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Editor-in-Chief: American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM)

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is the premier global organization representing the interests of orthopaedic surgeons and other professionals who provide comprehensive health services for the care of active people of all ages. We cultivate evidence-based knowledge, provide extensive publishing and educational programming, and promote emerging research that advances the science and practice of sports medicine. We engage a community of sports medicine specialists to exchange ideas and best practices for all athletes – from professional teams to health-minded individuals and youth sports. We also provide useful guidance to help the public understand how to avoid sports injuries. Ultimately, we strive to prevent and reduce sports injuries, accelerate safe return to play, and promote effective clinical care so that people can continue to live healthy and active lifestyles.

The Society has an opening commencing August 1, 2024, for an Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM). This position calls for a hands-on, proactive, energetic, technology savvy sports medicine physician who will:

• Manage the continuum of editorial tasks associated with producing the American Journal of Sports Medicine (AJSM).
• Champion editorial independence and integrity of the journal and continue development of content for leading-edge science of sports medicine.
• Espouse an aptitude for building relationships with volunteer leaders eliciting their ideas and support for current and future endeavors focused on elite editorial content development for AOSSM members and the world orthopaedic sports medicine community.
• Participate-in and complement the AOSSM Publishing Board.

General Summary

The AJSM Editor-in-Chief leads this journal:

• Framing journal editorial policy jointly with all appropriate parties inclusive, but not limited to the AJSM Editorial Board, AOSSM Publishing Board, AOSSM Board of Directors, and SAGE Publishing, to name a few; working on editorial development plans, indexing strategies, etc.
• Ensuring an adequate flow of material to meet the publication schedules.
• Working with the AJSM Editorial Board to commission Special Issues.
• Appointing Reviewers for the journal.
• Final decisions on the acceptance or rejection of articles submitted to the Journal. In all cases the Editor-in-Chief’s decision on a paper will be final.
• Managing authors’ appeals regarding decisions.
• Chairing AJSM Editorial Board Meetings (zoom meetings, and in-person at the AOSSM Annual Meeting).
• Supervising and mentoring associate editors in their work.
• Recommending to the AOSSM Publishing Board the appointment of associate editors as appropriate in consultation with the Director of Publishing and approval of the CEO.
• Recommending volunteers for the AJSM Editorial Board as part of the annual Volunteer Appointment Committee (VAC) process.

Responsibilities of the AJSM Editor-in-Chief:

• Assign papers to associate editors, select reviewers, and manage the peer-review process for submissions to the Journal.
• Supplement submitted reviews according to his/her judgment to facilitate publication decisions.
• Edit papers according to his/her judgment to prepare them for publication in the Journal.
• Recommend preliminary and final publication decisions on submitted papers.
• Attend meetings of the AOSSM Publishing Board.
• Consult with, and support, the Director of Publishing in his/her responsibilities to drive business operations.

• When appropriate and in conjunction with the AOSSM Publishing Board and Director of Publishing provide strategic direction in identifying and formulating new medical publications, such as monographs, encyclopedias, journals, and texts, for orthopaedic and sports medicine professionals.
• Assist in the development of AOSSM Board of Director- approved publications, including working with the Director of Publishing in structuring, selecting, and overseeing editorial support; developing and monitoring production timelines and providing general direction content development and publication.

• Establish and maintain a consistent and thorough peer review process, including developing an editorial structure, identifying participants, and providing guidelines and direction for review.

• Manage the submission and review of articles to ensure the selection of high-quality papers of editorial interest to the Journal and to encourage broad participation by the orthopaedic and sports medicine community.

• Determine the content and editorial direction of the Journal so that it retains its reputation as a pre-eminent orthopaedic sports medicine journal, through an appropriate balance of high-quality articles (basic science, clinical, current concepts, etc.) and supplemental features that maintain and expand its readership.

• Maintain an appropriate presence with the orthopaedic community by interacting with authors, contributors, reviewers, and others, and writing regular editorials.
• On occasion, represent the Journal and the AOSSM at national and international orthopaedic events as appropriate in consideration of finances with the Director of Publishing and approval of the CEO; and in accordance with Society travel guidelines, and contractual language in the independent contractor agreement.

AOSSM Publishing Board

• Assist the Chair and Director of Publishing in establishing meeting agendas.
• Develop regular status reports and editorial recommendations for AOSSM Publishing Board review and consideration.
• Participate as ex-officio, non-voting member of the AOSSM Publishing Board.
• Research and make recommendations to fully maximize publishing options, e.g., to be inclusive but not limited to emerging trends in the publishing landscape, digital media, etc.

General & Administrative

• Work with the AOSSM professional team to enhance and promote efforts related to editorial and content development, communications, volunteer recruitment, etc.
• When engaged, provide input to the Director of Publishing on budgetary and business decisions related to publishing operations.
• Select the recipient of the Jack C. Hughston, MD, Award.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as identified by the AOSSM Board of Directors and the CEO.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Journal publisher in the production of the Journal.
• Coordinate and work with the AJSM journal editorial team.

Candidate Requirements:

• Candidates are required to be orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine and have current certification by any of the following:
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
  • American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (AOBOS)
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
• Candidates are required to be a current, Active-category member of AOSSM.
• Minimum five years required experience actively engaged and/or leading a scientific medical journal, preferably in orthopaedic sports medicine.
• ABOS Sub-specialty Certification in Sports Medicine, along with knowledge and interest in the sports medicine medical specialty board certification process, is required.
• General understanding and knowledge of ACGME/CME requirements.
• General understanding of emerging issues in the publishing landscape, e.g., open access, publishing consortiums, etc.
• Superior organizational skills that utilize computer planning tools, emerging technologies, and automation for maximizing efficiencies.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas, concepts and specific instructions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with a diverse professional membership audience.
• Ability to work remotely and independently while also effectively interacting and collaborating with individuals, service providers and organizations to achieve editorial superiority and AOSSM goals.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills: Word, TEAMS, ZOOM, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Understanding of computer-based learning (e.g., an LMS platform) and instructional design a plus
• Experience with electronic journal submission and manuscript management systems desirable.
• Appropriate office space, technology and basic devices needed to work remotely.

Personal Attributes:

AOSSM employs a highly efficient, well-functioning business model that comprises a tightly knit core team of professionals, independent contractors and volunteers. With the flexibility of a non-traditional workplace, AOSSM employs and contracts seasoned, gifted and knowledgeable professionals possessing these essential characteristics and attributes:

• Diplomatic
• Professional demeanor
• Ethical
• High level of integrity
• Achievement oriented
• Disciplined
• Intuitive and abstract thinker
• Self-directed and independent
• Team oriented

This is a remote, independent contractor role. AOSSM offers competitive compensation. Travel may sometimes include overnight/out-of-state/out-of-country travel, including the AOSSM Annual Meeting in July. AOSSM is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Application Requirements:

To be considered for this opportunity, a complete application including the documents listed below must be received via the provided link by Friday, May 31, 2024 (Close of Business, Central Standard Time). Required items:

• Cover Letter of Qualifications and Reason for Applying
• Curriculum Vitae
• (2) Letters of Recommendation

Application Deadline: Friday, May 31, 2024 (Close of Business/Central Standard Time)

The process will include a screening period with final candidates being interviewed in-person at the AOSSM Annual Meeting in Denver, July 11-13.