Call for Editor-in-Chief

Journal of Women's & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Application Deadline: 11:59pm EST, Sunday, May 31, 2026

The Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT) is the official, peer-reviewed publication of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APTA Pelvic Health). The Editor-in-Chief provides strategic, editorial, and operational leadership for the JWPHPT.

APTA Pelvic Health invites applications for the position of JWPHPT Editor-in-Chief for a five-year term with the possibility of renewal for an additional five-year term. The selected candidate will begin a transition period with the current Editor-in-Chief in June 2026 to support onboarding and continuity of journal operations.

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for ensuring the publication of high-quality, innovative research in women’s and pelvic health physical therapy. This role advances evidence-based care and supports a world that prioritizes optimal pelvic and abdominal health across the lifespan.

Society Affiliation

The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APTA Pelvic Health) is a component of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) dedicated to advancing pelvic and abdominal health through education, research, advocacy, and professional collaboration. The APTA Pelvic Health supports clinicians, researchers, and educators in improving patient care across the lifespan. The Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT)(ISSN 1556-6803) is a registered trademark of APTA Pelvic Health and serves as its official peer-reviewed publication. JWPHPT is indexed in Cumulative Index to Nursing Administration and Health Literature (CINAHL), EBSCO A-Z, Ex Libris, HINARI, JournalGuide, ProQuest, TDNet, and EMCARE.

Journal Scope

The Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT) publishes peer-reviewed scholarly work to advance women’s and pelvic health physical therapy practice. As a leading indexed resource, the journal promotes evidence-based care through the dissemination of research, translation of clinically relevant knowledge, and integration of theory into education and practice. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer, a subsidiary of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Content spans multiple systems, with emphasis on musculoskeletal, urological, and gynecological health, as well as biomechanical and psychosocial considerations across the lifespan. The journal features original research and integrative scholarship addressing the complex interplay of genitourinary, neuromusculoskeletal, and cardiorespiratory systems in women’s and pelvic health physical therapy.

JWPHPT is supported by a dedicated community of expert reviewers committed to maintaining high standards of scientific rigor and clinical relevance. In addition to traditional publications, the journal leverages digital media—including videos and social platforms—to enhance accessibility and support the translation of research into clinical practice worldwide.

Vision

APTA Pelvic Health is seeking an Editor-in-Chief who:

Recognizes the critical role of a high-quality professional journal in advancing women’s and pelvic health physical therapy
Supports the development of the profession’s knowledge base to inform clinical practice and education
Values and promotes diverse research contributions, including clinical, translational, educational, and foundational science
Champions the translation of research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes
Serves as a recognized leader within the pelvic health and women’s health physical therapy communities
Fosters and engages an international readership and contributor base
Embraces the importance of digital presence and social media in modern scholarly publishing
Brings a creative, forward-thinking approach to expanding the journal’s visibility, reach, and impact through innovative dissemination and engagement strategies
Navigates complex situations with professionalism, including conflict resolution, while upholding the integrity of the journal
Demonstrates adaptability and responsiveness to changes in scholarly publishing, including evolving standards, technologies, and dissemination models

Key Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Journal of Women’s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (JWPHPT) Editorial Board, the Editor-in-Chief will:

Strategic Leadership & Growth

Provide strategic vision and leadership to advance the journal’s quality, impact, and long-term sustainability in alignment with the APTA Pelvic Health’s mission, vision, strategic plan, research agenda, and scope
Lead the continued growth and positioning of the journal as a leader in women’s and pelvic health rehabilitation
Advance the journal’s visibility and accessibility, including pursuing inclusion in additional indexing databases and enhancing discoverability across key academic and clinical platforms
Lead and coordinate efforts related to journal indexing and impact factor attainment, including preparation of applications, documentation, and alignment with indexing criteria
Advance the publication and translation of innovative research in women’s and pelvic health physical therapy to support evidence-based practice and enhance patient outcomes
Monitor and use journal performance data (e.g., submissions, acceptance rates, review timelines) to inform decision-making and strategic planning
Stay informed of emerging trends and innovations in scholarly publishing, digital dissemination, and social media strategies
Represent the journal at national and international professional meetings and events

Editorial Leadership & Peer Review

Actively solicit and cultivate high-quality submissions through outreach, relationship-building, and engagement with the research community
Guide content strategy, including special or guest-edited issues
Supervise editors, reviewers, committees, workgroups, and task forces to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to editorial standards.
Strategically delegate responsibilities to the Senior Editor and Associate Editors to ensure the efficient and timely production of high-quality, peer-reviewed manuscripts while optimizing workflows and maintaining sustainable workloads
Oversee the integrity, quality, and timeliness of the peer-review process, including final manuscript decisions
Provide constructive, developmental feedback to authors to strengthen scientific rigor and clinical relevance
Recommend, appoint, mentor, and evaluate Editorial Board members (e.g., Senior Editor, Associate Editors, Digital Media Editor); submit appointment recommendations for APTA Pelvic Health Board approval as required
Lead, support, and develop the Editorial Board and reviewer pool, fostering engagement, accountability, and professional development
Periodically survey Editorial Board members and manuscript reviewers to gather feedback on workflows and identify opportunities for the Editor-in-Chief to better support their development
Continuously evaluate and improve editorial workflows, peer-review processes, and journal operations using feedback from the publisher, Editorial Board members, and reviewers, to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability
Provide developmental editorial guidance and mentorship to authors to strengthen manuscript quality and support successful publication
Support multiple rounds of revision as needed to uphold scientific rigor and journal standards
Review and approve campaigns developed by the Digital Media Editor to ensure accuracy, evidence alignment, and adherence to established standards

Production & Publisher Collaboration

Partner with the publisher and oversee the planning and timely publication of 4 quarterly issues annually (Issue 1: Jan/Mar; Issue 2: Apr/Jun; Issue 3: Jul/Sep; Issue 4: Oct/Dec) that feature high-quality, innovative research advancing clinical practice
Author a Lead Editorial and contribute Issue Highlights for each quarterly issue
Collaborate with production teams to manage copyediting, proofreading, and publication workflows
Ensure all manuscripts, figures, and required materials are submitted accurately and on schedule to meet deadlines
Support compliance with publication requirements, including copyright, disclosures, and permissions

Ethics, Governance, and Quality Assurance

Ensure adherence to best practices in editorial independence, transparency, and publication ethics, guided by Committee on Publication Ethics and International Committee of Medical Journal Editors recommendations
Manage ethical issues, including research integrity concerns and authorship disputes
Establish and enforce editorial policies to ensure content quality and appropriate representation across topic areas
Regularly review and update the JWPHPT Policy & Procedure Manual to reflect evolving standards and best practices
Submit Editorial Board member position description changes to the APTA Pelvic Health Board of Directors for final approval
Monitor and respond to post-publication feedback, inquiries, and concerns to uphold journal accountability
Adhere to the APTA Pelvic Health policies and procedures, including but not limited to, APTA Code of Conduct Policy, Confidentiality Policy, American Physical Therapy Association ("APTA") Code of Ethics policy, and the APTA Conduct for the Physical Therapist policy

Operations, Reporting, and Finance

Adhere to the approved annual operating and page budgets; avoid unbudgeted expenses without prior written approval
Submit annual funding requests (e.g., statistician support, meetings, additional resources) for Board consideration
Prepare and deliver to the APTA Pelvic Health Board of Directors an annual action plan regarding direction and objectives for the year, and quarterly progress reports regarding journal performance, growth, needs, and indexing progress
Participate in onboarding with key stakeholders (outgoing Editor-in-Chief, publisher, APTA Pelvic Health staff, and leadership)
Engage in annual self-assessment and performance review with the Board Liaison and Executive Director

Reporting

The Editor-in-Chief reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors of APTA Pelvic Health. The Editor-in-Chief enters into a contractual agreement with the APTA Pelvic Health through the Executive Director. Performance is evaluated annually by the Executive Director and Board of Directors, based on quarterly progress reports, submitted time sheets of hours worked, achievement of journal objectives, and overall role performance. The Editor-in-Chief is also expected to complete an annual self-evaluation as part of this review process.

Time Commitment

On average, this role requires approximately 10 hours per week. In the weeks leading up to issue deadlines, an additional 15–20 hours may be required. The time commitment varies based on the publication cycle, Stakeholder Engagement needs, and the Editor-in-Chief’s ability to effectively manage workload and pace priorities. Time demands may also fluctuate based on engagement with key stakeholders (e.g., Editorial Board, publisher, and APTA Pelvic Health leadership), strategic priorities, and emerging needs. Occasional time-sensitive tasks—such as resolving submission issues or reviewing proofs—may arise. Additional time may be required to support indexing efforts, impact factor applications, and other strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

Credentials

Licensed physical therapist and active member of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APTA Pelvic Health)
Terminal academic doctoral degree (PhD, ScD, DSc, EdD, DHS) in a related field
Established scholarly record with documented peer review experience

Leadership & Service

Prior service on one or more editorial boards
Experience mentoring Editors, Reviewers, and Authors across varying levels of experience
Demonstrated ability to lead, make decisions, and solve problems efficiently
Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively to others

Scholarly Expertise & Knowledge

Strong record of peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations
Experience in scholarly publishing as a peer reviewer and/or editorial board member
Advanced critical appraisal skills, including evaluation of scientific rigor, methodology, and ethics
Recognized knowledge of the women’s and pelvic health physical therapy community (scholars and practitioners)
Familiarity with research design, basic statistics, and research ethics, including Committee on Publication Ethics standards
Knowledge of reporting guidelines (e.g., CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, SQUIRE, STARD, SPIRIT)
Familiarity with protections for research participants and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations
Understands the importance of digital presence and social media in modern scholarly publishing

Technical Skills

Experience with peer-review management systems
Familiarity with manuscript production processes, including layout and design

Communication Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills with timely responsiveness
Fluency in English, with the ability to clearly communicate research findings for clinical application

Desired Attributes

Demonstrated strong leadership and delegation skills
Strategic planning and decision-making skills
Collaborative, team-oriented, and open to diverse perspectives
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective professional relationships
Commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing others
Proactive, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution
Strong commitment to evidence-based practice and scientific rigor
High ethical standards and commitment to integrity in scholarly publishing
Sound editorial judgment and ability to make fair, timely decisions
Ability to balance competing priorities and manage complex workflows effectively
Ability to prioritize effectively and manage competing short-term demands and long-term strategic goals
Ability to perform effectively under deadline-driven conditions while maintaining high standards of quality
Global and inclusive perspective

Relationship

The Editor-in-Chief serves as an independent contractor of APTA Pelvic Health and is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the executed agreement.

Compensation

The position includes an honorarium as approved by the Board of Directors. The Editor-in-Chief may be eligible for reimbursement of pre-approved travel expenses associated with in-person meetings, in accordance with the APTA Pelvic Health’s policies and annual budget. The Editor-in-Chief is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the executed agreement, including provisions for termination by either party.

Appointment

The recruitment, evaluation, and interview process for the EIC shall be conducted by an Editor-in-Chief Search and Interview Task Force (“Task Force”), appointed by the APTA Pelvic Health Board of Directors. The final appointment of the EIC shall be made by the Executive Director, in consultation with, and upon approval of, the APTA Pelvic Health Board of Directors. Upon the occurrence of a vacancy, the APTA Pelvic Health Board of Directors shall establish the Task Force, which shall be responsible for:

Reviewing and, as necessary, revising the EIC position description to reflect current needs and expectations of the APTA Pelvic Health;
Developing and executing a recruitment strategy, including issuing a public call for applications;
Screening, interviewing, and evaluating qualified candidates in accordance with established criteria;
Recommending a final candidate to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval; and
Coordinating with the Executive Director to facilitate execution of the EIC contract.

Dismissal

The Editor-in-Chief serves at the discretion of the APTA Pelvic Health and is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the executed agreement. The contract may be terminated by the Executive Director, or by the Board of Directors in the absence of the Executive Director, for reasons including but not limited to failure to fulfill role responsibilities or violation of APTA Pelvic Health policies.

Application Instructions

Please complete the application by 11:59 pm EST, Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Complete Application

Applicant Components

Full Name and Credentials
Street Address, City, State, Zip
Email Address
Phone Number
APTA Pelvic Health Member ID:
Title, Institution
List of current boards on which you serve
List of conflict of interest disclosures
Editorial Experience and Leadership Preparation (≤500 words)
Vision, Strategic Direction, and Challenges for the Journal (≤500 words total)
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)