Job Title: Product Development Manager
Salary: £49,300 – £65,950
Location: Cambridge, UK – Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours
Are you passionate about shaping the future of international education systems globally and bringing innovative products to life that create real impact?
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 position leads the discovery, development and continuous improvement of innovative products within the Partnership for Education portfolio, with a primary focus on the product strategy and roadmap for Cambridge Discover. The role combines strategic product leadership with customer‑centred digital product management to ensure products meet customer needs, align with organisational priorities and deliver measurable educational impact and commercial value. The Product Development Manager collaborates with internal teams and external stakeholders—Ministries of Education, funders such as the World Bank, UNICEF, private sector organisations, school groups and delivery partners—to develop solutions that enhance education systems worldwide.
- Lead the development of new product propositions for the Partnership for Education portfolio, including business cases, use‑case validation and research.
- Own and evolve the product strategy and roadmap for Cambridge Discover and other assigned products, aligning with Partnership for Education strategy, international education priorities, customer needs and market opportunities.
- Apply a strong customer insight approach, using user feedback, market research, competitor analysis and product usage data.
- Define and track product success measures—adoption, usage, impact, and other key performance indicators—to guide decision‑making.
- Translate product strategy into clear technical requirements, prototypes and prioritised deliverables.
- Manage product budgets and ensure delivery within time and cost constraints.
- Contribute to decision‑making forums, support escalation where needed, and communicate product vision, roadmap and priorities.
- Collaborate across International Education and Partnership for Education with Commercial, Technical, Marketing and Regional teams.
- Manage complex, senior‑level stakeholder relationships across governments, funders and partners, and represent Cambridge globally in high‑level engagements.
- Champion product management methodologies, embed consistent product practices and build awareness, engagement and capability across internal teams and external partners.
About You
We are looking for a strategic thinker and experienced product professional with a strong track record in delivering complex products, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for contributing to global education reform.
- Proven experience with product management principles across strategy, roadmap development, delivery and lifecycle management.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver product strategies and roadmaps for new and existing products.
- Experience managing digital product development using Agile or similar methodologies and applying customer‑centred digital product practices.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, balancing customer needs, commercial considerations and technical feasibility.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior decision‑makers.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity, proactively reprioritising and adapting quickly to shifting priorities.
- Experience working across global, cross‑cultural teams.
Desirable Criteria
- Understanding of the international education reform landscape and/or experience in the education sector.
- Experience with digital platforms, online learning solutions or technology‑enabled products.
- Knowledge of impact measurement or evaluation tools.
- Experience engaging with governments, ministries, donor organisations or multilateral organisations.
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.
Equality, diversity and accessibility
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a Disability Confident (DC) employer committed to equality and inclusion. Our recruitment process is accessible to all, with reasonable adjustments available for applicants who disclose a disability or long‑term health condition.
We are an approved UK employer for sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route.
We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics, cultural or social background.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…