Assistant Editor – Periodicals

Summary

Reports to:          Director of Publications and Editor – RUSI Journal

Department:       Publications

Salary range:       £28,000 - £35,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

Location:             ​​Hybrid (Home/London office)

Contract:             ​Full time, Permanent

About

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world’s oldest, and the UK’s leading independent think tank engaged in cutting edge research in defence and security. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical and innovative analysis to address today’s complex challenges.

RUSI publishes a wide variety of digital and print outputs, including research papers, commentaries and RUSI Newsbrief, among others. It also houses the RUSI Journal, a leading peer-reviewed academic journal in defence and security that was first established in 1857 and is published by Taylor and Francis. Our publications combine scholarly rigour and policy relevance and are intended to be readable for a wide audience. The Institute’s published works are well regarded for their accuracy and clarity of expression on often-technical topics.

Main purpose of the post

We are now recruiting for an Assistant Editor-Periodicals to work on RUSI’s across all publication outputs within the RUSI Publications team and assist with the day-to-day running the RUSI Journal. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for those interested in editing policy-relevant publications in both short and longform and honing their editorial project management skills. With a busy and varied publications schedule, the Assistant Editor will need to be flexible, able to work autonomously and communicate clearly with team members and internal and external stakeholders, and confidently and calmly work to meet tight and sometimes overlapping deadlines.

The role requires tract-record and experience in an editorial/publishing role, and an aptitude for content and copyediting. The successful candidate will be expected to have a meticulous approach to editing, be pro-active, adopt a positive, flexible and problem-solving attitude, have the ability to work independently across a range of products and tasks and manage different publication projects. The role would suit candidates looking to build upon their editorial experience and interested in the production and dissemination of policy-relevant research in a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.

Key tasks

• Carry out content, copyedits and proofs of both short and long form outputs across RUSI’s stable of publications, with a particular focus on long form and journal articles.
• Upload content to the website and arrange print runs, where needed.
• Project manage research papers and reports throughout their life cycle, in coordination with colleagues across the team. 
• Assist the Editor of the RUSI Journal in managing peer review of all submissions.
• Assist the Editor and Deputy Editor of the RUSI Journal with commissioning research and author liaison.
• Support the Editor and Deputy Editor of the RUSI Journal with business development.
• Support the production of the RUSI Journal Radio podcast.
• Record and report completed projects accurately for financial and audit purposes.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake such duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.

​Our expectations

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI’s Vision and Values https://rusi.org/content/values and Equal Opportunities Statement.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• Proven track-record of working in a publishing environment in either an editorial or project management capacity.
• Good understanding and/or experience of academic peer review management.
• Demonstrable project management experience and skills.
• Undergraduate degree in Publishing (or closely related field), or undergraduate and postgraduate qualification or equivalent.
• Excellent command of the English language with a proven ability to spot errors and inconsistencies and adhere to house style.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate and manage complex projects.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills and the ability to manage various tasks and projects with tight deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word.

Desirable skills

• Experience working for a magazine/journal.
• Good understanding of policy research and dissemination.

Benefits  

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service).  
• Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days.  
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution.  
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.  
• Season ticket loan (after successful completion of 6 months in post).
• RUSI life assurance (after successful completion of 6 months in post). 
• Rental deposit scheme (after successful completion of 6 months in post). 
• Free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library.  

Equal Opportunity and Values  

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and employment practices and take reasonable steps not to unfairly discriminate in any way in our recruitment practices. We therefore encourage you to apply regardless of your socio-economic background, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender, or physical disability.  

Application Process  

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions. You will be asked to include:  Your CV and cover letter of no more than one page.

Closing date: ​5 pm UK on 7 September 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged.

Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be asked to take a written test.