Job Description / Duties

The National Association of Teachers of Singing announces a call for applications for the next editor-in-chief of Journal of Singing.

Overview of the Editor-in-Chief Position

The Editor-in-Chief reports to the Executive Director, and is supported by NATS staff and contracted staff who form the publishing team for the journal. This position also serves as an ex-officio member of the NATS Board of Directors. This is a remote position with occasional travel to the annual board meeting and the biennial conference.

The main duties of the Editor-in-Chief include:

• Providing editorial leadership and oversight of the journal, retaining its status as one of the foremost academic journals in the field. The Editor is responsible for upholding the mission and scope of the journal and for selecting content that provides new, original, and important contributions to knowledge.
• Ensuring a high overall quality of the intellectual content of the journal and overseeing the review process to ensure it is thorough, fair, and timely.
• Leading the peer review process: screening and selecting papers for review; assigning papers for peer review to the editorial board and overseeing the general conduct of the peer review process to ensure a rapid and efficient review of all submitted papers, and maintaining the flow of accepted papers at a level and on a schedule for regular publication.
• Selecting associate editors, editorial board members, reviewers, and any other editorial positions required in developing content for the journal, and submitting necessary changes required for endorsement by the Board of Directors annually to the President of the Association. The editor is the final arbiter for all material published in the journal.
• Chairing the editorial board meetings, approving minutes and agendas, following up on the board’s action points, and implementing them with the agreement of the Executive Director and Board.
• Articulating and implementing an editorial vision and strategy for the journal that is relevant to current developments in academic and practice-based research, as agreed with the Editorial Board, Executive Director, and NATS Board of Directors.
• Collaborating effectively with various internal and external constituents, and promoting and maintaining a positive and cooperative team-oriented work environment with a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity.
• Making periodic assessments of the editorial board’s processes, and recommending changes when appropriate.
• Ensuring that appropriate technology tools are in place to facilitate the submission, editorial, and subscription processes of the journal, and that all editorial board members and staff are oriented and trained relative to their effective use.
• Retaining oversight of the overall editorial quality of images and text, coordinating layout and design with contracted designer, checking proofs, and issuing final approval for production.
• Working together with the editorial team, Executive Director, staff, and NATS Board to promote the reputation, academic success, and prosperity of the journal.
• Working with the Executive Director to effectively manage the budget associated with the production of the journal.
• Acting as a spokesperson for the editorial board in public forums such as NATS board meetings and national conferences.
• Overseeing matters of editorial policy and ensuring that wherever possible the journal adheres to best practice guidelines in terms of publication ethics.

Compensation            

• The editor-in-chief receives a stipend for their services.  

NATS strives to be a welcoming and supportive community of members and students who celebrate the unique identities, varied backgrounds, and experiences of all individuals. We are dedicated to ensuring that all voices are valued and heard in an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• An excellent track record in the field with a strong record of publication.
• Recent experience in managing or conducting research of national or international quality.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to work collaboratively with individuals and stakeholders.
• A record of contributing to the review and editing of published material in the field is preferred.
• An excellent national and international network amongst researchers.
• Membership in NATS.
• Working knowledge of the languages common to singing.
• An understanding of the use of electronic systems used to effectively facilitate the development and production of issues, and management of subscriptions. The journal is in the process of implementing ScholarOne and recently joined Project Muse.
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills in English.
• Excellent organizational skills, including an ability to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple competing priorities.

Additional Information

Application Process

Please upload the following items in six separate files:

• Cover letter that sets out:
  o their personal vision for the future of Journal of Singing
  o specific objectives to achieve that vision (over the next five years)
  o strategies to increase output, readership, reputation, and impact
  o their approach to maintaining the quality, accuracy and fairness of the review process.
  o their plans for inclusion, diversity, and equity relative to the journal
  o their experience using and/or implementing the common technology systems used in academic journal publishing.
• Current curriculum vitae
• List of minimum of five references (two should be external to NATS and able speak specifically to your suitability for this position.)
• Two writing samples (published articles, book chapters, columns or other scholarly writing)
• Headshot 

*Finalists will be asked to edit an article provided by the committee at a later date.

Applications should be made electronically here: https://www.nats.org/JOS_Editor_in_Chief_Application.html

Screening of applications begins June 15, 2022 and continues until the position is filled.

Employer Profile

About Journal of Singing:

Journal of Singing, the official journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, provides current information regarding the teaching of singing as well as results of recent research in the field. A refereed journal, it serves as an historical record, and is a venue for teachers of singing and other scholars to share the results of their work in areas such as history, diction, voice science, medicine, and especially voice pedagogy. Journal of Singing is published five times annually (Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec, Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June).