Position description
The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) is recruiting a 75% Managing Editor for the Institute’s journal, Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research.
About the ETUI
The ETUI provides research and training support to the European trade union movement.
The Brussels-based Institute conducts research into European issues of strategic importance for the world of labour and promotes education and training activities with the aim of enhancing the capacity of workers’ organisations to contribute to social dialogue and building a social Europe.
ETUI is an equal opportunities employer. Regular presence in the office is Brussels is required.
About the position
The ETUI is seeking a highly organised and experienced Managing Editor to coordinate the publication process for its quarterly academic journal, Transfer. The journal seeks to stimulates dialogue between the European trade union movement and the academic and research community.
The primary objective of this role is to ensure that all Journal-related processes and outputs are achieved in a timely manner that meets agreed standards.
Within a dynamic international environment, you will play a central role in maintaining the ETUI's reputation for high-quality content and timely publication of the Journal.
Key responsibilities
- Editorial management: Coordinating the entire editing and production cycle for the printed and online publication of Transfer, ensuring adherence to agreed deadlines and editorial standards:
- Performing detailed reading of manuscripts, with particular attention to their content, form and structure;
- Implementing or commissioning necessary corrections and preparing contributions (formatting, coding, etc.) for final publication; and
- Ensuring the linguistic quality of all texts produced.
- Peer review management: Organising and coordinating the peer review process for submissions, including liaising with external peer-reviewers, monitoring deadlines, and transmitting comments to authors;
- Liaison with the publisher: Acting as the main point of contact between the ETUI and the publishing house for Transfer, including:
- Overseeing collaboration agreements with authors; and
- Ensuring timely execution of tasks in liaison with the publishing house, editors, authors and peer reviewers.
- Editorial Board: Planning Editorial Board meetings (three per year), including preparing agendas, documenting decisions, liaising with Open and Special Issue editors, and coordinating the diffusion of reports;
- Administrative and financial monitoring: Drafting and tracking contracts with relevant parties; providing necessary information for purchase orders; managing expenses; and proposing and monitoring an annual work programme and budget for the Journal.
Requirements
We expect you to demonstrate strong organisational skills, editorial skills in an academic context, a proven ability to manage complex projects within strict deadlines, and interpersonal skills with which to liaise with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders from different European countries.
- Education and Experience: A Master's level degree or equivalent experience;
- Professional Experience: A minimum of five years of practical experience in an editing or publications coordination role;
- Specialised Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge of publication techniques;
- In-depth knowledge of written communications;
- Practical knowledge of current and specific office software applications; and
- Experience with (a) publishing house(s)’ online/automated journal submission system(s) would be advantageous.
- Organisational and problem-solving skills:
- Proven ability to manage priorities, coordinate complex activities (internal and external), and handle multiple simultaneous demands;
- Capacity to provide constructive feedback while maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders;
- High degree of autonomy in organising and executing assigned tasks within budgetary and procedural limits; and
- Capacity to profile/publicise the Journal at key events and on social media, in collaboration with the ETUI Communications and Publications Department.
- Knowledge of the ETUI context: Knowledge of the Institute's activities, and general knowledge of the work of European institutions and trade union organisations;
- Language skills: excellent written and spoken English (first language or equivalent standard). Knowledge of other European languages is an advantage.
Conditions of employment
The appointment will initially be a 75% position for a 3-year period, with the possibility of extension. The ETUI offers a challenging and dynamic working environment, combining excellent academic standards with close contacts to European policy makers and trade unions.
For further information, visit: http://www.etui.org.
The ETUI offers good working conditions with a competitive salary and an attractive package of fringe benefits in line with qualifications and experience.
For any further questions regarding the vacancy, please contact Jane Parker ([email protected]), Co-Editor-in-Chief or Bart Vanhercke, Research Director ([email protected]).
Application instructions
Applications and supporting documents (CV, evidence of qualifications, list of publications, etc.) should be addressed to:
Bart Vanhercke
Director of the Research Department
ETUI, Bd du Jardin Botanique, 20 - 1000 Brussels
E-mail: [email protected]
The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2026.
Short-listed candidates will be called in for a panel interview in Brussels in February 2026. Preferred start date: April 2026.
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