Director of IELTS Research

We are seeking a Director of IELTS Research to lead and define the global research strategy for IELTS – one of the world's most trusted English language tests. This is an exciting opportunity to influence international education policy, drive innovation in assessment, and shape the future of language testing on a global scale.    

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    

As Director of IELTS Research, you will set the long-term vision for research and ensure it underpins regulatory trust, global recognition and product innovation. Sitting on the IELTS Senior Leadership Team, you will operate at the forefront of assessment research, influencing key decisions across the IELTS partnership and wider Cambridge organisation.

You will combine thought leadership with delivery – leading major research programmes, shaping future assessment through emerging technologies (including AI), and positioning IELTS as a global leader in evidence-based assessment.

Additional responsibilities and accountabilities include: 

• Defining and delivering the long‑term IELTS research strategy and short‑term research plans
• Leading strategic foresight, identifying emerging trends, technologies and policy developments
• Directing high‑impact research programmes across assessment design, validation, scoring and delivery
• Acting as the global academic ambassador for IELTS in policy forums and regulatory engagement
• Building partnerships with leading research institutions and international stakeholders
• Establishing strong research governance, quality standards and performance benchmarks
• Leading and developing a high‑performing research team and wider research capability
• Overseeing research investment, budgets and external commissioning

This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40-60% of their time collaborating and connecting face-to-face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other 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 be an internationally recognised expert in language assessment or a closely related field, bringing the credibility and influence to operate confidently at the highest levels on a global stage. You will combine deep academic expertise with strategic leadership, enabling you to shape research agendas and ensure they deliver meaningful impact across complex, high‑stakes environments.

You will hold a PhD or EdD in language assessment, applied linguistics, educational measurement, or offer equivalent experience, alongside a strong foundation in assessment theory, including validity, fairness, construct definition and innovation. Your career will demonstrate a consistent track record of leading large‑scale, high‑impact research programmes and contributing to the advancement of knowledge through academic and international engagement.

You will be skilled at building and sustaining relationships with senior stakeholders, regulators and global partners, using evidence‑based insight to influence decision‑making and policy. Alongside this, you will bring experience of managing budgets, resources and strategic priorities, ensuring that investment in research delivers value and aligns with organisational goals.

Operating with confidence in complex and evolving contexts, you will be adept at leading through ambiguity and change, providing clear direction while fostering collaboration, innovation and excellence across teams. 

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: 

• Experience shaping research strategy within a large, global or regulated environment
• Knowledge of digital and AI-enabled assessment developments
• Experience contributing to global policy or regulatory discussions

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site.

 We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long-term health condition, and best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long-term health condition.  

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.

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. 

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver in parallel with an open advertisement of the post. Perrett Laver will support the Selection Committee in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates.

Application is by submission of a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter of application, addressing the job description and person specification and including suitable daytime and evening telephone contact details and an email address.

Completed application should be uploaded at https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com quoting reference 8507.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm (BST) on Monday 20^th July 2026.

For informal inquiries please contact Research Associate, Isabella Newell at Perrett Laver via email on isabella.newell@perrettlaver.com or +44(0)20 3928 7424.  

If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please contact simon.epsley@perrettlaver.com of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Perrett Laver will conduct preliminary interviews with longlisted candidates during the week commencing 3^rd August. The Selection Committee will then meet mid-August to agree a shortlist of candidates.

Shortlisted candidates will subsequently be invited to participate in first-round panel interviews, which will be held online during the week commencing 24^th August 2026.

Finalist candidates will then be invited to attend formal panel interviews in person during the week commencing 14^th September 2026.

Protecting your personal data is of the utmost importance to Perrett Laver and we take this responsibility very seriously. Any information obtained by our trading divisions is held and processed in accordance with the relevant data protection legislation. The data you provide us with is securely stored on our computerised database and transferred to our clients for the purposes of presenting you as a candidate and/or considering your suitability for a role you have registered interest in.

Perrett Laver is a Data Controller and a Data Processor, and our legal basis for processing your personal data is ‘Legitimate Interests'. You have the right to object to us processing your data in this way. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please visit our website https://perrettlaver.com/privacy-statement/

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.

• Director of IELTS Research JD FINAL.pdf (207.64 KB)