Job Title: Head of Generative AI Strategy & Implementation - Academic
Salary: £66,900 - £89,550
Location: Cambridge/Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
We're seeking a visionary and strategically minded leader to join our Academic publishing technology team as
Head of Generative AI Strategy & Implementation. In this pivotal role, you will shape and lead the integration of Generative AI across our Academic business, helping us to reimagine the future of scholarly publishing.
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
You'll work at the intersection of technology, research, and publishing, defining how Generative AI can unlock new value, improve quality, and create more engaging, efficient experiences for authors, researchers, editors, and institutional partners.
- Define and own the Generative AI strategy for the Academic business, aligning initiatives with organisational goals and the vision set by the Academic Board.
- Lead strategic planning and vision-setting, defining how AI will transform publishing workflows, content creation, discovery, and researcher engagement.
- Drive implementation, creating clear roadmaps, governance structures, and delivery plans in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
- Act as the key interface between the Generative AI Centre of Expertise (CoE) and the Academic business and technology unit, ensuring strategic and operational alignment.
- Champion a value-led approach, prioritising high-impact AI opportunities and translating complex stakeholder needs into actionable solutions.
- Identify and pilot transformational use cases, from peer review and metadata enrichment to author support tools and research analytics.
- Ensure responsible AI adoption, embedding transparency, compliance, and editorial integrity into all AI-driven initiatives.
- Track impact and report outcomes, communicating progress and learnings to the Academic Board and broader organisation.
- Promote AI awareness and confidence across the Academic division, serving as an internal ambassador and trusted advisor.
About You
- Proven experience in setting and delivering technology strategies in a complex, matrixed organisation
- Deep understanding of academic publishing workflows and stakeholder needs
- Knowledge of Generative AI technologies, applications, and ethical considerations
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to translate innovation into measurable business value
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and programme management skills
This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of academic publishing at a time of rapid technological evolution. You'll be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven team committed to advancing knowledge, supporting researchers, and fostering innovation — responsibly and strategically.
If you would like to know more about this opportunity and what will make you successful, please see the full job description attached to the bottom of this vacancy on our careers site.
Rewards And Benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 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 4th August, Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 11th August.
Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.
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.
Why join us
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.
We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.
