At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the production of high-quality printed and digital courseware for global markets.
- Company: Join a leading educational publisher with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by delivering top-notch learning materials.
- Qualifications: Experience in content production and project management in educational publishing.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Production Lead to oversee the end-to-end production of printed and digital courseware across a defined product portfolio. Working in close partnership with Product Managers, Content Development Leads, and Design Leads, this role plays a key part in delivering high-quality learning materials that meet global publishing standards. The successful candidate will ensure all content across print, digital, and blended formats is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and accessibility.
In this position, you will lead all aspects of content delivery, managing production workflows and ensuring consistency, scalability, and quality across multiple products and markets. You will work on sourcing, briefing, and managing external suppliers such as typesetters, digital developers, and editorial partners, while monitoring performance against KPIs and managing budgets effectively. Acting as the main link between internal teams and external vendors, you will ensure clear communication, proactively manage risks, and maintain production schedules. Close collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders will be essential to ensure materials are production-ready, visually consistent, and aligned with commercial goals.
This role offers the opportunity to drive continuous improvement and innovation within content operations. The successful candidate will contribute to process enhancements, support the adoption of new publishing technologies, and help develop supplier capability through constructive feedback and guidance. Success will be reflected in the delivery of high-quality outputs, strong stakeholder relationships, and measurable improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about operational excellence and creating impactful learning products. This is a 6-month fixed term contract. We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.
About You
- Significant experience in content production within educational publishing, preferably at an international level
- Strong track record of managing outsourced production services (print and digital) with leading global vendors
- Demonstrable expertise in overseeing complex multi-format projects (e.g., textbooks, digital platforms, apps, multimedia)
- Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources across a portfolio of products
- In-depth knowledge of production standards, accessibility requirements, and emerging publishing technologies
- Excellent project management and problem-solving skills, with a focus on risk management and delivering under pressure
- Collaborative team player, able to build strong relationships with cross-functional stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and manage expectations at all levels
- Experience in working with global teams and across multiple regions/markets
- Familiarity with lean workflows or other iterative product development methodologies
- Knowledge of learning management systems (LMS) and digital learning product integration
- Good IT skills, including standard Microsoft Office package and CoPilot, and ability to learn new technologies
We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.
We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts. This role comes with the added benefit of a discretionary annual payment.
Production Lead in Oxford employer: Oxford University Press
At OUP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values work/life balance and employee well-being. With a commitment to professional growth, our team members benefit from generous holiday allowances, flexible working patterns, and opportunities for continuous improvement in a collaborative environment. Located in Oxford, our hybrid working policy and active employee networks foster a vibrant community dedicated to delivering high-quality educational materials.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Lead in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values so you can tailor your answers to show how you fit in. We want to see that you're genuinely interested in what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm and professionalism. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Lead in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in content production, especially in educational publishing. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Production Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves overseeing complex multi-format projects, it’s crucial to demonstrate your project management expertise. Share specific examples of how you've managed budgets, schedules, and resources effectively in your previous roles.
Highlight Collaboration Experience:We value teamwork here at StudySmarter, so make sure to mention your experience working with cross-functional teams. Talk about how you’ve built strong relationships with stakeholders and managed expectations to deliver high-quality outputs.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford University Press
✨Know Your Production Standards
Familiarise yourself with the production standards and accessibility requirements relevant to educational publishing. Be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured quality and consistency in past projects, as this will show your understanding of what’s expected in the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your project management experience, especially in overseeing complex multi-format projects. Discuss specific challenges you faced, how you managed budgets and schedules, and the outcomes of your efforts to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Build Strong Relationships
Emphasise your collaborative approach by sharing experiences where you successfully built relationships with cross-functional stakeholders. Highlight how effective communication helped you manage expectations and drive projects forward, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Innovation
Think about ways you’ve contributed to process enhancements or adopted new technologies in previous roles. Be prepared to share ideas on how you could drive continuous improvement within content operations, as this aligns with the company’s goals for innovation.
