Head of Assessment Security and Business Assurance

Job description

Join us in transforming English Language Assessment

At Oxford University Press (OUP), we are on an ambitious journey to develop and grow our assessment business. Backed by one of the most respected global names in education and English language teaching, our aim is to become a global leader in the field, delivering innovative, high-quality tests that set new standards in the industry.

Why this matters

The world of English language assessment is changing. Digital transformation, AI-driven solutions, and evolving learner needs are redefining how tests are designed, delivered, and recognised. We believe that this has created the opportunity for OUP to lead, innovate, and shape the next generation of English language testing at scale.

Why join now?

We are assembling a team of experts in assessment, product, technology, operations, research, and commercial growth to take this business to the next level. This is your chance to:

• make a real impact - you won't be joining a business that's maintaining the status quo. You'll be shaping it. Your expertise will directly influence strategy, innovation, and execution.
• lead transformation - we are creating something bold and ambitious, combining the strength of OUP's legacy with the agility of a high-growth business.
• innovate at the forefront of assessment - work with cutting-edge AI, digital testing, and next-generation assessment models to enhance how people learn and prove their English proficiency.

As a department of the University of Oxford, we are guided in everything we do by our mission; we re-invest in our publishing and our assessment to have a positive impact on our international community of English language learners.

About the Role

Oxford University Press Assessment is seeking a strategic and collaborative Head of Security & Business Assurance to lead the development and continuous improvement of our security, risk, assurance, and operational resilience capabilities. This role is central to protecting the integrity, confidentiality, availability, and trustworthiness of our assessment products, services, and operations. Working across a complex and evolving global environment, you will help ensure we maintain public confidence, regulatory compliance, and robust operational performance while supporting innovation and growth.

As a senior leader, you will shape and deliver a comprehensive security and assurance framework that supports assessment integrity across the full assessment lifecycle. You will oversee business assurance, risk management, incident response, business continuity, and crisis management activities, ensuring that effective controls, policies, and processes are embedded throughout the organisation. Partnering closely with colleagues across Operations, Technology, Product, Privacy, Legal, Compliance, and external regulatory bodies, you will foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and informed decision-making.

You will provide oversight of assessment security, fraud prevention, and threat intelligence activities, helping the organisation stay ahead of emerging risks including AI-enabled malpractice, organised fraud, impersonation, and content misuse. Through data, intelligence, and collaborative problem solving, you will support the identification, prevention, detection, and resolution of security incidents and vulnerabilities. You will also work alongside technology and cyber security teams to ensure assessment-specific risks are understood and addressed through appropriate controls, tools, and investments.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader in security, risk, assurance, or operational resilience, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. They will be skilled at building trusted relationships, influencing stakeholders, and translating complex risks into clear actions and recommendations. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding the integrity of assessment products and services, strengthening organisational resilience, and helping Oxford University Press continue to be recognised as a trusted leader in assessment and learning.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

• Expertise in a security management, intelligence or organised crime detection role.
• Enterprise/operational risk management.
• Expertise in incident management and investigations.
• Assurance control frameworks, and business continuity practices.
• Proficiency in using security tools and technologies.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Certification in security management is a plus.
• Experience in operating in high integrity/regulated environments is desirable.

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 private medical insurance and a management bonus.

Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.

Queries

Please contact [email protected] with any queries relating to this role.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.