Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Director, University Pathways and Progression - 7488
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Job Title: Director, University Pathways and Progression
Salary: £85,400 - £117,350 depending on skills and experience
Location: Cambridge, UK (Hybrid with global travel)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Are you passionate about helping learners unlock life-changing opportunities through education?
We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.
We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to shape the future of progression pathways for learners around the world. This is a unique opportunity to lead our global University Pathways and Progression function, building relationships with universities, governments and education leaders to strengthen the value and impact of Cambridge qualifications. Through your work, you will help millions of learners access further study and career opportunities, while contributing to our educational mission and commercial success.
About The Role
As Director, University Pathways and Progression, you will provide strategic leadership for a global team of recognition and progression specialists, while acting as Cambridge's senior expert on pathways from school to higher education and employment. You will help ensure that Cambridge qualifications continue to open doors for learners worldwide and that we remain at the forefront of thinking and practice in student progression.
You will work across the organisation and with external partners globally to strengthen progression opportunities, influence policy, inform educational thought leadership and enhance the value created by Cambridge qualifications. The role will require collaboration with senior leaders across product development, education, marketing, assessment, partnerships and international markets.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading a global team responsible for higher education recognition and progression activity worldwide.
- Creating and expanding pathways from school to university and other routes to work that enhance outcomes for learners and institutions.
- Building and strengthening relationships with universities, higher education organisations and professional bodies globally.
- Advising on the development of future qualifications, courses, products and services by bringing deep expertise in student progression and university admissions.
- Shaping Cambridge's educational thought leadership on progression, pathways and credential value.
- Supporting business development and marketing activity by helping schools understand and maximise progression opportunities for their learners.
- Influencing policy and contributing expertise to education reform initiatives with governments and international partners.
- Creating and nurturing a global community of school-based careers and guidance professionals.
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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 will bring substantial leadership experience and recognised expertise in higher education admissions, credential recognition, student progression or a closely related field. You will be comfortable operating at a strategic level in a complex international environment and have a strong track record of building influential relationships with universities, governments, education bodies and senior internal stakeholders.
You will be able to demonstrate the following essential / minimum criteria:
- Deep expertise in student progression, recognition and equivalence of qualifications, and university admissions.
- Significant experience gained in international education, higher education or related global organisations.
- A proven ability to lead and inspire professional teams, both directly and through influence.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience working with senior leaders, universities, governments or regulatory bodies.
- Degree-level qualification and ideally a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- A willingness to travel internationally as required.
If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate:
- Experience influencing education policy or regulatory frameworks.
- A strong understanding of international school qualifications and global progression trends.
- Experience contributing to product development, thought leadership or research in education.
- Experience working across multiple international markets and educational systems.
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For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site.
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 who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable and/or appropriate, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or 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 UK Government website for guidance on eligibility requirements.
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a flexible rewards package including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and permanent health insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Green travel schemes
Ready to pursue your potential?
Apply now.
The closing date for applications is 31 August 2026 – 23.59 BST
If you are shortlisted and progress through the recruitment process, you can expect:
- 1st stage interviews, online 8, 9, 10 and 11 September 2026
- 2nd stage interviews, in person in Cambridge 14 & 15 September 2026
Why join us?
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential.
You will help shape progression opportunities for learners across the world, working at the intersection of schools, universities, governments and education systems. Your work will influence how learners access higher education, how qualifications create value and how education can contribute to positive outcomes for individuals and society.
You will join a collaborative global community that is continuously learning, sharing ideas and exploring new ways to improve. We are proud to be part of the University of Cambridge and committed to helping people unlock their potential through education, learning and assessment. Here, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while continuing to develop your own expertise and leadership.
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