Senior Manuscript Editor II (Hybrid)

Senior Manuscript Editor II

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest professional Association of physicians and a non-profit organization. We are a unifying voice and powerful ally for America's physicians, the patients they care for, and the promise of a healthier nation. To be part of the AMA is to be part of our Mission to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. 

We continuously work to embed equity in our internal practices and are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff across all levels of the organization.  We intentionally work to create the right conditions to enable our employees to feel that they can be their authentic selves and fully participate in the life of the enterprise. 

We encourage and support professional development for our employees, and we are dedicated to social responsibility. We invite you to learn more about us and we look forward to getting to know you. 

We have an opportunity at our corporate offices in Chicago for a Senior Manuscript Editor II on our Scientific Publishing team. This is a hybrid position reporting into our Chicago, IL office, requiring 1 day a week in the office.

As a Senior Manuscript Editor II, you will edit scientific articles written by physicians and researchers and a major section of the journal for a medical readership. Assists Manuscript Editing leadership by training team members, assigning manuscripts, reviewing online releases and issues, monitoring accuracy and efficiency of editing process, and identifying and implementing process improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Editing

• Autonomously, edits medical articles and content using an XML editing system to improve reporting quality and ensure clarity, readability, technical and scientific accuracy, and integrity of content; maintaining conformity to AMA style, editorial policies, and deadlines.
• Performs research and follows style and policy for correct use of medical terms, units of measure, references, and statistics.
• Advises the director of the progress of all manuscripts and alerts the manager to any problems.
• Assumes responsibility for at least 1 major journal section or feature; editing, tracking workflow and deadlines, and coordinating with section editor.
• Author and Staff Communications (20%):
• Independently, performs liaison duties between the author, the editor, and the editorial, production, and media relations staff throughout the publication process and post-publication
• Queries and resolves inconsistencies and ambiguities and investigates errors and processes corrections
• Negotiates approval of edited content and addresses author and editorial management's questions and resolves conflicts between author requests and editorial policies and technical production capability, including deadlines
• Quality Assurance and Training (20%):
• Confirms all necessary consent forms and permissions, author information, and authors' contributions and disclosures
• Reads proofs word for word to verify conformity to editorial and author changes, making changes as necessary.
• Checks citation and format of figures and tables, figure legends, supplemental content, references, and internal and related article links
• Trains new Manuscript Editors in AMA style, editorial polices, editing systems, and workflow processes; coordinates or leads editorial training sessions for team members; identifies, evaluates, and implements process improvements.

Editorial Management Assistance

• Reviews and manages routing of online issues and revisions; performs release and issue reviews; participates in final publication reviews; ensures feedback is provided to team members
• Selects and assigns manuscripts for editing by the freelance unit and monitors work of other Manuscript Editors in director's absence
• Addresses scheduling questions from the editorial managers and coordinates scheduling of online and ad hoc online first releases
• Coordinates editing and workflow with authors and production for retractions, retractions and replacements, and letters of concern

May include other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

1.      Bachelor's degree required, preferably in English, journalism, communications, or biological or physical sciences.

2.      7 or more years of related experience preferably as a Manuscript Editor for a medical, scientific, or technical publication; 4 years in JAMA Network experience preferred.

3.      Background in science, knowledge of medical terminology, and extensive familiarity with AMA Manual of Style and research methods required.

4.      Familiarity with computer systems, electronic editing software, and content management systems. Proficiency with eXtyles preferred.

5.      Previous experience coaching authors and/or team members in execution of detailed editorial processes and policies preferred.

6.      High level of concentration required to edit materials; attention to detail critical.

7.      Ability to organize and assign priority to assignments and to function well under strong pressure to meet fixed deadlines.

8.      Demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills required in regular and frequent contacts with authors, editors, and production staff.

The American Medical Association is located at 330 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 and is convenient to all public transportation in Chicago. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in our workforce.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.  As an EOE/AA employer, the American Medical Association will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran or disability status.

THE AMA IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE NATION