ITHAKA is searching for a dynamic Content Development Specialist to work in the Content Development Unit (CDU).  ITHAKA (www.ithaka.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the academic community use digital technology to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways. ITHAKA provides innovative services that benefit higher education including JSTOR, Portico, and Ithaka S+R. ITHAKA is headquartered in New York, NY with additional offices in Ann Arbor, MI and Princeton, NJ. 

Working with direction from the Content Development Manager, the Content Development Specialist will support and further the work of the CDU, by inviting publishers to participate in JSTOR and working with content providers (such as museums, libraries, universities, or scholarly societies) on developing new collections. The Specialist should have a strong academic background in an area of the life sciences or physical sciences.  This position will report to the Content Development Manager.

Responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in expanding the portfolio of scientific collections for libraries and other not-for-profit institutions available through the JSTOR platform. Determine discipline clusters and identify journal and non-journal content.

• Invite publishers to participate in JSTOR, communicating effectively the benefits of participation. Negotiate license terms, modifying, and finalizing agreements within established deadlines. Successfully execute license agreements and amendments with publishers and other organizations within established deadlines. Develop an understanding of issues/concerns publishers have in joining JSTOR and address needs as appropriate.

• Research and assess scholarly literature for the archive based on JSTOR’s standard criteria and community needs. Develop relationships with and solicit feedback about publications and content from advisors (librarians and scholars) across academic disciplines. Develop a strong awareness of disciplinary trends in academic research and publishing, and gather market and audience research.

• Research prospective publishers and publications. Gather detailed information, including contact information, subscriber information, publication dates and frequency, availability through other resources, society and university affiliations, and other information as requested.

• Collaboratively with other units, conduct research to identify potential markets and audiences and understand their research needs.  Contribute to defining business cases for new collections or products. Scope potential content development opportunities from within the scientific scholarly community. 

• With direction from the Content Development Manager and Content Management staff, scope and define product ideas and contribute to product management strategy. Serve as liaison between technology-oriented units and business-oriented units.  

• Assist with written and oral communications in connection with launching journal collections, as needed; work as needed with collection launch team. 

• Provide research support for special projects as needed. 

• Travel up to 10% of the year to visit content providers and attend conferences.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 3 years employment in scientific publishing, electronic resource management, or related field.

• College or university degree in any area of the life sciences or physical sciences, or professional experience in science editorial or acquisitions required.  An advanced degree a plus.

• Experience 

• Successfully completing research projects

• Understanding of contracts and agreements

• Excellent oral and written communication, proofreading, and listening skills.

• Strong research skills.

• Familiarity with online resources for academic research.

• Experience in communicating potential ideas to varying audiences.

• Ability to anticipate, identify, and solve problems.

• Positive attitude; flexible; self-motivator.

• Excellent organizational skills; ability to handle and prioritize tasks with limited. supervision; work well under deadlines.

• Attentive to detail and deadlines.

• Software: Excel, Word, FileMaker Pro, Dreamweaver, PowerPoint.

*ITHAKA currently offers an extremely competitive benefit plan including: 

• Choice of 2 medical plans, one at no cost to the employee

• Employer paid dental, vision and employee assistance programs

• Employer contributed pension with a 6 month vesting period

• A competitive salary

• …And much, much more

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a detailed cover letter, and salary requirements to:
Contentspecialist@ithaka.org

ITHAKA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. 

*ITHAKA may make changes to its benefits from time to time.