Job Category: Management/ Exempt
Division: Publishing and Product Development
Reports to: Cancer Discovery Executive Editors
Location: Boston or Philadelphia Office
The Managing Editor will direct the selection and delivery of the news content of Cancer Discovery and will work with the journal’s Executive Editors to develop special features. In addition to coverage of advances in science related to cancer; other topics include information regarding technology, business, people and places, therapeutics-related FDA activity, government and policy, and research funding. News is reported weekly through the online journal, and selected news content is published in and/or linked to the monthly print issue.
The Managing Editor will also be responsible for the ongoing development of the news section to improve the quantity, quality, and variety of content as well as increase readership usage.
The Managing Editor will report to the Cancer Discovery Executive Editors and will be a key member of the editorial team.
Major Duties & Responsibilities:
•In collaboration with the Executive Editors and editorial team, plan and develop news and feature content that is topical, accurate, timely, and of interest to the oncology community.
•Research, write, and edit news stories.
•Ensure that acceptable, standardized practices are in place for news reporting and feature writing, and maintain documentation regarding these practices.
•Establish, monitor, and report on measurements for progress and informed decision-making.
•Set targets for continuous improvement of content coverage, quality, and turnaround.
•Manage and cultivate a cadre of freelance news writers/reporters.
•Manage multiple projects and deliver them according to scheduled deadlines.
•Work with the journal’s editorial, marketing, and production teams, as well as AACR’s Communications and Program departments.
•Collaborate with the AACR’s Science Policy and Government Affairs department to identify and develop relevant news stories.
•Represent the journal at relevant conferences and meetings.
Qualifications and Competencies:
•Demonstrated success delivering high-quality, timely news stories with scientific content.
•Ability to communicate directly with researchers and to translate technical scientific content to scientists working in other disciplines.
•Understanding of organization, structure, and ethics of electronic and print news media, journalistic techniques, terminology, and style, as they relate to scientific content.
•Outstanding management and leadership skills with the ability to maneuver and adapt practices in response to an ever-changing work environment.
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•High level of motivation, initiative, and commitment to researching and delivering scientific news content.
•Highly developed interpersonal and diplomatic skills; ability to exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
•Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
•Ability to collaborate with department, staff, and others involved in the work of the journal.
Education:
•PhD in a biomedical or life science, candidates with MS will be considered; additional MS in journalism a plus.
•Familiarity with the cancer field.
•Seven to ten years of experience writing scientific news in the life sciences, as well as a history of effectively managing staff and freelance workers.