Senior Commissioning Editor/Commissioning Editor

Senior Commissioning Editor/Commissioning Editor – Permanent - £48,530 - £58,520

Join us and be part of a mission-driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

About Sage:

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely. 

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact

• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

About our Team:

Join a commercially minded, highly collaborative team focused on bringing new journals to Sage and strengthening our publishing programme. Working within a supportive acquisitions team, in the wider journals publishing division, you’ll be part of an environment where ideas, insights and challenges are shared openly, and where cross-team collaboration is central to success. You’ll partner closely with colleagues across editorial, marketing, finance and society relations to assess prospects and put together tailored proposals.

Could you be our new Commissioning Editor? Are you?

• Experienced in academic journal acquisitions, with a strong understanding of the full journal publication process?

• Able to demonstrate a track record of meeting commissioning targets?

• An excellent communicator with the ability to influence, negotiate and present effectively to a range of stakeholders?

• A self-starter and skilled project manager, with experience of managing multiple projects simultaneously through to timely completion?

• Driven to network and build connections?

• Confident analysing market trends and using insights to shape commissioning and journal development strategies?

• Skilled in building relationships with editors, societies and internal teams to achieve shared goals?

• Someone who uses initiative and commercial judgement to make sound decisions?

• Motivated to improve processes, contribute to cross departmental projects and support the development of junior colleagues?

Your new role:

We welcome applicants at both Commissioning Editor and Senior Commissioning Editor level. Your experience will determine the most suitable level, and we’ll ensure the role is shaped to match your skills and career stage.

As Commissioning Editor, you will play a pivotal role in developing strategic hitlists of titles in designated subject areas, acquiring journals, and handling journal transitions. You’ll be responsible for driving the full process of assessing prospects, developing financial offers, writing proposals, and leading pitch presentations. You’ll also actively manage a portfolio of journals, using initiative, sound commercial judgement and relationship building skills to develop its quality, profile, market share and financial performance in line with Sage's strategy.

• Increase the number of high-quality journals published by Sage by leading lease, purchase and launch proposals for subscription and open access titles, including generating leads, writing tender documents, presenting and taking successfully to contract signature.

• Grow revenue and strengthen Sage’s market position by developing and delivering targeted outreach lists that convert high value prospects into active acquisition opportunities.

• Build Sage’s reputation and networks within key markets.

• Prepare and review profit and loss statements accurately, analysing them in the context of Sage’s commercial requirements and the competitive environment

• Ensure seamless onboarding of newly acquired journals by coordinating efficient transitions that maintain quality, timelines and strong engagement.

• Improve journal quality and editorial performance by mentoring, supporting and recruiting editors, embedding processes and driving continuous improvement.

• Improve the financial health of your journal portfolio by growing revenues, optimising costs and finding opportunities to strengthen long-term profitability.

• Elevate journal reputation by advising editors and societies on content strategy, market positioning and development opportunities.

• Secure long-term, high value partnerships by negotiating and renewing editor and society contracts aligned with strategic editorial plans

Overview of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.

• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office and a home working allowance.

• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.

• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.

• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.

• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.

• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.

• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email [email protected] . Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: Friday 6th March 2026

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to sustaining a culture that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity, and builds a deep sense of belonging. We encourage applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief as crafting value through diversity is what makes us strong.