Head of Quality

Cambridge University Press Ltd.; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - GBP 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher in Cambridge is looking for a Head of Quality to lead their quality management strategy for the International Education division. The role involves developing quality systems, managing audits, and ensuring alignment with ISO standards. Ideal candidates will hold quality management certifications and possess significant experience in complex environments. Alongside competitive benefits like private medical insurance and annual leave, this hybrid position offers flexibility in work arrangements.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality management in a complex or regulated environment.
• Comfortable working with senior colleagues on sensitive issues.
• Ability to balance expertise with empathy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Management System for the International Education division.
• Develop and maintain the quality management system and policies.
• Manage internal quality and control audits.

Skills

Certified quality management auditor/internal audit lead status (ISO 9001 or similar)

Outstanding knowledge of quality management systems

Confidence in communicating with teams and leaders

The ability to analyze complex information

Experience managing issues effectively

Resilience to handle challenging situations

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Head of Quality

Contract: Full time, permanent, 35 hours per week

Salary: £69,600-£93,000 per annum (Final salary positioning will be determined by the level of relevant expertise and evidence provided during the recruitment process)

Location: Cambridge, Hybrid (2-3 days per week in Cambridge)

Help us protect what matters most-the quality and trust behind Cambridge assessments

At Cambridge University Press & Assessment, we're proud of the impact our work has on learners, teachers, and communities across the world. Every day, millions rely on us to get things right. That's why quality sits at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for a Head of Quality to help shape the future of our quality management across International Education. If you care about clarity, standards and doing work that really makes a difference, this role offers something meaningful and long-lasting.

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

About the role

This is a role with genuine reach. You'll lead the Quality Management System for our International Education division- covering assessments and services delivered in more than 165 countries. You'll work closely with senior leaders and teams across the organisation to ensure our processes are consistently effective, efficient and resilient and align with the ISO 9001 standard.

Key accountabilities

• Setting and delivering our quality management strategy
• Developing and maintaining the quality management system, policies, procedures and guidance used across International Education
• Managing the programme of internal quality and control audits and reporting
• Leading assurance reviews of core processes at Board level committees
• Coordinating responses to Very Serious Issues (VSIs) and supporting colleagues across the organisation to resolve these effectively
• Building capability within the team and supporting a culture where quality is genuinely understood and valued

This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40-60% of their time collaborating and connecting face-to-face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition.

About You

You'll bring experience leading quality management in a complex or regulated environment- and you'll be comfortable working with senior colleagues on sensitive or high-risk issues.

We're looking for someone who can balance expertise with empathy, and clarity with pragmatism.

You'll need:

• Certified quality management auditor/internal audit lead status (ISO 9001 or similar)
• Outstanding knowledge of quality management systems and performance indicators
• Experience in managing issues effectively, identifying root causes and planning corrective actions
• Confidence in communicating with a wide range of teams and leaders
• The ability to analyse complex information and make sound, well-reasoned decisions
• A steady approach under pressure and the resilience to handle challenging situations

It's a bonus if you also have:

• Knowledge and understanding of risk management and controls auditing
• Experience in assessment, education or a similar industry
• Knowledge of international regulatory considerations linked to assessment or publishing

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site.

Rewards and benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 22nd February 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place w/c 2nd March & w/c 9th March 2026.

1st Round: MS Teams panel interview

2nd Round (If successful after 1st rd): Face-to-Face interview in Cambridge with a presentation + an opportunity to meet the wider team

AI tools can be helpful for structuring ideas, but they can't replace your own understanding of your strengths or motivation. Applications created solely by AI often lack the specific detail we look for and may not stand out. Please take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter so they reflect you and your fit for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long-term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You will belong to a collaborative team that is exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it is safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.

We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.