Editorial Assistant I

at  Massachusetts Medical Society

The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of the NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Catalyst, and the NEJM Journal Watch family of specialty publications, and through our education products for health care professionals: NEJM Knowledge+, NEJM Resident 360, and our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.
We are currently seeking an Editorial Assistant I to work in our Boston, MA office (hybrid in-office and remote schedule).
The Editorial Assistant I provides editorial and administrative support to a deputy editor and the Editorial Operations department. She/He/They performs a variety of administrative duties which are essential for the effective and efficient operation of the department. The Editorial Assistant I acts as the liaison for the editors with the academic and medical communities, as well as with the general public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, with one to two years of related experience.
• Experience and demonstrated interest in a career in academic publishing is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with software including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Slack, and Trellois also necessary.

1) Provides support to a deputy editor, carrying out administrative functions of his/her office.
Facilitates the handling of manuscripts; processes revised manuscripts, and generates decision letters, meticulously validating the accuracy of all written documents.
2) Discusses manuscript submissions with authors, clarifying Journal policy. Provides information for authors regarding manuscript status, electronic submission, manuscript requirements, and general research.
3) Answers general queries from authors, reviewers, and readership via email and phone.
4) Works to bring revised manuscripts into compliance with production guidelines to ensure materials can move into the production environment upon acceptance with minimal delay/revision.
5) Assembles and summarizes information from files and documents in the office or other available sources for the use of the editors; assembles, tabulates, and prepares drafts of special and periodic reports, undertaking technical research as necessary, using the library, databases, and outside sources. Assists in preparing presentations of this material for meetings using PowerPoint, Excel, or other programs.
6) Assists with shared tasks across the department, such as managing shared inboxes, assisting with trial registration checks, reviewing figures/images to ensure compliance with production standards, and more.
7) Maintains an up-to-date yearly schedule of commitments made by their editor, calling to their attention in advance of deadline; arranges travel, both national and international, and hotel reservations, and handles the processing of expenses.
8) Provides backup for the Manuscript Assistant with processing new manuscripts. Assists with phone coverage and other general office coverage when other team members are absent to ensure business continuity.
9) Performs other related duties as assigned.