Employee stories

Ulrike, you are De Gruyter’s Senior Manager Publishing Technology & Applications – what do you actually do?
I’m responsible for the technical maintenance of our website and publication platform. I make sure that researchers, librarians, students and other interested readers can use our content and other information and services on degruyter.com or via other providers such as Google. We want to ensure that our users can find and access our content, regardless of which platform they use for their research. That is what my colleagues and I do. Of course, we don’t do this on our own, we also work with external service providers and managing them is also part of my job.

What is your favorite thing about working at De Gruyter?
I like the variety of my job which is due to the very different expectations that 28 different editorial teams have from technology. In one journal, there may be vast amounts of mathematical formulae, code and 3D visuals. Another may have runes or old manuscripts with their transcriptions. This variety, along with that of constantly changing publication standards and technology, keeps me on my toes. Also, there are always new service providers with new products that seek to support and simplify the publication process – I find the developments in this sector fascinating.

Which skills should someone have that wants to work at De Gruyter?
You must be able to approach the daily challenges in an open, solution-driven and creative manner. Empathy and flexibility help to interact successfully with different colleagues, service providers, authors and editors. To keep your focus, you need to be goal-oriented and efficient. Applicants should be keen on working in an international setting – we work in English, but are from all over the world.

Harald, what does your job as De Gruyter’s Director Fulfillment entail?
I ensure that the customer gets his or her book. My team and I are responsible for distribution, logistics and everything else to make sure that our products are available in libraries and bookstores all over the world. We work closely with Production and Sales. Several years ago, we began using an external partner for fulfillment, so we manage the processes instead of executing them ourselves.

What do you value most about De Gruyter?
De Gruyter is something of a family for me. I’ve been here since 1993 and my first manager was the grandson of our founder, Walter de Gruyter. Since I have been here, the company has always faced the future with courage and inspiration, despite the massive changes in the media landscape over the past 25 years. We have integrated several acquired publishing houses and have completely overhauled the way we work – both in terms of organizational and in terms of technology – which was a major, internal cultural revolution. Every integrated acquisition brought a bit of their own spirit to De Gruyter and this enriches our publishing programs and the diversity of personalities we have. I feel like a cross between an entertainer and a mediator. Despite all of the changes and expansions we have never lost sight of our long history and traditions, which I find remarkable.

Is your live outside of the office just as varied?
Yes! Variety and change is my thing outside of the office as well – hardly surprising after thirteen seasons as an extra and director’s assistant at the Berlin State Theater.