Managing Editor, RAPS Journal of Regulatory Affairs
Location: Rockville, MD (Hybrid or Remote)
Key Skills: Editorial management, peer review coordination, academic publishing, communication
Experience: 6+ years of experience in editing, writing, journal publishing, and managing end-to-end editorial workflows.
Reports to: Vice President, Research & Content Strategy
The Role
RAPS is seeking a Managing Editor for RAPS Journal of Regulatory Affairs to oversee and implement editorial operations and production of the peer-reviewed publication. This role is responsible for managing manuscript workflows, coordinating peer review, and ensuring timely, high-quality publication aligned with organizational standards and strategic goals.
What will you do with us:
Lead end-to-end editorial workflows for RAPS journal, from submission through publication
Oversee peer review, including reviewer selection and communication
Collaborating with the Editorial Advisory Committee and external partners
Deliver high-quality publications on schedule
Manage manuscript tracking systems, publishing platforms, and production (copyediting and proofreading)
Manage and mentor editorial staff while setting priorities and supporting growth
Develop and maintain style guides and editorial standards for journal and RAPS Books
Monitor regulatory trends and competitor activity to inform strategy
Manage budgets, track expenditures, and recommend fiscal plans
Analyze performance metrics and implement process improvements
Drive journal growth, indexing, and impact initiatives
What you will bring to succeed:
Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of editing, writing, and editorial management experience, or commensurate experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong team management and interpersonal skills
Ability to think strategically and apply that vision and direction tactically
Experience managing and tracking commissioned and submitted papers
Experience with web editing/ content management tools
Experience editing and writing in a specified house style and working closely with authors in developing content and associated tables and figures
Comfort working both in teams and independently
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized
Experience managing peer-reviewed journals
Strong project management and organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of publishing standards, ethics, and indexing requirements
Preferred
Experience with pharmaceutical, medical, device, or biotech publication is desired.
Medical writing background is a plus
What RAPS offers:
Highly competitive, market-based wages
Annual merit-based salary adjustments
Incentive pay/bonuses
Reimbursement for job-related education + training
Generous PTO accruement
10 annual paid holidays with extended holiday break
Medical, dental, vision, & life insurance
Short/long term disability
Flexible spending account (FSA)
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
About RAPS
The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) is the world’s largest organization for professionals working in regulatory and quality roles across healthcare products, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics, and digital health. Founded in 1976 as a nonprofit, RAPS advances the profession through education, training, research, publications, networking, and career development. It offers the Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC), the only post-academic credential recognizing regulatory excellence. RAPS is headquartered near Washington, DC, with chapters worldwide.
RAPS promotes quality, innovation, respect, and high ethical standards. It supports continuous learning and fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace.
RAPS provides equal employment opportunities and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.