At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality management for international education, ensuring effective processes across 165 countries.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave plus health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on global education while shaping quality standards.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality management and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 59600 - 74400 £ per year.
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.
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.
Requirements
- 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
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
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, and disclose a disability or a long-term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Rewards And Benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 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 22 February 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place w/c 2 March 2026 and w/c 9 March 2026.
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.
Head of Quality - 6861 in Cambridge employer: Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Contact Detail:
Cambridge University Press & Assessment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Quality - 6861 in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and quality management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Cambridge University Press & Assessment thoroughly—know their values, mission, and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around quality management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in quality management and how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles. Confidence is key when you’re in front of the interview panel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Quality - 6861 in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Quality role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've led quality management initiatives in the past. We want to see the impact you've made and how it relates to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise: Quality is all about clarity, so make sure your application is easy to read. Avoid jargon and keep your sentences straightforward. This will help us see your communication skills right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our official website. This ensures your application gets to the right place and helps us keep track of everything. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge University Press & Assessment
✨Know Your Quality Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of quality management systems, especially ISO 9001. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these standards in previous roles and how they can be applied to the International Education division.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical quality issues or manage crises. Think of examples from your past experience where you identified root causes and implemented corrective actions effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Quality, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and influence senior leaders. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your leadership style, particularly in high-pressure situations or when dealing with sensitive issues.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating complex information in a clear and concise manner. This role requires effective communication across various teams, so be prepared to showcase your ability to convey important quality management concepts to diverse audiences.