Journals Senior Executive Publisher (China)

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

Taylor & Francis Group produces high quality, peer reviewed books and journals. We produce unique, trusted content by expert authors, spreading knowledge and promoting discovery globally. We aim to broaden thinking and advance understanding, providing academics and professionals with a platform to share ideas and realise their individual potential.

Our purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge.  We strongly believe that this requires us to encourage and examine different ideas and voices, so that any work that meets our exacting levels of quality deserves to be included in our publications. This requires open minds, the opportunity for robust debate, and the courage to defend perspectives that stand up to scrutiny, even if they conflict with our personal beliefs or values. Because that’s the only way to find the best obtainable version of the truth and, ultimately, foster human progress. If you agree, then we’d love to hear from you.

We are seeking an exceptional publishing leader who can bridge local and global perspectives—someone with the cultural insight to build trust within China's academic community and the communication skills to collaborate seamlessly with our international teams. This role requires an ambition to strive for excellence in publishing locally, increase brand awareness amongst key journal stakeholders, and active participation in local outreach and networking activities as the need arises.

Reporting to the Publishing Director, the Senior Executive Publisher oversees the strategic direction and operational management of publishing activities for a curated portfolio of journals across Science & Technology, Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences. This leadership position combines P&L management, team leadership, strategic business development and expert network-building to drive growth and innovation in academic publishing, with a particular focus on strengthening our partnerships and content pipeline within China's dynamic research landscape.

The role involves progressing Open Research growth across the portfolio as well as developing Pay to Read content. As part this team, you will be instrumental in building Taylor & Francis's reputation as a trusted publishing partner within Chinese academic communities while maintaining strong connections with our global teams.

Closing date for applications: 20 May 2026

Applications are shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we will be interviewing alongside advertising. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity.

What you will be doing:

Strategic Portfolio Leadership

• Oversee a team of Publishers in China that manage focused portfolios of high-value STM/HSS journals
• Drive portfolio growth, profitability, and content excellence
• Deliver on ambitious regional growth targets with P&L accountability. Success will be measured not just by portfolio performance, but by your team’s impact on T&F's market penetration in China
• In consultation with relevant teams, build and execute acquisition, networking and outreach, society contract and new launch strategies with particular focus on opportunities within China

Relationship Management, Partnership Development & Brand Building

• Oversee and direct strategic engagement initiatives with key Chinese universities, research institutions, and academic societies, coordinating across internal teams to maximise impact
• Drive editor recruitment strategy and provide leadership support to Chinese editors and editorial board members to strengthen regional editorial excellence
• Establish and maintain senior-level relationships with key opinion leaders and decision-makers in Chinese academia
• Lead Taylor & Francis's presence and representation at major conferences and academic events across China, ensuring strategic visibility and brand positioning
• Direct the planning and execution of T&F booths, author workshops, networking receptions, and training sessions at Chinese institutions, leveraging cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful programs
• Spearhead initiatives to position and establish T&F's reputation as the trusted publishing partner of choice within Chinese academic communities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor the Publishers in your team, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, excellence, and accountability
• Provide strategic guidance and support to team members
• Collaborate with fellow Executive Publishers globally and share best practices

Strategic Intelligence & Market Insights

• Provide senior-level market intelligence to T&F global leadership
• Monitor competitive landscape and identify strategic threats and opportunities
• Analyze Chinese research policy, funding trends, and academic priorities
• Advise on China-specific strategies for Open Access, content development, and innovation

Cross-Cultural Leadership

• Lead cross-functional, cross-cultural initiatives between China and global teams
• Provide cultural consultation and strategic advice to global leadership
• Facilitate senior-level connections between Chinese and international stakeholders
• Work flexibly across time zones for global executive collaboration

What we are looking for: 

Essential:

• Degree in a relevant field with strong understanding of academic research and scholarly publishing
• Proven leadership experience in academic publishing, scholarly communications, or related fields - journal portfolio management highly advantageous
• Fluency in Mandarin and English (written and spoken) at executive communication level
• Exceptional relationship management and negotiation skills - demonstrated ability to build trust and influence at senior levels
• Deep cultural fluency - sophisticated understanding of Chinese academic culture, business practices, and ability to navigate complex cross-cultural dynamics
• Strategic and commercial acumen - track record of identifying and executing growth opportunities
• Leadership experience - ability to mentor, develop, and inspire high-performing teams
• Entrepreneurial and visionary mindset - comfortable with ambiguity, proactive, and results-driven
• Executive presence - ability to represent T&F credibly at the highest levels of Chinese academia
• Availability and enthusiasm for frequent travel within China and internationally for strategic meetings and events
• Flexibility to work across time zones for global executive collaboration
• Strong existing networks within Chinese academic communities (highly desirable)

What Sets Successful Candidates Apart:

• Track record of successful senior-level partnerships or business development in China
• Experience leading teams in cross-cultural, global organisations
• Deep understanding of China's research landscape, funding mechanisms, and academic priorities
• Experience with P&L management and strategic business planning
• Passion for elevating Chinese scholarship and building bridges between Chinese and global research communities
• Comfort with high-visibility, high-accountability roles with executive exposure

What we offer in return:

• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic, flexible working culture
• 20 days (pro-rata for first year) annual leave per year, plus an extra day off for your birthday
• 4 paid volunteering days each year
• Paid sick leave of 14 days
• Social insurance and housing fund plus supplementary medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme – offering 24/7 well-being support
• Performance bonus
• Annual health screening for employee and spouse, optical and medical care

Location:

• This role is open to candidates based in either Beijing or Shanghai. Candidates must have the right to work in China. 

• We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That's why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at conference – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

  The successful candidate will be able to utilise our balanced working model. We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance to either our Beijing office(Cultural Square, Haidian) or Shanghai office(Shui on Plaza, Huang Pu) to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office location 3 days per week. 

• Relocation support is not provided for this role.

We want all our candidates to shine in our recruitment process. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to ensure you are able to show us your best self. This could include having the application form in a different format, more time for questions, or anything else – please ask us, we are happy to be flexible! Please contact [email protected]

Being Yourself at Taylor & Francis 

If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis, we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and contribute regardless of their identity or background. As a colleague, you will have the opportunity to further innovate and develop in areas that you are passionate about. Our goal is to empower you with the resources, incentives, and flexibility you need to enjoy success at work and to live a healthy, balanced life. 

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. Taylor & Francis recruits, develops, and retains colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit-based factor. 

If you have a disability, or face another barrier,  and would like to request an adjustment to assist your participation in the hiring process and/or in the advertised position, please contact Ivy Ma. Your request will be reviewed and considered in the strictest confidence.

We genuinely care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring to Taylor & Francis are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities, and to innovate and develop in areas which you are passionate about. To find out more about our business and the great career opportunities please go to our Careers Site: http://www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/careers