Head of Content Operations (Full-time or part-time)

Are you an experienced publishing professional with a strong technical background in digital workflows, XML infrastructure, and open science practices?

Closing date for applications is November 20, 2026.

eLife is looking for an ambitious, proactive and visionary Head of Content Operations to shape our long-term content strategy, drive workflow automation, and advance our digital product. In this high impact role, you will lead a dedicated content operations team, focused on delivering a great experience for authors, and help shape the future of open science and digital scholarly communication.

Experience and attributes

The ideal candidate should have:

  • 8+ years in STM journal publishing, with proven staff management and vendor oversight (including tender/RfP execution).
  • Strong background in workflow evaluation, project/product management, and navigating system dependencies.
  • Active engagement with open science initiatives and a passion for promoting machine readability and content standardization.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to manage diverse stakeholder inputs, resolve conflicts, and lead cross-departmental teams and initiatives.

Specific responsibilities

  • Automation & Infrastructure: Manage eLife’s XML-related technologies including, but not limited to XML, XSL, XML Schema and Schematron and automation tools to optimize submission workflows, author proofing, and downstream content distribution.
  • Vendor & Service Management: Lead tender processes, manage vendors and freelancers, and drive continuous improvements in turnaround times and output quality.
  • Author Experience: Maintain high level copyediting, proofreading, and house style, delivering an exceptional, responsive service to authors.
  • Standards & Open Science: Champion best practices in metadata, persistent identifiers (PIDs), and open science standards across publishing workflows and research content.
  • Downstream Distribution: Ensure distribution across major repositories (e.g. Crossref, PubMed, CLOCKSS, OA Switchboard).
  • Team Management: Lead and mentor the content operations team (Production Editor, Production Assistant, and external contractors), overseeing performance reviews, workload management, and professional development.
  • Future Vision & Innovation: Act as a visionary for the future of scientific content, redefining how published research is processed, presented and consumed, championing concepts like the "article of the future" and leveraging emerging AI innovations.

Terms and conditions

The post is a remote (UK-based), permanent position, full time or part-time (minimum 30 hours/week) and offers a competitive basic salary range of £65,000-£75,000 per annum (depending on experience) and excellent benefits.

Location: Remote (UK-based)
Salary: £65,000-£75,000 per annum (depending on experience) + excellent benefits
Reports to: Chief Publishing Officer
Contract: Permanent, full time or part-time (minimum 30 hours/week)
Direct Reports: 1 Production Editor, 1 Production Assistant, plus external contractors
Budgetary Responsibility: ~£200,000 p.a. operational spend | ~£200,000 p.a. departmental staffing budget

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK to be considered for the vacancy.

What we offer
We care about your growth and well-being. Joining eLife means being part of a friendly, sociable, and forward-thinking team.

  • Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours, remote working.
  • Time Off: 25 days of annual leave, plus all UK public bank holidays.
  • Financial Security: Company pension scheme and Life Assurance (4x basic salary).
  • Family Support: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
  • Professional Growth: Dedicated investment in your personal and career development.
  • Culture: A warm, inclusive team environment with regular social events.

Why Join Us?
At eLife we are embedded in the scientific community and are shaping a new future on how research is reviewed and published. The Head of Content Operations plays a crucial role in the organisation's publishing function. You'll lead a highly skilled team, control a substantial operational budget, and have a central role in influencing the future of scholarly communication.

How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining why you're a great fit for the role to hr@elifesciences.org, referencing ID HCO/2026-10.

  • Closing Date: Friday, 20th November at 5:00 PM (GMT).
  • Interviews: Held the week commencing 23rd November (via Google Meet/Zoom)

A note on AI tools: We embrace innovation and welcome the use of AI tools to help you research eLife, structure your application, or map your skills. However, we deeply value authenticity—please ensure your final submission is personalised and reflects your true voice and experience.

eLife is committed to building an inclusive team that reflects a diversity of perspectives. We particularly welcome applications from women, non-binary individuals, disabled candidates, and Black, Asian, and minority ethnic professionals, who are currently underrepresented across technology and scholarly publishing.