President

Annual Reviews • San Mateo, CA

4d • Remote

About The Position

Annual Reviews (AR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to synthesizing and integrating knowledge for the progress of science and the benefit of society. Founded in 1932, AR advances and disseminates scientific and scholarly knowledge through 51 Annual Review journals spanning the biological, physical, and social sciences, as well as Knowable Magazine, The Charleston Hub, Knowledge Unlatched, and Underline Science. Together, these activities serve scholarly communities and bring scientific knowledge to new audiences.

The President is AR’s top executive and principal leader, responsible for the short- and long-term success, sustainability, and strategic direction of the organization and its programs, products, and services. The President leads AR’s operations in close collaboration with the Board, editors and editorial committees, the management team, affiliates, and staff. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the President develops strategic objectives and priorities consistent with AR’s mission and bylaws, and fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and mutual respect.

The President is a voting member of the Board of Directors, the Business Affairs Committee, and the Editorial Affairs Committee. The role oversees organizational performance and financial stewardship in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer; provides leadership for the intellectual direction, quality, integrity, and impact of AR’s journals and publications; and represents AR in global research, scholarly, and publishing communities. The President manages 10 department directors and an executive assistant, and ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, organizational policies, and governance requirements.

This is a remote position located anywhere in the United States. The role requires the ability to travel domestically and internationally. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future employment visa sponsorship. Applications should include a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in and vision for the position and a resume, submitted before November 1, 2026.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience, preferably in scholarly publishing, academic societies, education, research, publishing, or the technology industry serving the research community.
• Experience developing organizational strategy, anticipating future trends, aligning resources with priorities, and balancing mission, short- and long-term needs, impact, and financial sustainability.
• Familiarity with factors affecting the scientific publishing industry and the ability to address related opportunities and challenges.
• Experience effectively leading organizational growth and change.
• Experience working with governing boards and board committees.
• Experience with or knowledge of Open Access models.
• Revenue diversification experience and financial acumen, such as P&L responsibility, budget management, investment and risk assessment, launching businesses or products, building recurring revenue, or developing partnerships, sponsorships, or licensing arrangements.
• BA/BS degree; a degree in a scientific discipline, business, finance, or economics is strongly preferred.
• Sound judgment and impeccable ethical standards.
• At least 5 years of experience managing multiple senior leadership staff members at organizations with 50 or more employees.
• Excellent management skills and a collaborative leadership style that empowers leadership staff, builds strong teams, and supports employee engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to scientific integrity and editorial excellence.
• Ability to engage effectively with researchers, editors, and advisory groups.
• Ability to communicate expectations and priorities clearly, listen effectively, welcome thoughtful disagreement, demonstrate trust, and create an environment where staff can raise concerns, challenge assumptions, and bring forward ideas.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build trust, relationships, credibility, and consensus with Board members, staff, editors, lay audiences, and other stakeholders in virtual and in-person settings.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, and other digital communication tools; ability to learn and leverage new technology to evaluate and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Strong understanding of the research environment, gained through academic, professional, or other relevant experience, and ability to engage effectively with researchers, editors, and advisory groups.
• Understanding of nonprofit governance and experience in both nonprofit and for-profit environments.
• Experience conducting original scholarly research.
• Experience effectively leading acquisitions and/or mergers.
• BA/BS degree in a scientific discipline, business, finance, or economics.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the short- and long-term success, sustainability, and strategic direction of AR and its programs, products, and services.
• Lead AR’s operations and activities in collaboration with the Board, editors and editorial committees, management team, affiliates, and staff.
• Develop strategic objectives and priorities with the Board of Directors in accordance with AR’s mission and bylaws.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and mutual respect.
• Cultivate and strengthen AR’s position as a leader in the scholarly communications industry.
• Serve as AR’s top executive and principal leader.
• Serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors, the Business Affairs Committee, and the Editorial Affairs Committee.
• Oversee organizational performance and financial stewardship with the Chief Financial Officer, reviewing operational, programmatic, and financial results to assess progress, allocate resources effectively, and support long-term sustainability.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the intellectual direction, quality, integrity, and impact of AR’s journals and publications.
• Lead discussion and adoption of editorial policies and initiatives with the Editorial Affairs Committee, Board of Directors, and staff.
• Represent AR in global research, scholarly, and publishing communities and advance the dissemination of knowledge.
• Research and recommend new business initiatives to the Business Affairs Committee and Board of Directors.
• Manage 10 department directors and an executive assistant, fostering collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, organizational policies, and governance requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans, with enrollment on the first of the month following the date of hire.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans.
• Immediate enrollment in the retirement plan.
• 10.625 hours per month of accrued vacation time.
• 10 paid holidays and a 5-day paid winter break per year.
• Sick time.
• Personal enrichment and professional development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive