Our technical support specialists help our community meet their publishing goals — by providing technical and hosting support for journals, conferences or monographs using PKP software, writing and updating documentation, teaching workshops, and more.
There is currently a position open for Publishing Partnerships Specialist with PKP Publishing Services.
Contact: Patricia Mangahis
Public Knowledge Project
Office of the Vice-President, Research and International
8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC
Job Title: Publishing Partnerships Specialist for PKP Publishing Services
The Public Knowledge Project (PKP) is seeking a personable, tech-savvy, creative individual with strong communication and relationship-building skills to do consultative sales for our open source scholarly publishing software and services.
PKP develops open source software for scholarly publishing and provides fee-based hosting, support, and software development services for Open Journal Systems (OJS) and other PKP web applications through PKP Publishing Services (PKP|PS). OJS is the most widely used publishing software in the world and in this role you will work with PKP’s sales, communications, and support teams to grow the client base that uses our services and ensure that prospective clients receive excellent care and information as you guide them through the sales, onboarding, and renewal process.
This is a unique opportunity to work in the IT sector for a university-based, non-commercial project with strong values and a worthy mission to further global open access to scholarly research. As a member of a small and growing international team, you will have the opportunity to create new systems and strategies; lead projects and initiatives; travel internationally; and work in a supportive, collaborative, and flexible remote team environment.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Respond to inquiries from potential clients and provide information about PKP’s software and hosting and support services.
- Prepare and deliver presentations and software demonstrations to potential clients, both online and in-person and to large and small groups.
- Research potential clients and markets, develop an understanding of their publishing and service needs, and implement strategies and solutions to market to and meet their needs.
- Foster and maintain positive, trusting relationships with clients, as you lead them through the sales journey, setup and onboarding, and service renewals.
- Work with the Client Services Manager to negotiate and create quotes and custom agreements with new clients.
- Work with PKP’s systems administrators and software developers to find migration and customization solutions to meet clients’ needs and support a sustainable service model.
- Maintain awareness of PKP’s evolving software, services, and projects and how these fit into the broader scholarly communications and publishing software landscapes.
- Identify, document, and communicate changes and improvements that could be made to PKP software and services to better serve client and market needs.
- Work with PKP’s sales and communications teams to develop effective marketing and sales plans and materials to grow PKP|PS.
- Participate in conferences and events to share information about PKP software and services, develop relationships with clients and partners, and stay informed about trends and advancements in scholarly publishing.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Post-secondary degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to build productive and collaborative relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
- Able to analyze, understand, and synthesize clients’ needs and find creative solutions in cooperation with a team.
- Ease and interest in learning and using software applications. Experience with customer relationship management software, scholarly publishing software, or content management systems would be a bonus.
- Experience demonstrating and explaining software applications or other technical concepts to people with a wide range of technical skills and knowledge.
- Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Independent and self-motivated. Experience working in a remote environment is preferred.
- Fluency in English is required. Fluency in other languages and international or regionally diverse work experience is an asset.
Working arrangements
This is a one-year independent contractor position, with the possibility of extension and with opportunities for advancement within the role.
PKP is a remote team. The successful candidate can work remotely from anywhere in the world with flexible working hours, except for the need to participate in scheduled team meetings that coordinate with the Pacific and Eastern Canada time zones. The position can be between 25 and 35 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s preference.
Contract fee
The contract fee is $36 to $41 CAD per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Application process
Please apply with a resume and cover letter, no later than 4:00 pm Pacific Time on January 8, 2023.
The Public Knowledge Project is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all genders, visible minorities, persons of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2SIA+ identified persons.
About PKP
PKP is a research facility developing (free) open source software and conducting research to improve the quality, reach, and diversity of scholarly publishing. PKP’s various website platforms, including Open Journal Systems (OJS), Open Preprint Systems (OPS), and Open Monograph Press (OMP), guide users through the editorial workflow of scholarly publishing, including submission, review, editing, publishing, and indexing. Thousands of people around the world are now using the software to publish independent journals on a peer-reviewed and open access basis, greatly increasing the public and global contribution of research and scholarship.
PKP works with several stakeholders, including sustainers, donors, and development partners who provide financial support; software developers and programmers who contribute to the ongoing development of open source software; and strategic partners who consult with PKP on strategic goals.
In addition to supporting free, open source software, PKP offers journal hosting to organizations from around the world, including university libraries, scholarly and scientific societies, and associations, commercial publishers, non-profit organizations, and independent scholar-publishers.
PKP is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment. We believe an open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We seek to contribute to efforts and goals to develop and support the decolonization of scholarly publishing, to collaborate in postcolonial publishing initiatives, and to provide the means for a diversity of academic inquiry and voices to readily engage in scholarly publishing.
