At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and governance for the IELTS partnership across multiple organisations.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a globally recognised academic publisher.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, private medical insurance, and a discretionary bonus.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with flexible hours and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that drives global education standards.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in senior programme management and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 50400 - 68800 £ per year.
Salary: £60,400 - £80,800 per annum
Location: Cambridge, UK / Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week (considering 4 days or condensed hours)
Play a pivotal role at the centre of a globally recognised partnership, driving strategy, governance and delivery at the highest level. 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
As a Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager, you will serve as the central orchestrator of the IELTS strategic and business planning cycle, governance, and risk management across partner organisations. You will:
- Lead and manage the delivery of the IELTS Strategy across three partners, ensuring alignment despite differing priorities and governance models.
- Facilitate Executive Committee and Board engagement, driving strategic planning and operating as a trusted advisor on governance effectiveness.
- Lead scenario planning, identifying interdependencies and anticipating risks to maintain delivery momentum.
- Oversee resource and business planning (financial and people) to enable effective delivery of the Business Plan.
- Implement OKRs and reporting mechanisms to track strategic progress, operational health, and financial performance.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with PMO, finance, marketing, operational and strategic teams across all partners.
- Support investment decisions and maintain oversight of cross‑partner business cases, benefits realisation, and portfolio reporting.
- Drive continuous improvement of the IELTS operating model to adapt to market and organisational change.
This role plays a highly influential part in ensuring the IELTS partnership operates with clarity, transparency, and shared strategic purpose. This position has been classified as a hybrid role; the selected candidate will typically spend 40‑60% of their time collaborating and connecting face‑to‑face at their dedicated location. Other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition.
About You
You will be an experienced senior PMO or programme leader, energised by complexity, partnership working, and strategic influence. You bring:
- Extensive senior‑level business management or programme management experience in a complex (ideally international) organisation.
- A strong track record of PMO leadership, organisational change delivery, and cross‑functional stakeholder management.
- The ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and drive alignment without direct authority.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, influential and relationship‑building skills.
- High cultural agility and fluency in influencing across diverse organisational norms.
- Confidence using data insights to support decision‑making and strategic recommendations.
- Experience of managing budgets and understanding financial planning in a portfolio environment.
Desired Criteria
- Knowledge of the English language proficiency testing market.
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× annual salary
- Green travel schemes
Eligibility and Diversity
We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion, ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, disclose a disability or a long‑term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or a long‑term health condition.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.
How to Apply
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 5 March 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews from 12‑17 March 2026.
Interview stages:
- First stage virtual interview via MS Teams.
- Final stage interview: in‑person at our offices in Cambridge or via MS Teams.
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.
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. Applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters.
Why join us
Joining us is an 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 that 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.
Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager employer: Cambridge Assessment
Cambridge Assessment is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of portfolio management. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while enjoying benefits such as private medical insurance and a discretionary bonus. Located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, this role offers a unique chance to engage with senior leaders and contribute to strategic decision-making in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Cambridge University Press & Assessment on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the IELTS strategy and governance models. Show us you know your stuff and can hit the ground running in this pivotal role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. As a Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager, you'll need to influence and build relationships. Mock interviews with friends can help you nail that pitch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in PMO leadership and strategic influence. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Senior Portfolio & Governance Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management and relationship building, it’s crucial to demonstrate your exceptional communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
Highlight Your Experience with Data:We’re looking for someone who can use data insights to support decision-making. Be sure to mention any experience you have with financial planning or managing budgets in a portfolio environment. This will show us that you can navigate the complexities of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official online application procedure! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us maintain a smooth recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge Assessment
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the IELTS strategy and governance models. Understand how Cambridge University Press & Assessment operates within the global landscape. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your PMO leadership and cross-functional stakeholder management. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've navigated complexity and driven alignment among diverse teams, as this role requires strong strategic influence.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Planning
Since the role involves anticipating risks and identifying interdependencies, think of past experiences where you've successfully managed similar challenges. Use these examples to demonstrate your ability to maintain delivery momentum in a complex environment.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your exceptional communication and relationship-building skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've built trust with various stakeholders in previous roles, as this is crucial for driving effective governance and collaboration across partners.
