Job Overview
Job Title: Journals Launch Specialist
Contract: Permanent (full-time)
Salary: £56,626
Location: London/Hybrid
Application Deadline: Friday 10th July 2026
Job Purpose:
The Journal Launch Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting the company's growth strategy by ensuring the successful setup, strategic development and financial performance of new journals from launch through their first year. Reporting to the Launch Excellence Manager, the role is focused on the day-to-day project management of individual journal launches and will be a key part of the new Launch team. Communication is a key part of this role, developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
Key Tasks:
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Work closely with the Launch Excellence Manager to support the launch and acquisition of multiple journals at any one time, ensuring they stay on schedule and within budget.
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Lead the strategic identification and recruitment of Editors-in-Chief and their Editorial Boards.
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Create and implement journal development plans to establish market position.
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Manage journals through their critical first year post-launch, hosting strategy meetings, and monitoring performance metrics to ensure all KPIs are met.
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Manage journal financials, including budget reviews, forecasting and cost control.
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Partner with Marketing and Community Managers to build author communities and audience growth pre- and post-launch.
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Collaborate with Content Development Specialists, and Transfer Editors to build a healthy content pipeline and optimise the article cascade journey.
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Collaborate with other functional groups (especially systems, production and digital) to deliver an excellent service for all stakeholders.
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Work as part of a matrix with the Publishing team to ensure cross-portfolio consistency and adherence to best practices.
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Contribute to the continuous iteration of launch and acquisition templates and procedures.
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Support proposal generation and the ‘transition in’ of journal contract acquisitions.
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Support the development of business cases for new journals.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Experience of working in an STM publishing environment with experience of project management, development and journals’ finance.
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Educated to degree level, or with equivalent qualification or experience.
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Experience of launching journals is highly desirable.
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Good understanding of the key publishing disciplines of sales, marketing, financial management, technology and business development, and a working knowledge of print and online journal production.
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Excellent organisational skills including the ability to handle multiple projects.
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Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people at all levels of seniority.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including good presentation skills to a range of audiences.
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Strong computer literacy and familiarity with online research e.g. citation analysis.
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Self motivated and output oriented.
Why work for us?
Help us create a healthier world. We are a global healthcare knowledge provider. We publish The BMJ, one of the world’s most impactful medical journals and over 70 influential speciality journals. We offer digital tools to help health professionals worldwide tackle critical healthcare challenges. Find out more about us here.
Flexible Work and Workplace Perks
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We’re committed to flexible working that supports both your needs and the requirements of the role.
Generous benefits
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Generous double-matching employer pension contribution, up to 12%
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Discounted dental and travel insurance
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Seven x salary life assurance cover and a generous income protection package
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Discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work and season ticket loan
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Discounts for retail and leisure products through yourReward
Work-life balance and wellbeing
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Twenty-five days holiday + bank holidays + a BMJ Day off.
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Additional holiday through long service; buy up to 5 additional days
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Leave for moving house, volunteering or getting married
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Concierge service Seniorcare by Lottie
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are not buzzwords to us, but fundamental company priorities
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We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique strengths and insights, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive positive change in our industry.
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If you are from an under-represented or historically marginalised community, we are particularly interested in hearing from you.
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Join our employee-led networks focusing on Gender, Race and Cultural Diversity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health and Well-being, Parents and Carers and Age.
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Disability Confident Committed employer
Learning & Development
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Personal development plan
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Mentoring scheme
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Career Coaching
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Opportunities to pursue professional development
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Strengths-based development
