Senior Peer Review Associate

Job Title

Senior Peer Review Associate (SPRA) – Peer Review

Department

Global Services, Peer Review (Hybrid Journal)

Job Purpose

The Senior Peer Review Associate (SPRA) is responsible for independently managing end-to-end peer review workflows for assigned journals, ensuring the timely progression of manuscripts through the editorial and peer review process while maintaining quality, compliance, and service excellence. The role serves as a key liaison between journal editors, reviewers, authors, and internal stakeholders, driving operational efficiency, journal health, and adherence to publishing standards.

In addition to managing peer review operations, the SPRA contributes to process improvement initiatives, reporting and analytics, journal performance monitoring, training of new team members, and implementation of global peer review best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Peer Review Management

• Conduct initial manuscript quality checks in Sage Track to ensure submissions comply with journal and publisher requirements and are ready to enter peer review.

• Manage reviewer invitations, assignments, and follow-ups to facilitate timely completion of peer review activities.

• Monitor manuscript progress throughout the editorial workflow and proactively address delays, bottlenecks, and overdue tasks.

• Follow up with editors, associate editors, reviewers, and authors to ensure completion of assigned actions within defined timelines.

• Ensure accepted manuscript files meet production readiness standards, including:

  • Complete and accurate author information

  • Editable source files

  • Copyright permissions and supporting documentation

  • Compliance with journal reference styles (APA, AMA, Harvard, etc.)

  • Completion of contributor and publication forms

• Export accepted manuscripts to Production within agreed publication deadlines and quality standards.

• Respond promptly and professionally to queries from editors, reviewers, authors, and internal stakeholders.

Journal Health & Performance Management

• Monitor journal performance indicators and identify manuscripts or workflows requiring intervention.

• Analyze trends related to overdue tasks, reviewer engagement, turnaround times, and editorial workflow efficiency.

• Identify operational challenges affecting journal performance and recommend corrective actions.

• Support initiatives aimed at improving reviewer selection, reviewer response rates, peer review efficiency, and overall journal health.

• Ensure assigned journals remain aligned with organizational standards, policies, and global publishing initiatives.

Reporting & Analytics

• Maintain accurate operational records and daily activity trackers.

• Prepare and circulate Peer Review Associate performance reports and other journal performance reports as required.

• Support the development and enhancement of reporting mechanisms, dashboards, and performance metrics.

• Collaborate with the Peer Review Supervisor to generate insights that support continuous improvement and operational decision-making.

• Ensure weekly updates and comments are provided for overdue task reports and journal review meetings.

System Administration & Process Improvement

• Maintain journal configurations, workflows, and communication templates within Sage Track.

• Troubleshoot system-related issues and coordinate with platform support teams where necessary.

• Support implementation of new journals and workflow enhancements across peer review systems.

• Contribute to process improvement projects aimed at enhancing efficiency, quality, and user experience.

• Assist in testing and implementation of system upgrades and global initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a primary operational contact for assigned journal editors and editorial boards.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with editors, associate editors, reviewers, authors, and internal publishing teams.

• Communicate editorial board updates, journal requirements, and workflow changes to relevant stakeholders.

• Escalate sensitive, complex, or high-impact issues appropriately and provide recommendations for resolution.

• Deliver a high standard of customer service through clear, professional, and timely communication.

Training & Team Support

• Support onboarding and training of new Peer Review Associates and Editorial Assistants.

• Assist in developing and enhancing training materials, process documentation, and learning resources.

• Provide guidance and operational support to team members when required.

• Act as a backup resource for the Peer Review Supervisor during periods of absence or increased workload.

• Participate in cross-functional projects, task forces, and departmental initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

Operational Excellence

• Consistently meet or exceed established service level agreements (SLAs), turnaround times, and productivity targets.

• Ensure high levels of accuracy, quality, and compliance across all assigned journals.

• Maintain effective workload management and prioritization of competing tasks.

• Respond to stakeholder inquiries within agreed service standards.

Journal Performance

• Support continuous improvement of peer review efficiency and editorial workflow effectiveness.

• Minimize overdue tasks and ensure timely manuscript progression.

• Contribute to positive editor, reviewer, and author experiences.

Communication & Collaboration

• Demonstrate professionalism, responsiveness, and strong stakeholder management skills.

• Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.

• Serve as a trusted operational partner to editors and publishing teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of scholarly publishing and peer review workflows.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple journals and priorities simultaneously.

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Proficiency in manuscript submission and peer review systems (e.g., Sage Track, ScholarOne, Editorial Manager).

• Advanced stakeholder management and customer service orientation.

• Ability to analyze data and generate actionable insights through reports and performance metrics.

• Training, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing capabilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and reporting tools.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline.

• 3–5 years of experience in scholarly publishing, peer review operations, journal management, or editorial support.

• Demonstrated experience managing peer review workflows and stakeholder communications.

Preferred

• Experience working with manuscript management systems such as Sage Track, ScholarOne, or Editorial Manager.

• Experience in journal performance analysis, reporting, and process improvement initiatives.

• Exposure to training, mentoring, or team support responsibilities.

Success Measures

• Achievement of journal-specific SLA and turnaround-time targets.

• Reduction in overdue tasks and workflow bottlenecks.

• High levels of editor, reviewer, and author satisfaction.

• Accuracy and quality of manuscript processing.

• Effective contribution to journal health, operational improvements, and team development initiatives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that is representative of all sections of society and to sustaining a culture that celebrates difference, encourages authenticity, and creates a deep sense of belonging. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief as creating value through diversity is what makes us strong.  As a business and as an organization with an increasingly agile workforce, we're open to flexible working arrangements where appropriate.