Senior Manager, Policy and Advocacy

Salary: $93,100 - $124,450 (please note final salary is based on experience and location)

Location: Remote

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Can you shape education policy that opens doors for learners across North America?
If you thrive at the intersection of policy, advocacy and education — and want your work to influence systems — this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at scale.

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world‑leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

As Senior Manager, Policy and Advocacy, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Cambridge International's state and federal policy agenda across North America. Working closely with the Head of Policy, Accountability and Partnership, you will help shape policy initiatives that support equitable access to high‑quality education and strengthen pathways for Cambridge learners.

About the role

This role sits within the wider Policy division and focuses on promoting K–12 education policies across the US that align with Cambridge's mission and regional strategy. You will work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to build trusted relationships with policymakers and decision‑makers, ensuring Cambridge has a strong, credible voice in education policy discussions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Co‑developing and delivering state and federal policy and advocacy strategies aligned to regional priorities
• Building, maintaining and influencing relationships with state departments of education, legislators and their teams
• Monitoring and interpreting legislative developments, translating them into clear, actionable insight for senior leaders
• Leading and coordinating the work of external lobbyists and consultants to maximise strategic impact
• Collaborating cross‑functionally to support Cambridge International growth and long‑term partnerships across North America

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 significant experience of U.S. K–12 education policy across multiple state contexts, with a strong ability to monitor, interpret and translate legislative developments into clear, strategic guidance. You will have a proven track record of building and managing effective relationships with policymakers, legislative staff, lobbyists and education leaders, and of leading state or regional policy initiatives from concept through to implementation. Strong analytical, problem‑solving and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce high‑quality policy briefs and strategic recommendations. You will also be comfortable working independently, managing competing priorities and operating effectively in a fast‑paced, multi‑state environment.

If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Significant experience working directly with K–12 accountability, funding, or credit-transfer policies
• Familiarity with Cambridge International programs, qualifications, or global education systems
• Proven, effective experience managing or coordinating the work of contract lobbyists or external consultants
• Master's degree or higher in public policy, education policy, public administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert 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:

• Group personal volunteer retirement scheme (403b)
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Private medical, dental, vision insurance for individuals and families, plus supplemental insurances
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be Sunday 19th April. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place from week commencing 27th April.

If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:

• First stage virtual interview via MS Teams. You will be provided with a brief to complete a role related task which will need to be returned by email in advance of your interview.
• Possibility of second stage interview if needed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long-term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

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 an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You will belong to a collaborative team that is 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 is 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.