RFA for JVS Editor-in-Chief Position

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Summary

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) seeks a new editor-in-chief (EIC) for its flagship journal, the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS). The JVS is the premier international journal of medical, endovascular, and surgical care of vascular diseases. It is a hybrid subscription and open-access monthly publication that receives close to 2,000 submissions annually.

The SVS Executive Board appoints the EIC, who is responsible for the academic and editorial quality of the JVS. The EIC will collaborate closely with the senior managing editor, the publisher, the executive editor of the JVS journals, the companion journals EICs, and the SVS director of publications.

The successful candidate is expected to start their editorial tenure on July 1, 2025, and receive transitional support from the editorial leadership group, including Executive Editor Dr. Ronald Dalman and current JVS EIC Dr. Thomas Forbes. The initial term will be four years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional two years, dependent on EIC interest and the recommendation of the Publications Committee.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the academic quality of the JVS, ensuring that JVS content is accurate, credible, authoritative, and relevant to the journal’s scope and mission.
• With support from the senior managing editor, determine and regularly evaluate progress on key performance indicators and set performance targets for the JVS.
• Approve all materials for publication in JVS, including articles, commentaries, editorials, reviews, and advertising. All editorial decisions—except when the EIC is conflicted—are finally made by the EIC.
• Determine the lineup for each issue of the journal and, along with the senior managing editor, review the issue proofs prior to publication.
• Appoint and oversee JVS associate editors and the members of the JVS Editorial Board.
• Participate in the selection process for open EIC positions at other JVS journals.
• Collaborate with other portfolio EICs to coordinate internal transfer offers for submissions not of interest to the JVS.
• Establish procedures to help maintain journal quality, identify errors and problems, detect trends that reflect quality deterioration, and, in collaboration with the publisher, implement corrective actions as needed.
• Conduct at least one Editorial Board meeting annually, during which the EIC will provide the Editorial Board with an update on the Journal, identify and discuss areas needing performance improvement, and explore opportunities for editorial development and potential enhancements to the print and online Journal.
• Act professionally, without prejudice or conflict of interest. The EIC must divest from all commercial stakes and interests that might impact, or be perceived to impact, their ability to make objective decisions on behalf of the JVS.
• Provide regular updates to the Publications Committee on JVS performance and initiatives in collaboration with the executive editor.
• Meet regularly with the companion journal EICs and the executive editor to maintain awareness of issues and initiatives across the portfolio, discuss best practices, and support optimal coordination and collaboration.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan for the JVS, collaborating with the executive editor and director of publications.

Time & Travel Commitment

On average, the expectation is that the JVS EIC will spend 12-20 hours per week on JVS responsibilities. This includes daily engagement with the editorial review and decision workflow in Editorial Manager, including processing new submissions (by deciding to desk reject, to send for peer review, or to assign to an associate editor for handling), reviewing completed peer reviews for manuscripts ready for an editorial decision, or reviewing and finalizing the editorial decisions of associate editors. In addition, the EIC meets regularly with both the JVS editor group (biweekly meetings) and the editorial leadership of the portfolio (monthly meetings), along with ad hoc calls with the executive editor, SVS journals staff, and other stakeholders on an as-needed basis. While most of the EIC responsibilities are carried out remotely, the EIC is expected to attend the VAM each year and the annual one-day EIC retreat at SVS headquarters each fall. 

Conflicts of Interest

Per the SVS Policy on Conflict, JVS editors may have no direct financial relationships with industry during their terms of service. A direct financial relationship is a compensated relationship that should generate an IRS Form W-2, 1099, or equivalent income report. If the successful applicant currently has direct financial relationships with industry, these relationships must be terminated within six months of appointment. NB: JVS editors may accept research support as long as monies are paid to the institution where the research is conducted, not to the individual. Nevertheless, in all cases, research support, uncompensated services, and other permitted relationships must be disclosed to the SVS. The EIC should not have editorial leadership positions with other journals.

Application Process

Applicants must complete the online application form and share their current curriculum vitae for the Search Committee’s review. Please send your CV to Phil Jackson, SVS staff liaison to the Search Committee.

SVS is committed to a fair and inclusive selection process and values the contributions of diverse perspectives and experiences to the health of our scholarly journals and our Society. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds to apply.