Chief Executive Officer

The role

Award-winning Bristol University Press (BUP), including its impact-driven Policy Press imprint, is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the Press through its next phase of strategic development.

On entering its tenth anniversary year, Bristol University Press has rapidly established a strong international reputation for scholarly excellence. As CEO you will provide strategic leadership, reinforce alignment with the University’s goals, drive financial sustainability, and lead organisational development in a fast-moving global publishing environment.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a dynamic values-driven university press during a period of reorganisation whilst building on its global reputation and unique brand. 

What will you be doing?

Key responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership, shaping the Press’s strategic direction and delivering the Press’s strategic plan and operational objectives; ensuring alignment with the University’s vision and strategy.
• Ensure financial sustainability, through strategic financial planning, performance monitoring, and delivery of targets.
• Maintain excellence across the publishing programme upholding Bristol University Press’s high-quality standards whilst advancing Bristol University Press’s scholarly mission.
• Lead, inspire and develop a high performing team.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and creativity to enhance operational efficiency and market competitiveness.
• Represent Bristol University Press and the University globally, acting as a senior ambassador. 

You should apply if

• You are an accomplished senior publishing leader with strong commercial and financial expertise and a track record of delivering results. 
• You have deep experience of scholarly publishing. 
• You thrive on leading strategic and organisational change to strengthen sustainability. 
• Are skilled at optimising global opportunities, driving income, and forging international partnerships. 
• You are an inspiring leader who builds high-performing teams, and leads with clarity and purpose.  

Additional information

For informal queries, please contact :

Professor Esther Dermott, via pa-exec-alss@bristol.ac.uk or Alison Shaw, ali.shaw@bristol.ac.uk

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 4th March 2026.

The selection process will take place on Monday 23rd March. We will advise short-listed candidates of any changes to this date. 

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values. 

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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