Publications & Editorial Lead (Maternity Cover)

About the role

The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is seeking a full-time Publications & Editorial Lead for a 12-month fixed term maternity leave contract.

They will work with the Publications & Research Lead to manage our key publications, including our quarterly journal, analysis, and reports. They will leverage excellent writing and editing skills to shape our written outputs, and review, develop, and draft content on environmental topics. They will work to produce publications in collaboration with the wider staff team and with external contributors, helping to maintain an outstanding standard for our publications.

The Publications & Editorial Lead will use existing IES processes to ensure we cover new and interesting ground in our outputs. They will have an interest in environmental science, experience in science writing and communication, a finger on the pulse for emerging topics of interest, and a sense of what subjects really matter to environmental professionals. They will bring a good understanding of visuals and design and will enjoy originating ideas for articles.

This role requires a proactive, collaborative, and diplomatic individual with proven experience in editing and project management. They will be a fast learner who is comfortable working independently, remotely, and with a small staff team. They will understand the dynamics of working in a non-profit and will confidently take ownership over their workstream.

The role is remote, with quarterly team days held in central London. There will be the occasional need to travel within the UK for work events.

Is this the role for you?

This might be the right opportunity for you if you enjoy using your exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills to deliver high-quality, evidence-led written content and publications. The ideal candidate will have experience in professional editing and project or publication management, and will be motivated by collaborating with others to communicate important environmental research and professional practice to a range of stakeholders.

About the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)

As the global professional membership body for environmental scientists, the IES supports a diverse network of professionals all over the world – and at every stage of their education and careers – to connect, develop, progress and inspire. We’ve been working since 1971 to ensure that the environmental scientists of today – and of the future – are connected, skilled and knowledgeable. We support our members to reach their career goals through Chartership and membership opportunities, and work to raise the profile of our members’ increasingly crucial work. Today, there is an environmental dimension to every debate – and our thousands of members are embedded in every field at the heart of global, evidence-based solutions.

Our strong ties with academia, government and the professions mean we’re in a unique position to influence transformative change. Working as one, we know we can help each other solve environmental challenges and co-create a sustainable society for people and nature alike.

The IES is at the forefront of uniting this interdisciplinary field around a shared goal: to work with speed, vision and expertise to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, together.

How the IES can support you

We offer our employees:

• Flexible working: employees can structure their working week around our core hours of 10am – 4pm.
• Remote work, with quarterly team days in person (usually in London).
• The IES is a Disability Confident employer: disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role will be guaranteed an interview.

The deadline for submitting applications is 12pm (Noon) on Monday 30th November 2026.

Candidates must be available to begin this role in mid-February 2027.

For an informal conversation about the role, or to request this job advert in another format such as plain text, please contact Lucy Rowland, on [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call the IES office on +44 (0)20 3862 7484.

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, for example, your application being submitted in a different format or having interview questions provided in writing before/during the interview. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job, for example, provision of assistive technologies e.g. screen readers, adaptive keyboards or specialist equipment, e.g. ergonomic chairs.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.