Senior Process Excellence Manager

The role

This is a senior process excellence role within an education‑focused publishing environment, centred on improving end‑to‑end publishing workflows and enabling next‑generation digital publishing.

You’ll act as a trusted partner to a specific publishing area, owning a portfolio of improvement initiatives while leading and coaching a small team. The role blends process excellence, business analysis, change management and stakeholder engagement at scale.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small team of Process Excellence Managers, providing coaching and direction.
• Own and manage a portfolio of tactical and strategic improvement initiatives aligned to business priorities.
• Analyse and improve complex publishing workflows across the submission‑to‑publication lifecycle.
• Identify inefficiencies, risks and improvement opportunities, and define future‑state processes.
• Work closely with editorial, production, technology, marketing and commercial teams to deliver change.
• Translate business needs into clear, prioritised requirements and solution options.
• Support delivery of workflow automation, system enhancements and regulatory/compliance initiatives.
• Contribute to change management planning and drive adoption of new processes and technologies.
• Define and track KPIs to measure impact and value of delivered improvements.
• Act as a Centre of Excellence representative, clearly communicating objectives and progress to the wider business.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience in process optimisation, continuous improvement, process excellence or business analysis in a lead role.
• Strong understanding of education or research publishing and journal workflows, including the submission‑to‑publication journey.
• Demonstrable experience partnering with senior stakeholders and influencing across functions.
• Experience leading or line‑managing a small team.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate complexity into clear, practical solutions.
• Demonstrable experience working across projects with strategic impact.
• Familiarity with change management concepts and successful adoption of change in operational environments.
• Lean Yellow Belt or Business Analysis certification.
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable

• Project or programme management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile).
• Experience working closely with technology teams and third‑party suppliers.
• Confidence operating in a complex, matrixed organisation.

Why apply

• Opportunity to influence and improve education publishing processes at global scale.
• High‑impact role with visibility across senior stakeholders.
• Supportive, collaborative culture with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Hybrid working and a comprehensive benefits package.

How to apply

Apply via CV Library or contact Portare Solutions for a confidential discussion.