This role combines end-to-end peer review operations leadership with vendor governance and operational analytics for HHS GSD – OA.
The position is responsible for supervising internal editorial teams, managing vendor performance and delivery, and driving data-led operational excellence. It ensures efficient and controlled manuscript flow from submission through production by maintaining high quality standards, optimizing turnaround times, enabling proactive stakeholder communication, and continuously strengthening scalable, data-driven workflow performance across internal and vendor-supported operations.
Key AccountabilitiesPeer Review Operations & Team Leadership
Oversee end-to-end peer review workflow from submission through export to production
Supervise and manage a team of 5–7 team members, ensuring effective workload distribution and adherence to timelines
Drive daily and weekly planning, performance tracking, and productivity management
Coach and develop team members, identify skill gaps, and enable capability building
Escalate operational, workflow, and people-related issues proactively
Vendor Management & Governance
· Act as the primary operational point of contact for external vendors
· Build and maintain strong vendor relationships aligned to quality, SLA/KPI expectations, and timelines
Monitor vendor performance through scorecards, trackers, and review mechanisms
Lead performance reviews, feedback discussions, and escalation management
Identify risks, compliance gaps, and recurring issues; drive corrective actions
Operational Reporting, Analytics & Capacity Planning
Develop and maintain dashboards, trackers, and reports (Excel / Power BI)
Monitor throughput, turnaround time, backlog, and utilization across internal and vendor teams
Analyze workflow data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and capacity constraints
Support forecasting and resource planning using historical data and submission trends
Provide actionable insights and recommendations to leadership
Workflow Oversight, Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
Ensure smooth execution of peer review workflows across internal and vendor-supported operations
Identify bottlenecks, delays, and quality issues and drive resolution
Track recurring issues and implement mitigation and preventive actions
Lead process optimization, standardization, and turnaround time improvement initiatives
Maintain and enhance SOPs, workflow documentation, and governance frameworks
Stakeholder & Cross-functional Collaboration
Maintain strong relationships with editors, authors, reviewers, and internal stakeholders globally
Collaborate with editorial, production, technology, and operations teams
Coordinate vendor onboarding, training, transitions, and process changes
Facilitate communication with global stakeholders, including US/UK teams
Process Governance & Documentation
Ensure process and training documentation is complete, updated, and accessible
Evaluate effectiveness of reports and introduce improvements where needed
Maintain governance trackers, performance reports, and audit-ready documentation
Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field
Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience across peer review/publishing operations, team leadership, and vendor management
Proven experience in people management, including team supervision, performance management, and capability development
Strong operational management experience, with hands-on ownership of workflow oversight, productivity, and turnaround optimization
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and drive data-led operational decisions
Mandatory proficiency in Excel and Power BI, including building and interpreting dashboards and performance reports
Good understanding of peer review workflows and academic publishing operations, including vendor-supported delivery models
Strong stakeholder and vendor management capability, with the ability to build effective working relationships
Strong planning and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
High level of ownership, attention to detail, and accountability
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.