Senior Editor, Custom Media, China

Job Title: Senior Editor, Custom Media, China

Location(s): Shanghai

About Springer Nature Group        

Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 175 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities and today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow.

Springer Nature is one of the world’s leading scholarly publishers and is home to Nature and the Nature Portfolio Journals. The Community & Partnerships editorial team is seeking a proven, science-minded journalist or communicator to join its team in China. This role represents a rare opportunity to help develop a fast-growing content marketing business, work with a talented global team of editors, and produce award-winning commercial content on subjects that matter.

Purpose of the role: The Senior Editor will develop engaging English-language science articles to run in Nature and Nature Portfolio Journals, some of the most prestigious science titles in the world. This role will report to Senior Editor, Custom Media in China and work with Chinese partners to develop interesting content about life sciences, biomedical research and physical sciences.

Need to do

Key tasks:

• Define, commission, and edit science-related articles and collections, with Chinese partner organisations, for Nature audiences. Engage with clients through meetings and interviews to determine the scope of the content.
• Plan, resource, edit and produce high-quality custom print, digital and multimedia content, as required, working with global colleagues and freelance writers and editors.
• Apply Nature’s rigorous editorial guidelines and standards when editing or writing pieces based on materials submitted by clients, maintaining the right length, tone and style.
• Help manage staff/freelancers dedicated to production of China-based commercial content.
• Help inform and develop events and data-led content.
• Work with publishing/project managers to maintain workflows and deadlines for effective delivery of projects. Have the ability to work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines.
• Develop Chinese-language science articles to run in Nature Portfolio WeChat platform.
• Collaborate with sales to discuss client needs and propose new commercial editorial projects, including articulating editorial vision and supporting sales proposals.

Need to know

Skills/knowledge:

• Written and spoken fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English.
• Strong writing/editing skills, with good grasp of how to hook a reader with compelling headlines and content.
• Comfort with, and experience in a commercial publishing and/or content marketing setting.
• Comfort with scientific subject matter and concepts.
• Proven ability to deliver projects that serve Nature readers and meet client goals.
• Demonstrable understanding of the international research ecosystem, the Chinese scientific landscape and the opportunities and challenges for Chinese researchers.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines, with a high attention to detail and accuracy, and the knowledge about prioritizing tasks.
• Ability to work collegially and effectively with writers, editors, project managers and designers.
• Familiarity with legal and journalistic ethical principles, such as conflict of interest.
• Established contacts with China-related freelance writers desirable.

Qualifications and experience:

• Experience in writing about complex science in easy-to-understand terms.
• Background in science communication and/or science journalism, with experience writing and editing articles for science publications. A degree in a scientific topic is preferred.
• Some experience working in media (print or online), scientific publishing, or conducting content marketing/digital marketing for research institutions preferred.
• Experience of working in an editorial role within scientific publishing.
• Experience producing video content and scripts would be a plus.

Need to be capable of

1. Technical Capability

Uses technical / job knowledge and experience, incorporating functional skills and broad-based business knowledge, to meet and exceed job requirements / customer expectations.  Up-to-date and disciplined, able to generate and present high quality, relevant and usable job-related information.  Efficiently manages workload and projects within set timelines and to agreed budget, achieving set objectives.  Assimilates and applies new job-related information in a timely manner.

2. Personal Effectiveness and Professionalism

Maintains a professional attitude and approach to work. Takes an ethical approach to internal and business relationships. Is aware of compliance and regulations as a framework for business activities. Produces consistent results both professionally and personally. Use of initiative and a proactive approach with drive to make a contribution. Focuses on achieving positive results contributing to team goals and the overall success of the business.

3. Customer Focus (internal and external customers)

Drive and motivation to meet or exceed customer expectations, Nurtures relationships by recognising and delivering on internal and external customer’s needs and opinions.  Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of their actions.

4. Relationship Building/ Teamwork (incorporating Communication, Influencing & Collaboration)

Builds effective relationships through positive communication that motivates and influences others. A valued team member actively involved in achieving team objectives.  Works cooperatively and flexibly with other members of the team. Effectively communicates relevant ideas or details of events in a way that enhances relations in the work environment. Successfully influences others to accept and support an idea/proposal/plan.

At Springer Nature, we value the diversity of our teams and work to build an inclusive culture, where people are treated fairly and can bring their differences to work and thrive. We empower our colleagues and value their diverse perspectives as we strive to attract, nurture and develop the very best talent.

Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversi… 

If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation.

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://careers.springernature.com/

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