The Bulletin Editor-in-Chief

As our current Editor-in-Chief's term comes to an end, The Bulletin, our professional membership journal, is looking for a new Editor-in-Chief from May 2027. 

This voluntary role offers a great opportunity to shape one of RCS England’s principal platforms for surgical debate, lead an innovative, expert editorial board and ensure that the journal reflects the priorities, experience and diversity of the surgical profession.

Apply now

Who can apply

To be eligible for the Editor-in-Chief role, candidates must: 

  • Be an established or honorary consultant, SAS surgeon or equivalent senior medical appointment in the NHS (active or retired in the last 12 months) and must be a Fellow of RCS England; 
  • Have proven editorial experience at a professional membership journal (ideally medical but not essential); 
  • Be an advocate for innovation and integrity in medical publishing. 

We're looking for someone who has:

  • Strategic vision for journal development; 
  • Aptitude for team leadership and energising others; 
  • Commitment to best practice and integrity in research and publishing, including knowledge of publication misconduct; 
  • Effective communication and relationship management with stakeholders across the publishing process; 
  • Awareness of current trends in medical publishing; 
  • Ability to embrace new technologies and working methods; 
  • Enthusiasm for promoting the journal and attracting new submissions and commissioned content from a wide professional network. 

What to expect as Editor-in-Chief

The Bulletin is a fully open-access journal published eight times a year, with more than 100,000 print copies distributed annually to RCS England members. Its reach gives the Editor-in-Chief a unique and substantial platform to shape professional debate, surface emerging issues and connect surgeons across specialties, career stages and healthcare settings. The journal is supported by a diverse editorial board of experts and columnists from across the surgical profession. 

We publish topical content and commissioned feature articles as well as non-clinical research, regular columns, editorials and communications from the RCS England President. While The Bulletin keeps fellows, members and affiliates of RCS England informed of RCS England activities, the features, columns and research articles are also of interest to those outside the College. 

This is an unpaid, voluntary position. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Select and appoint editorial board members to represent surgical specialties and areas of interest and serve as specialty and column editors. You will also act as a point of referral for specialty and column editors. 
  • Guide the journal’s strategic vision alongside the editorial board and publishing team. This includes developing new sections of the journal and defining policies related to publishing ethics, peer review and open access. 
  • Oversee the editorial and peer review process, maintaining fairness and timeliness. 
  • Make final editorial decisions on journal content, ensuring scientific rigour, integrity and alignment with the aims and scope of the journal. 
  • Lead regular editorial board and content commissioning meetings to develop and implement strategies for journal processes, content and the editorial board. 
  • Act as an ambassador for the journal through events, editorials, social media and your interactions with the surgical community. 
  • Address issues of research integrity and publishing ethics, in collaboration with the Journal Council Lead, Director of Communications and Head of Publishing. 
  • Adhere to the College’s Code of Conduct, reflecting the values and professionalism expected of everyone affiliated with the College.

Time commitment:  

You will need to commit approximately two to three hours per week as The Bulletin Editor-in-Chief. 

The benefits of being Editor-in-Chief

  • Lead a respected surgical membership journal with a global reach.
  • Influence the direction of surgical publishing and membership communications. 
  • Collaborate with an expert editorial board and publishing team. 
  • Gain professional recognition and leadership experience. 
  • Advocate for innovation and integrity in medical publishing. 

Terms of the post

  • Initial trial term: 1 year 
  • First term: 2 years (following a successful initial trial term)
  • Second term: 3 years (subject to agreement between the postholder and RCS England)

Apply to become Editor-in-Chief

To apply: 

Ready to begin your next chapter? Submit your CV and a proposal outlining your vision for the journal (max. 3 pages of A4). A strong application will address: 

  • How you envisage The Bulletin’s overall scope and goals, including ideas for broadening its reach; 
  • Strengths of the journal, as well as opportunities for improvement; 
  • Innovative editorial and/or operational developments that can improve publication quality and timelines; 
  • Your thoughts on the challenges medical and membership publishing could face in the next five years and how you would address them; 
  • The qualities and experience that make you suited to the role; 
  • Any other relevant information that supports your application.

Please submit your proposal by Monday 4 January 2027 to Mandy Webb, RCS England Head of Publishing, at mwebb@rcseng.ac.uk. 

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be scheduled throughout January and February 2027.

 

Contact

If you have any questions about the Editor-in-Chief role, email mwebb@rcseng.ac.uk and we’ll be happy to help. 

Share this page: