Manager, Content Development and Licensing

Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one-hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.

The Manager, Content Development & Licensing is highly experienced in content collection and curation and is responsible for managing the licensing, acquisition, and evaluation of journals, books, and other content for APA’s discovery solutions. They use knowledge of scholarly and professional publishing industry standards, both on an editorial and technical level, to guide the acquisition of appropriate material and suggest improvements to the products. They also manage a team involved in content evaluation and acquisition activities in a remote work environment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred.


• Preferred academic experience includes psychology or a closely related social science; however, candidates with degrees in the liberal arts, marketing, business administration, and library science are eligible.


• At least 5 years of staff supervision in scholarly or professional publishing and/or editorial environment is also required. 


• 3-5 years of experience in contract negotiation particularly involving content licensing agreements (preferably in scholarly publishing) is required.


• Experience with copyright and/or Creative Commons licenses is required.


• Experience must include management of complex, deadline-driven programs; budgeting; working knowledge of permissions; and culturally sensitive oral and written communication, including public speaking.

Computer Skills Required:

• Microsoft Office or Similar Advanced


• Adobe Acrobat User


• Microsoft Excel or Similar Intermediate


• Vendor/Production Systems  Advanced


• Web- and App-Based Search Systems Advanced


• XML User


• Videoconferencing software (Zoom, Teams, etc.) User

Responsibilities:

• Manages a team of Content Development staff, overseeing staff performance and all other personnel-related activities


• Develops best practices for identifying appropriate content for multiple psychology- related databases and monitors ongoing collection development in collaboration with the Director, Content Management


• Builds relationships with journal and book publishers to facilitate inclusion of their content in databases; includes potentially sensitive communications with publishers/editors


• Negotiates coverage & license agreements and electronic feed processes with publishers to provide the most efficient formats for processing in a cost-effective manner


• Interacts with APA IT regarding e-feed arrangements and interconnections between publishers and Content Development staff


• Develops and enforces coverage policies for journals, books, and other content coverage in databases


• Develops and manages budgets for content development staff and resources


• 5-10% domestic and international travel is expected.


• Other duties as assigned

About APA:

The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 146,000 psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc.

APA offers a generous employee benefits program, including Remote Work/Flexible Scheduling; a 401(k) option with employer match of up to 4%; medical, dental, and vision insurance options and an outpatient mental health benefit; paid personal/vacation time plus 12 paid holidays; Family/Medical Leave; tuition assistance; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); short- and long-term disability insurance; and more. 

Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA’s Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates must apply online through APA’s applicant system and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your Spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.

The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.

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