About the Role
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 and 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
Essential:
1. Significant experience in content production within educational publishing, preferably at an international level
2. Strong track record of managing outsourced production services (print and digital) with leading global vendors
3. Demonstrable expertise in overseeing complex multi-format projects (e.g., textbooks, digital platforms, apps, multimedia)
4. Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources across a portfolio of products
5. In-depth knowledge of production standards, accessibility requirements, and emerging publishing technologies
6. Excellent project management and problem-solving skills, with a focus on risk management and delivering under pressure
7. Strong supplier management skills
8. Collaborative team player, able to build strong relationships with cross-functional stakeholders
9. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and manage expectations at all levels
Desirable:
10. Experience in working with global teams and across multiple regions/markets.
11. Familiarity with lean workflows or other iterative product development methodologies.
12. Knowledge of learning management systems (LMS) and digital learning product integration.
13. Good IT skills, including standard Microsoft Office package and CoPilot, and ability to learn new technologies
Benefits
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.
Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.