goals, deadlines
Copy of call for nominations
Journal profile and direction
Job description
Application requirements
Talking points
Ideal editor attributes
Term of editorship
Editor appoints own editorial board, peer reviewers
Recent trends in submissions and other descriptive statistics
Manuscript management system and peer review support
Editorial support from society and publisher
Application deadline
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25. Call for Nominations — Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Neuroscience
2015
Call for Nominations — Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Neuroscience
calendar/news-and- calendar/news/across-the-field/call-for- nominations-editor-in-chief-jn
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26. 2017 ASN Open Access Journal Editor Search Announcement
or-search/open-access-editor-search/
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27. Compensation
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28. Factors influencing compensation
Stipend
Manuscript submission
Journal complexity
Editorial structure
Peer review process
Journal profitability
Editor needs and society support
Time requirement
Opportunity cost

29. KWF Consulting 2016 Editorial Compensation Study
level
Editor in chief
Compensation range
Total
journals
Medical
Basic
science
Highest
$235,001
$245,000 1
Midlevel
$185,001
$195,000 2
$155,001
$165,000
$135,001
$145,000
$125,001
$135,000
$95,001
$105,000
Lowest
$75,001
$85,000
$65,001
$75,000 4
$45,001
$55,000
$35,001
$45,000
$25,001
$35,000 3
$15,001
$25,000 7 5
$10,001
$15,000 6
$5,001
$10,000
Mean
$56,838
$69,432
$33,750
Median
$30,000
$40,000
$16,250
Mode
$12,500
$20,000
Total answered 34 22 12
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30. KWF Consulting 2016 Editorial Compensation Study
Editorial positions
Actual salaries or stipends/honoraria
Journals
Compensation
range
Mean
Median
Mode
Exec ed
$115,000
$185,000
$154,667
$160,000
$180,000 17
EIC
$5,000
$245,000
$56,838
$30,000
$12,500 37
Deputy
$1,250
$95,000
$32,885
$7,500 13
Section
$10,000
$4,250
$3,750 5 AE
$25,000
$5,625 24
DE/SE/AE
$14,207 42
Mng Editor
$45,000
$155,000
$87,500
$75,000
$70,000 41
Edit asst
$65,000
$46,438
$50,000
$40,000 40
Other
$47,813 20
Total answered 48
[1] Midpoint of each salary range was utilized when determining mean, median, and mode.
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31. Interviews
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32. Interview form Search committee member name: EIC candidate:
Date of review:
Candidate
Leadership
Editorial record
Connectivity
Organizational talent
Interpersonal skills
Reviewer impression
Total score
1 through 5, with 1 highest
Comments
Key
Leadership: Recognized leader in specialty
Editorial record: Proven track record as an editor, including excellence and timeliness
Connectivity: Networking and connectivity to leading experts in the specialty and its related sciences
Organizational talent: Proven ability to build teams and lead them in complex assignments
Interpersonal skills: Track record of ethical behavior, integrity, and outstanding interpersonal skills, especially in leading teams
Reviewer impression: General sense of likelihood that applicant will have very positive impact on journal and specialty in role
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33. Contract
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34. Elements of typical editor agreement
Appointment and acceptance
Term
Editorial support
Duties
Editor
Society
Publisher
Journal specs
Ownership
Early and post termination
Warranties and indemnities
Name and likeness
Noncompetition
Confidentiality
Notices and general

35. Dual offices
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36. Key events and schedule for editor transition A sample
Outgoing editor in chief
Incoming editor in chief
Timing
Meeting with society/publisher, incoming EIC, managing editor/peer review service to review transition and confirm timeline
Feb-Mar
Accepts final manuscripts
Editor orientation meeting with society/ publisher; manuscript management system training
Apr
Begins forwarding new manuscripts to new EIC
Logs in final manuscripts
Sends final manuscripts to AEs, for review
New EIC begins receiving new manuscripts
Logs in first manuscripts
Sends first manuscripts to AEs, for review
May
Receives final reviews for papers to be published in last issue; reviews for papers beyond last issue transferred to new EIC
Makes, logs in decisions
Receives first reviews for issues with new EIC on masthead
First decision letters sent
Jun-Sep
Sets up last issue
Transfers to new EIC any manuscripts accepted but not assigned to final issue
Informs new EIC of any other relevant items
Starts receiving revisions
Receives accepted manuscript backlog
First manuscripts to production
Oct
Final issue under outgoing EIC publishes
Sets up first issue
Nov-Dec
First issue under new EIC publishes
Jan
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37. Editor evaluation
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38. Editorial metrics sampling
 Peer review
Change in manuscript submissions
Time from submission to first decision
Time from acceptance to FTP
Acceptance rate
Author satisfaction
Editorial organization
Associate editor diversity
Editorial board diversity
Publication
Text pages published as compared with page budget
Balance of clinical v health services research
Review articles (or other article types) published as compared with goal
Journal influence
Impact Factor category rank (top X% of category)
Number zero cited articles
Page views
Altmetric score
Social media
Operations
Editorial expenses versus budget
Support of cascading peer review process
Other criteria
As proposed and agreed

39. Publishing metrics sampling
Production
Sales and marketing
Process
Production process benchmarked against best practices
Speed
Acceptance to issue assign
Issue assign to online pub
Issue assign to print pub
Submission to online pub
Submission to print pub
Pages
Number editorial pages
Number of articles
Average pages per article
Average articles per issue
Circulation
Segment
Format
Geography
Usage
Page views
Altmetrics (social media, press cites)
Promotion
Awareness, discoverability, engagement, conversion
Author outreach
Advertising
Pages
Market penetration

40. Thank you | Q&A
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