Overview

Join to apply for the Head of Strategy role at Guardian Jobs. Location: Cambridge with hybrid working. Contract: Permanent, Full time (35 hours per week).

Are you ready to shape the strategic future of a globally respected academic and assessment organisation? At Cambridge University Press & Assessment, we are seeking a visionary Head of Strategy to lead transformative initiatives that will define our next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to influence the direction of a world-leading institution, driving innovation and impact across education and publishing.

About The Role

As Head of Strategy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our corporate strategy across diverse business units. Reporting to the Chief Strategy Officer, you will work closely with senior leaders to ensure strategic alignment, lead change initiatives, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. You will be instrumental in identifying emerging trends, synthesising insights into actionable plans, and enabling strategic transformation through collaboration, digital innovation, and scenario planning. This role offers the opportunity to influence the organisation\'s strategic direction at a time of significant technological and geopolitical change.

About You

You are a strategic thinker with a proven track record in corporate strategy and transformation. You bring a blend of analytical rigour, creative problem-solving, and leadership excellence. You thrive in complex, matrixed environments and are motivated by the opportunity to drive meaningful change.

Your Experience Includes

• Leading strategy implementation and major change initiatives within global organisations
• Synthesising complex data and market intelligence into compelling strategic recommendations
• Building strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including Board and Executive teams
• Navigating the impact of organisational structures and business drivers on strategy execution
• Championing innovation, including the transformative potential of Generative AI
• Developing business cases with sound financial acumen
• Inspiring and empowering diverse teams through inclusive leadership and psychological safety

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 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being Sunday 21st September and interviews scheduled during and after this date.

If selected for interview, the first stage will be a competency-based interview with a CV review. In stage two, candidates will receive a presentation topic one week in advance and be given a case study on the day to review and present back. This stage also includes general and competency-based questions. The preferred candidate will complete a Hogan assessment, and there may be a final informal conversation with another executive board member.

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 gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

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 being a diverse and inclusive employer. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of demographic characteristics, and we believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach.