Head of IELTS Research - 6200
Location
Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
7/21/2025
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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Description
Job Title: Head of IELTS Research
Salary: £57,100 - £76,450 per annum
Location: Cambridge with hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Contract: Full Time/Permanent
We're looking for an internationally recognised expert in language assessment to join us as Head of IELTS Research. This is a rare opportunity to shape the research strategy behind one of the world's most trusted English language tests, influence global education policy, and lead a team of talented researchers.
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 will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust research agenda which supports IELTS strategic objectives, underpins the existing IELTS test and the development of the next generation IELTS portfolio. Your work will be vital for maintaining the Cambridge and IELTS brands and building successful relationships within the IELTS Partnership, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and influential stakeholders.
You will be an internationally recognised and credible expert in language assessment who will provide strong leadership in strategy, research, thought leadership and team management.
You will have a PhD/EdD in Language Assessment, Education Measurement, Applied Linguistics or related field (or equivalent professional experience) and extensive knowledge of language assessment. You should be adept at managing complex research projects that support exam validity and validation, new product development and innovation to support organisational strategy.
As our next Head of IELTS Research, you have expert knowledge and technical research expertise in language learning and assessment. You have significant experience with successful conceptualisation and implementation of high-quality research programmes to support organisational strategy.
You should be able to operate confidently and comfortably in contexts involving influential internal and external stakeholders. Using your excellent communication skills, you need to have the ability to successfully explain research ideas and technical concepts to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. You should have an academic profile with international visibility in the area of high-stakes assessment or an emerging profile with feasible plans on how to develop it over the next 3-5 years.
You will be able to provide strong leadership both to direct reports and to wider teams and be an inspiring, inclusive and trusted leader.
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:
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.
We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being Thursday 21st August 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on the weeks commencing 15th & 22nd September 2025. Please note, this might be a two stage round interview process.
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.
Salary: £57,100 - £76,450 per annum
Location: Cambridge with hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
Contract: Full Time/Permanent
We're looking for an internationally recognised expert in language assessment to join us as Head of IELTS Research. This is a rare opportunity to shape the research strategy behind one of the world's most trusted English language tests, influence global education policy, and lead a team of talented researchers.
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 will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust research agenda which supports IELTS strategic objectives, underpins the existing IELTS test and the development of the next generation IELTS portfolio. Your work will be vital for maintaining the Cambridge and IELTS brands and building successful relationships within the IELTS Partnership, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and influential stakeholders.
You will be an internationally recognised and credible expert in language assessment who will provide strong leadership in strategy, research, thought leadership and team management.
- Strategically, the role involves close collaboration with key internal stakeholders to develop and deliver a research agenda which enables the continued growth of IELTS.
- From a research perspective, technical leadership and expert knowledge are required to ensure the successful conceptualisation and implementation of high-quality research programmes and associated deliverables
- The thought leadership aspect of the role entails the maintenance of a strong academic profile in areas of relevance for high-stakes assessment and the establishment of strong working relationships with high-level stakeholders of relevance for IELTS
- This is a senior leadership role, and it requires effective functional management of research colleagues, and role modelling an effective team culture of collaboration, empowerment and wellbeing.
You will have a PhD/EdD in Language Assessment, Education Measurement, Applied Linguistics or related field (or equivalent professional experience) and extensive knowledge of language assessment. You should be adept at managing complex research projects that support exam validity and validation, new product development and innovation to support organisational strategy.
As our next Head of IELTS Research, you have expert knowledge and technical research expertise in language learning and assessment. You have significant experience with successful conceptualisation and implementation of high-quality research programmes to support organisational strategy.
You should be able to operate confidently and comfortably in contexts involving influential internal and external stakeholders. Using your excellent communication skills, you need to have the ability to successfully explain research ideas and technical concepts to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. You should have an academic profile with international visibility in the area of high-stakes assessment or an emerging profile with feasible plans on how to develop it over the next 3-5 years.
You will be able to provide strong leadership both to direct reports and to wider teams and be an inspiring, inclusive and trusted leader.
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
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.
We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being Thursday 21st August 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on the weeks commencing 15th & 22nd September 2025. Please note, this might be a two stage round interview process.
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.
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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