Job role: Outsourcing Programme Manager

Company: Macmillan Education

Location: Madrid, Warsaw or Mexico City

Permanent, Full time, Hybrid Working

Application Deadline: 13th May 2026

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature. 

About the Brand

Macmillan Education is a global publisher of English Language Teaching, curriculum materials, and digital learning solutions, supporting learners, teachers and institutions across more than 120 countries. Its portfolio spans innovative classroom resources, award‑winning ELT courses, research‑based literacy programs, and cutting‑edge digital platforms designed to improve learning outcomes and empower educators.
Visit macmillaneducation.com and follow @MacmillanEducation.com

Short Summary of the Division

This role sits within Publishing Operations and is responsible for the management of suppliers throughout the publishing process, including the negotiation of contracts, relationship management and troubleshooting. Working in close collaboration with cross-functional teams, Publishing Operations implements best practices, workflows, tools and templates to ensure the delivery of high-quality products efficiently and effectively. The team also ensures all activity is completed in line with our policies and governance guidelines.  

Purpose of the Role

The Outsourcing Programme Manager is responsible for driving forward our outsourcing strategy, with a key focus on working with packagers (end to end publishing service providers). The role includes negotiating contracts and rate cards to ensure the best prices for the business, supporting across teams to procure economies of scale and volume discounts. It has a key relationship-building responsibility and acts to support project teams and external suppliers to solve problems and ensure smooth delivery of our products. The role also ensures quality is maintained through checklists, appropriate onboarding and adherence to key performance indicators. 

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the packager and outsourcing strategy as defined by Head of Publishing Operations.  

• Manage the relationship with outsourced service providers, such as end-to-end packagers, including costing, contract and rate card negotiation, and ongoing relationship management.  

• Support packagers by working with project teams to ensure accurate scoping documents are sent on time, schedules allow enough time for delivery, quality expectations are clear, as well as troubleshooting problems. (Packagers are specialist publishing partners that handle all services end to end from authoring and content development through to print and digital go live. We commission them for all or part of the publishing process, depending on project.)

• Support inhouse project teams by sourcing the correct packager or supplier for the project, negotiating the scope for the budget available, providing tools and guidance to ensure deliverables are of the expected quality and completeness, and solving day-to-day problems.  

• Be a single point of contact for large supplier / packager negotiation to procure the best rates for services for Macmillan Education.  

• Develop metrics for capturing, analysing, and reporting effectiveness across all spend categories and department activities for packaged services. 

• Work with project teams to structure packager payments to meet available budget.  

• Work with cross-functional project teams to develop and manage key supplier relationships.  

• Attend (and present and lead as required) relevant meetings to represent both Macmillan Education and outsourced service providers.   

• Work with key stakeholders in Publishing and address concerns, to ensure that the maximum amount of content is outsourced without affecting quality. 

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Experience engaging and working with packagers/end to end service providers on complex publishing projects (preferably ELT) 

• Experience of procuring services and negotiating high-value contracts with third parties.  

• Experience working in delivery in an editorial setting (ELT or Curriculum). 

• Experience of the ongoing management of key supplier relationships. 

• Experience of working with/in distributed teams within a global business. 

• Ability to identify issues, identify key stakeholders, and drive through resolution through strong influencing and matrix management skills. 

• A team player combined with strong leadership skills. 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. 

This role may involve international travel to global locations so ability to travel is desirable. 

Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature.

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