Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

Purdue Libraries Seeks Director, Purdue University Press & Head, Scholarly Publishing Services

May 30th, 2014

Director, Purdue University Press & Head, Scholarly Publishing Services

Purdue University seeks a highly motivated and forward-thinking publishing professional to take Purdue University Press and Scholarly Publishing Services (PUP/SPS) to the next level. Reporting to the Dean of Libraries and an integral member of the Libraries’ senior leadership team, the successful candidate will be responsible for a publishing division that is gaining international recognition for its success in combining skills and infrastructure from both library and publishing contexts to better serve the needs of academic authors in a changing scholarly communication environment. The position is responsible not only for Purdue University Press but also for Scholarly Publishing Services, which includes Purdue e-Pubs, the University’s institutional repository. The relationship between PUP and SPS is articulated at http://lib.purdue.edu/publishing.

Purdue University Press (http://press.purdue.edu), founded in 1960, publishes 25-30 books a year as well as several journals, both subscription-based (e.g., Shofar) and Open Access (e.g., the Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning). All books and journals published under the Press imprint are peer-reviewed, edited, and designed to the highest standards. The University Press operates on a business model that relies on earned revenue to cover direct program costs. Manuscripts published come from scholars based outside as well as inside Purdue University, and the Press is a proud and active member of the Association of American University Presses. Over recent years the Press has built on strong lists in traditional humanities and social sciences areas, such as European history and Jewish studies, to develop programs aligned with Purdue as a land-grant, STEM-focused institution. Promising lists are currently being developed in library science, science and engineering education, construction management and civil engineering, aviation and astronautics, and veterinary studies. There is also a strong regional studies program, focused on the history, culture, and natural history of Indiana.

Scholarly Publishing Services focuses on supporting the publication efforts of various centers and departments within the Purdue system. The primary publishing platform used is Purdue e-Pubs (http://docs.lib.purdue.edu) and the majority of products created are openly accessible to readers. These include technical reports, niche faculty journals, student publications, and conference proceedings. Open Access is made possible by the financial support of partners, foundations, and Purdue University Libraries. Purdue e-Pubs, built on Digital Commons, is also the University’s institutional repository and the successful candidate will be responsible for encouraging Open Access to materials published elsewhere by Purdue University faculty.  Through Purdue e-Pubs, users worldwide get free access to around 40,000 documents which are downloaded over 2.6 million times a year. Purdue is one of the founding members of the Library Publishing Coalition.

PUP/SPS operations are funded by a mixture of earned revenue and university support, in cash and in kind. This ensures financial stability while also facilitating the development of sustainable Open Access strategies. Collaborative relationships across Purdue ensure that there is substantial institutional support and PUP/SPS is situated at the center of the attractive, West Lafayette campus. The integration into the Libraries of the publishing function ensures that this position offers exciting opportunities to be a member of a group of information professionals who are redefining the ways in which scholarly information is managed, preserved, and disseminated. Purdue University Libraries is well-known as a leader in expanding the role of libraries in areas such as research data management, information literacy instruction, and re-conceptualizing options in scholarly communication and the use of library spaces.

Qualifications

Required:

• A minimum of five years of progressively more responsible experience in publishing.
• A bachelor’s degree, and preferably a post-graduate qualification in publishing, business, or a field related to the publishing program.
• Experience in managing a budget, with preference to a publishing related budget, to ensure financial viability and long-term growth.
• Project management expertise.
• Experience in negotiating, preparing, and administering author and editor contracts, agency agreements for a suite of publishing services, and distribution relationships.
• Demonstrable success in developing and implementing collaborative ventures and long-term relationships with partners with whom there is mutual benefit.
• Experience in pursuing and selecting manuscripts to be assessed by the Editorial Board.
• Knowledge necessary to expand and develop digital initiatives.
• Understanding of production and sales and marketing roles.
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in scholarly communications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.

Preferred:

• Experience of publishing in science, engineering, or related STEM fields.
• Demonstrated understanding of the missions and functions of a large research library.
• Record of successful grant management.

Application Process

To be considered for the position, applications must be made through Purdue University’s employment web site at: www.purdue.edu/hr/careers and reference position ID 11488. Please include a cover letter with your application outlining your qualifications for this position. Review of applications will begin June 13, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.  Nominations and/or questions can be directed to: Ferullo@purdue.edu. Resumés or CVs sent to this email address cannot be considered. Please put “PUP/SPS” in the title of all email correspondence. A background check is required for this position.

Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.