Product Development Director - Learning

Cambridge University Press & Assessment; Hartford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational publisher seeks a Product Development Director to oversee the development of English-learning products. The successful candidate will lead a global team, define product strategy, and ensure high-quality educational offerings. With expertise in educational publishing or EdTech, you'll thrive in a fast-paced environment and drive innovation to impact learners globally. This role offers competitive rewards, including a hybrid work model and various benefits.

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

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior leadership within educational publishing or EdTech.
• Expertise in digital-first or blended learning product development.
• Strong strategic planning and product lifecycle management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and learner impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead global product development and manage a large, global team to deliver high-quality learning products.
• Drive product strategy and innovation by integrating educational technologies and methodologies.
• Oversee the product development lifecycle for timely delivery and customer focus.
• Collaborate with various functions to ensure product success and market fit.
• Maintain quality and compliance across all products to meet educational regulations.

Skills

Leadership in educational publishing or EdTech

Digital-first or blended learning product development expertise

Strategic planning skills

Communication and stakeholder engagement

Innovation and continuous improvement

Job description

Product Development Director – Learning

Location: Cambridge, UK or Madrid, Spain | Salary: Competitive | Contract: Permanent, Full time (35 hours per week)

Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment as we look for a visionary leader to shape global English‑learning products that meet the evolving needs of learners worldwide.

About the role

As part of the Propositions senior leadership team, you will oversee the development of our English‑learning and ILA portfolio, ensuring products are pedagogically sound, commercially viable, and technologically advanced. You will define and deliver our product strategy, lead transformation across print and digital formats, and shape the future of our offerings to maintain market leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead global product development and manage a large, global team to deliver high‑quality learning products, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and market needs.
• Drive product strategy and innovation – define and execute strategy, integrating the latest educational technologies and methodologies to maintain market leadership.
• Oversee the product development lifecycle, ensuring timely delivery, customer focus, and budget adherence.
• Collaborate across functions: work closely with Portfolio, Technology, Learning Operations, Commercial, and other teams to ensure product success and market fit.
• Ensure quality and compliance – maintain high standards across all products, ensuring they meet educational regulations and deliver measurable impact.

About you

You are a strategic and visionary leader with deep experience in educational publishing or EdTech. You thrive in complex, fast‑paced environments and are driven by the opportunity to shape the future of learning.

Required qualifications

• Proven experience in senior leadership within educational publishing or EdTech.
• Expertise in digital‑first or blended learning product development.
• Strong strategic planning and product lifecycle management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and learner impact.

Rewards & 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

Work arrangements

We operate a hybrid working model, expecting most colleagues to spend 40–60% of their time at a dedicated office or location. We consider flexible arrangements and disability adjustments on a case‑by‑case basis.

Application details

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, closing on 4th January 2026. Successful applicants will undergo standard background checks, including DBS. This role is open to all candidates regardless of demographic characteristics.