Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Growth Initiatives

Contract: Permanent (full-time)

Salary: £71,000 - £78,000 (DOE)

Location: London - Hybrid

Application Closing Date: Friday 9th January 2026

Job Purpose: 

The Head of Growth Initiatives is a strategic leadership role within the Publishing & Events (P&E) division, responsible for defining and delivering content growth strategies. This role focuses on maximising market share through content retention (article transfers) and content attraction (topic collections), and supports the journal launch programme. You will lead a team of six direct reports to enhance author and reader satisfaction, while holding responsibility for driving and increasing the revenue generated through these key growth initiatives

Key Tasks:

• Develop and execute portfolio-wide content growth strategies, providing regular updates to the P&E Leadership Team.

• Create and implement commercial strategies to grow open access revenue and enhance market differentiation.

• Lead the Article Transfer Service to ensure efficient retention of high-quality submissions across the portfolio, collaborating with Publishing, Editorial, Operations, and Business Systems teams.

• Direct the Content Development team in researching and commissioning Topic Collections to support journal budgets and portfolio gaps.

• Develop community-based strategies to solicit high-quality research, including outreach to underrepresented groups, partnerships with research institutions, and special calls for papers.

• Monitor and report on KPIs related to article transfers, revenue generation, and content growth, proactively implementing improvements.

• Drive organizational transformation in content retention and attraction capabilities while ensuring strict compliance with ethical guidelines and research integrity standards.

• Cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation within your team, fostering professional development and managing high-quality outputs.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications  

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

• A strong understanding of high-level biomedicine terminology.

• Professional certifications in Project Management, Publishing, or Marketing are advantageous but not essential.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a management role within scholarly publishing, with a deep understanding of open access, article transfers, and editorial workflows.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff to achieve strategic objectives.

• Exceptional skills in building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Journal Editors, Publishers, and industry partners.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively to overcome industry challenges and drive growth.

• Familiarity with manuscript submission systems and experience in managing program-level initiatives and multiple complex projects simultaneously.

• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to track and evaluate KPIs related to revenue and content growth.

Why work for us

Help us create a healthier world. We are a global healthcare knowledge provider. We publish The BMJ, one of the world’s most impactful medical journals and over 70 influential speciality journals. We offer digital tools to help health professionals worldwide tackle critical healthcare challenges. Find out more about us here.

Flexible Work and Workplace Perks

• We’re committed to flexible working that supports both your needs and the requirements of the role.

Generous benefits

• Generous double-matching employer pension contribution, up to 12%

• Discounted dental and travel insurance

• Seven x salary life assurance cover and a generous income protection package

• Discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work and season ticket loan

• Discounts for retail and leisure products through yourReward 

Work-life balance and wellbeing

• Twenty-five days holiday + bank holidays + a BMJ Day off.

• Additional holiday through long service; buy up to 5 additional days 

• Leave for moving house, volunteering or getting married

• Concierge service Seniorcare by Lottie

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are not buzzwords to us, but fundamental company priorities

• We believe that a diverse workforce brings unique strengths and insights, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive positive change in our industry. 

• If you are from an under-represented or historically marginalised community, we are particularly interested in hearing from you. 

• Join our employee-led networks focusing on Gender, Race and Cultural Diversity, Sexual Orientation, Mental Health and Well-being, Parents and Carers and Age.

• Disability Confident Committed employer

Learning & Development

• Personal development plan 

• Mentoring scheme

• Career Coaching

• Opportunities to pursue professional development

• Strengths-based development