About the Role The Custom Product Manager is a Product Management role working closely with the global business development teams, with strategic customers, cross functional teams to scope, manage and deliver the pipeline of customized publishing projects across all markets. The role will contribute to the overarching strategy and delivery for customized products, including the prioritization process and the resourcing strategy. The role will lead an editorial team focused on the development and delivery of customized products. The role will work in collaboration with suppliers to develop and scale up outsourcing capabilities to support growth. The Customized Product pipeline will typically include strategic account custom solutions, Ministry of Education customized versions, market specific versions. Key responsibilities in this role will include: Accountable for managing the delivery of the Customized Product pipeline in line with strategic goals and priorities, working closely with the educational solutions teams, business development managers and customers. Work with project stakeholders in a matrix environment to ensure that projects meet the needs of the market/customer and are delivered to schedule and budget. Responsible for working with the custom product leads and EPMs in assessment of initial custom requests and to determine specific customer and market requirements. Manage the team to develop proposals of customer appropriate content solutions for custom projects. Develop a suite of fully costed Menu of custom solutions Responsible for managing the custom product leads in evaluating feasibility and profitability of Custom Product proposals and in completing business case documentation; assess resource requirements and provide financial information needed for project P&Ls. In collaboration with the Head of Custom Product and the Delivery and transformation director, contribute to the annual budgeting and planning cycle, and support the implementation of resourcing strategy and plans for products in the custom pipeline, including the appropriate allocation of internal resourcing and external freelancers or suppliers throughout the development stages. Responsible for reporting on Custom product pipeline WIP and new opportunities. Working with the Custom Coordinator and finance lead on collating data against KPIs and reporting to the Senior Leadership team each month. Working with Group Procurement, develop partnerships with core and new suppliers to support the development and delivery of custom projects and ensure cost efficiencies are achieved. Ensure suppliers are managed effectively and evaluated according to established KPIs with any issues or risks raised in a timely way. In collaboration with cross-functional teams develop and continuously improve effective processes and workflows to support the development and delivery of Custom projects. Deploy the use of AI and automation to improve workflow efficiency, speed to market and QA checking. Working with Head of Custom and Custom team contribute to the recruitment and development of individuals working on Custom product, ensuring that poor performance is addressed, and that high-performing individuals are developed to achieve their maximum potential. Support team well-being and ensure workloads are manageable We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office. About You To be successful in this role, you will ideally have: Proven track record of development and delivery of complex products across all sectors Experience of setting and managing budgets Experience of creating resourcing plans comprising both internal and freelance resource Knowledge and experience of product development process, ideally within an educational publishing context Proven track record of working with Packagers and suppliers on a range of print and digital products Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills. Excellent communication and collaboration skills Experience of creating and managing resource planning Proven track record of collaborating with multiple stakeholders in a matrix Experience of delivering and expediting fast turnaround projects Experience of participating and leading in change initiatives, including implementation and continuous improvement of workflows Proven track record of leading, coaching teams within a matrix environment Knowledge and understanding of ELT pedagogy and frameworks (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. Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information. Queries Please contact cynthia.yueoup.com with any queries relating to this role. Please note this advert may be removed before the advertised end date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 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.