Job title: Associate Publisher, NPJ Series
Locations: Milan and Pune - Hybrid Working Model
Closing date: October 1st 2026
About Springer Nature
Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature.
About The Brand
Nature Portfolio’s high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences help move science and society forward.
Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international weekly journal of science, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.
Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with content, including news and comment from the Nature journal, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. As part of Springer Nature, Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @NaturePortfolio.
About the Role
We are seeking an Associate Publisher to manage a portfolio of proprietary and society open access journals published under the npj brand. The npjs are fully open-access Nature Portfolio academic journals that together span a wide range of research, from fundamental physics to clinical research to engineering. Each npj is targeted to a specific scientific community and is launched and run in collaboration with preeminent scientists. Reporting to an Executive Publisher you will be responsible for the management, strategic development and success of the individual journals within the Clinical Medicine field. This role involves liaising with internal staff, external journal editors, and the scientific community.
Role Responsibilities:
- Develop journals to deliver a best-in-class author experience and foster maximum engagement from Societies, Editors-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members (EBMs), demonstrating strong Persuasion and Business Development skills to build engagement and support journal growth.
- Drive the growth and development of a group of open access journals as part of a strategically defined overall portfolio within the Journals group, using Portfolio Development & Management, Market Intelligence and Business Development skills to identify opportunities and shape the future direction of the portfolio.
- Manage the complexities of relationships with partner societies, including contract negotiations, applying strong Negotiation Skills, Persuasion and Decision Quality to achieve sustainable outcomes and maintain productive partnerships.
- Develop strong working relationships with colleagues in Production, IT and other departments to ensure that any problems encountered by your journals, and particularly by authors, editors and peer reviewers, are swiftly and effectively resolved, demonstrating Resilience and a strong focus on Drives Results.
- Ensure that all KPIs are regularly monitored, reported and met, using Data Analysis / Quantitative Skills to assess journal performance, identify trends and inform Decision Quality, with appropriate action taken to Drive Results.
- Manage annual Journal Development/Improvement Plans and oversee their implementation and successful conclusion, using Portfolio Development
- Management, Market Intelligence and Decision Quality to identify priorities and deliver measurable improvements.
- Resolve pre- and post-publication issues raised by staff, Editorial Board Members (EBMs) and readers (e.g. authorship, scope, ethics and consent, misconduct, policies), demonstrating Decision Quality, Resilience and the ability to Drive Results in complex or sensitive situations.
- Attend external meetings (in-person or virtual) to build close working relationships with external EiCs, EBMs, society partners and the wider research community, using Market Intelligence, Business Development and Persuasion to understand stakeholder needs and identify opportunities for journal development.
- Represent the team in projects with Production, Sales, Marketing, Finance and other Editorial colleagues, contributing Market Intelligence, Data Analysis / Quantitative Skills and Portfolio Development & Management perspectives to support effective decision-making and the continued development of the journal portfolio.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field of study
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- IT systems-literate, with a sharp eye for detail
- Positive and proactive approach to problem solving, taking ownership to drive and complete tasks
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues at all levels and as part of a team
- Experience developing and maintaining productive and friendly relations/partnerships with academic and industry-based researchers
- Strong time management and organizational skills; including proven ability to take ownership to drive and complete tasks, to consistently meet deadlines, and to adapt quickly to change
- Resourceful and proactive in dealing with problems and queries
- Previous experience in academic publishing preferred
We encourage applications from candidates who meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria.
Applications should include the following:
A cover letter explaining your motivation for the role, your salary expectations, notice period, and preferred office location.
A CV.
For Milan, Italy positions only:
Associate Publisher: Minimum salary €32,500
National Collective Labour Agreement for employees of printing, publishing, digital and related companies (Publishers’ Section) – CNEL Code G011
Springer Nature promotes an inclusive work environment and welcomes applications from individuals belonging to protected categories under Italian Law 68/99.
At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress – and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion
For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/
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Job Posting End Date:
2-10-2026Skills Required
- Degree-level education or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- IT systems literacy and strong attention to detail
- Proactive problem-solving approach and ability to take ownership of tasks
- Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues at all levels and as part of a team
- Experience developing and maintaining productive relationships with academic and industry-based researchers
- Strong time-management and organizational skills, including meeting deadlines and adapting to change
- Resourcefulness and proactivity in dealing with problems and queries
- Previous experience in academic publishing
What We Do
Research and learning are the cornerstones of progress, which is why we open doors to discovery for our communities, enabling millions of researchers, clinicians, educators and other professionals to access, trust and make sense of the latest insights. Springer Nature is an ambitious and dynamic organisation. For over 180 years our imprints, books, journals, platforms, and technology solutions have been a trusted source of knowledge to our communities. Today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood, and used, ensuring that the world continues to make progress, improving and enriching lives and helping to protect our planet for future generations. Global key facts: Established for over 180 years Nearly 10,000 colleagues 200 offices in 45 countries on all continents World’s largest academic book publisher Publisher of Nature, the world’s most influential journal First company to publish more than 1 million Open Access articles Key brands and imprints: Springer Nature is home to some of the best-known names in research, health, educational and professional publishing. Every day, around the globe, our brands reach millions of people. Nature Springer BMC Palgrave Macmillan Apress Macmillan Education Scientific American Springer Healthcare Springer Medizin Research Square J.B. Metzler BSL Adis
