The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 23,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Evidence, NEJM AI, NEJM Catalyst, NEJM Clinician, and through our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.
The world has changed, and so has the way we work. The MMS has adopted a flexible work model that allows most employees to choose where they work – at home, onsite in our Waltham or Boston office, or a combination of the two – based on their preferences and our business needs. Because what matters is the work we do, not where we do it.
The Perspective Editor leads the Journal’s Perspective section and related print and digital features, shaping its editorial direction in partnership with senior leadership. This role develops and executes strategies to ensure content—including the Perspective and Medicine and Society sections, as well as podcasts and other multimedia – is timely, engaging, and valuable to a sophisticated audience. The editor monitors emerging healthcare issues to identify relevant topics and contributors, handling complex or sensitive subjects with sound judgment and diplomacy. Responsibilities include selecting submissions for peer review, overseeing the review process, and contributing to publication decisions. The role also manages workflow and production timelines, provides guidance to authors, and performs high-level editing of manuscripts.
Responsibilities:
1. Works closely with the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Managing Editor, and Associate Perspective Editor to guide and develop the Journal’s Perspective section and related features. Manages workflow and production schedule and provides editorial guidance and high-level substantive editing. Spearheads and coordinates the development of Journal commentary, analysis, and news content and evolution of the design of the section.
2. Collaborates with the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Managing Editor, and Associate Perspective Editor in defining the editorial direction of the Perspective section. Selects submissions for peer review and publication, maintaining a broad overview of the variety and balance of the Journal’s coverage of a wide range of topics at the intersections of medicine and society. Develops topics and identifies authors for Perspective articles, and guest editors for occasional Perspective series, by monitoring the impact of politics, ethics, law, government, business, and education on contemporary medicine. Guides contributors in planning, writing, and revising pieces; guides guest editors in planning series and manages commissioning and review processes for all series.
3. Edits Perspective manuscripts, dividing editorial duties with the Associate Perspective Editor. Edits all Medicine and Society manuscripts. Works closely with authors to clarify and enhance manuscripts while retaining their voice and to prepare articles for review and acceptance by the Editor-in-Chief.
4. Works with the National Correspondent to develop and shape topics for both article and podcast series. Edits all National Correspondent manuscripts and collaborates with National Correspondent, producer, and audio engineer on editing and refining podcast.
5. Organizes medical student and resident course sessions on commentary articles.
6. Works with authors and the Graphics department to create Graphic Perspectives.
7. Selects and collaborates with contractors to envision, develop, and edit video features and video roundtable discussions. Identifies topics and informants and participants for video features; consults with video team as development proceeds.. Identifies and invites moderators and panelists for roundtables, drafts introduction and questions, collaborates in editing video.
8. Coordinates administrative oversight of the Perspective section, supervising the Associate Perspective Editor and the section’s Editorial Assistant. Leads meetings of the Perspective section editorial group. Determines scheduling of Perspective articles.
9. Works as needed with physician editors, staff, and groups outside the organization, including government agencies, media, businesses, and private individuals.
10. Manages other special editorial projects and content development as assigned by the Editor-in-Chief or Executive Managing Editor.
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree is required, and an advanced degree strongly preferred.
- 7+ years of relevant editorial experience required.
- Strong editing and writing experience is needed, along with superior communication skills.
- Experience as a writer and familiarity with the culture of medicine as well as relevant sciences is helpful.
- The ability to work under pressure and meet frequent deadlines is required.
- Must be able to work creatively and collegially with editors and support staff as part of an editorial team.
- The position requires a positive outlook, creative energy, and respect for a team approach to editorial development.
Compensation:
The target base pay for this role is $125,000+. Salary is commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.
Benefits:
Our generous benefits offerings include: 3 weeks of paid vacation, 6 personal days, 12 sick days, 13 paid holidays, medical and dental plans, 401(k) plans with company match, backup childcare assistance, tuition assistance and more!
The MMS has earned praise as one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe for the past 15 years in a row! The Globe surveys employees regarding their opinions about company leadership, benefits, ethics, values and culture, and recognizes those companies who receive high marks from their employees.
The MMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing opportunities to veterans and people with disabilities and a work environment that is welcoming to all.
