Implementation Specialist, Systems Optimisation

Job Title: Implementation Specialist, Systems Optimisation

Location: London, Dordrecht or Pune

About Springer Nature

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About the Role

Springer Nature’s Group Publishing Operations team (GPO) performs and oversees manuscript screening operations across Springer Nature's journals portfolio. GPO also manages the various peer-review systems used by authors, editors and reviewers as part of submit-to-accept processes.  

Our 'article-level' activities are largely supported by 400+ BPO staff across multiple locations. Our 'journal-level' activities are largely supported by ~50 Springer Nature staff across multiple locations, who also contribute to projects in one of three main areas: technology, transformation and quality. 

The Implementation Specialist will manage their own portfolio of journals and partner with Publishing teams to run their journals in a ‘Production-ready’ way, while facilitating submit-to-accept workflows and compliance with policies. 

In collaboration with the Manager, Systems Optimisation (as well as the rest of the Systems Optimisation team and the wider GPO team), the Implementation Specialist will also advocate for and communicate on the development of all systems GPO uses/manages/supports, in line with the needs and priorities of various stakeholders (incl. GPO) and the business.  

This role will be in our London, Dordrecht or Heidelberg office on a hybrid working model.

Role Responsibilities:

Journal care 

• Gather system requirements from publishers, editors and service providers

• Set up, maintain and administrate peer review systems

• Conduct presentations and training sessions for internal and external stakeholders

• Ensure quality of article-level activities and act as an escalation point for individual journals

• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders (Publishing, Editorial, Production, Technology & Operations staff, as well as external editors, reviewers, authors and service providers)  

• Maintain journal-specific records and documentation

Systems Optimisation 

• Advocate for and advise on (as needed) the development of all systems GPO uses/manages/supports to increase automation and improve processes

• Track the development of systems in line with business needs and priorities

• Communicate with stakeholders on the development plans and progress against roadmaps

• Collaborate closely with GPO’s Technical Support and Automation & Analysis teams to support (respectively) the eradication of recurring technical issues, as well as the development of system-supported solutions for tasks which require regular automation

Other responsibilities 

• Be an advocate for continuous improvement, quality and efficiency. Foster a culture of openness, transparency and collaboration within the team and with our stakeholders

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

• Contributing to (sometimes interconnected) business projects. 

• Working with a wide range of global stakeholders. 

• Previous experience in a publishing and/or support role. 

• Business analysis and data analysis. 

• A technically minded approach to solutions.  

• Ability to translate the needs of the business into new projects. 

• Understanding of publishing workflows. 

• Excellent organisation skills to contribute to multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate with individuals at all levels and on a global scale. 

• Excellent numeracy skills with proven attention to detail. 

• Excel and PowerPoint proficiency. 

• Good problem solving/logic/analytical skills. 

• Proactive and able to lead projects alone as well as part of a large group. 

• Degree or equivalent work experience. 

• Formal project management qualification such as PRINCE2 desirable. 

Note for candidates in the Netherlands: As per our local policy, please be aware that this role will be open only for internal candidates within the first 2 weeks. Afterwards, external applications will be progressed

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/diversity-equity-inclusion  

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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