Description
Summary
Purpose:
The Director of EdTech Partnerships will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading AQA’s strategic engagement with the EdTech market, particularly in the general qualifications sector, but also in our global assessment services business. This role will be central to identifying, developing, and leading the strategic direction for commercial partnerships and potential acquisition activities within the EdTech sector. The postholder will leverage AQA's intellectual property to drive new opportunities, ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of digital innovation and diversification. This role will position AQA as a thought leader in assessment and education technology, working across departments and with external stakeholders, and bringing a significant understanding of the EdTech landscape and its commercial dynamics. Success in this role will depend on extensive prior experience and established networks within the EdTech sector.The Director of EdTech Partnerships sits within AQA’s Corporate Affairs and Strategy directorate, reporting directly to the Executive Director. This is a senior expert role with significant influence across the organisation. The role is designed to operate cross-functionally, working closely with teams such as Customer and Product, Research and Innovation, and Assessment Technology to drive forward strategic initiatives. These initiatives are shaped by AQA’s core priorities, including general qualification and assessment reform, diversification, the digital transformation of assessment, and the development of innovative tools to support teachers and students. While not accountable for a specific budget or team, the role will be critical in developing strategic business cases for strategic investments and partnerships in the EdTech space. Externally, the postholder will engage with EdTech sector leaders, innovators, and working groups to influence and shape the broader educational technology landscape.
Strategic EdTech Partnerships & Development:
Identify and assess potential commercial partnerships and acquisition targets within the EdTech sector, aligning with AQA’s strategic objectives and product diversification agenda.
Lead the negotiation, development, and management of commercial partnerships with EdTech providers, focusing on leveraging AQA’s intellectual property and creating mutual value.
Drive any acquisition activity in the EdTech arena, from due diligence to integration planning.
Develop strategic proposals and business cases for new EdTech initiatives, partnerships, and acquisitions aligned with AQA’s mission and strategic objectives.
Work at pace to lead the delivery of strategic EdTech projects, ensuring alignment with AQA’s broader strategy.
EdTech Thought Leadership & Influence:
Monitor and analyse developments in educational technology, including areas such as AI, digital exams, impact on teaching and learning, and other digital innovation, providing insight and recommendations to the Executive team and wider group.
Represent AQA in external forums, consultations, and working groups related to EdTech, helping to shape the policy and market environment.
Showcase externally key aspects of AQA’s progressive EdTech solutions and capability as it evolves, championing our innovations and enhancing our reputation as a market leader.
Work with Customer and Product, Corporate Affairs, and other teams to support the launch and promotion of innovative EdTech initiatives and thought leadership.
Insight & Analysis:
Lead collaboration with other teams, such as Customer and Product, Assessment Technology, Assessment Services and Research and Innovation, to generate evidence that informs strategic decision-making regarding EdTech. This will include taking a high-level view of key strategic issues and positions.
Produce high-quality briefings, reports, and presentations for internal and external audiences, including senior stakeholders such as the Executive Team, Board of Trustees, and key education figures, on EdTech trends and opportunities.
Work with others to understand, interpret and anticipate customer requirements for educational assessment technology products and services to drive the development of an innovative customer offer.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Establish strong relationships across AQA and build on relationships with external partners in the EdTech sector to foster a culture of innovation and strategic thinking.
Liaise with key supplier organisations to align outcomes, plans, and commercial constructs.
Driving forward AQA's technology requirements in a collaborative and constructive way with assessment technology product owners and third-party suppliers.
Liaise with other key AQA stakeholders such as the portfolio delivery team to align outcomes, plans, risks, finances, commercials, and activities.
Lead, enable, develop and hold to account for performance in a matrix environment across teams within and outside of AQA.
Essential Experience & Skills:
Proven experience in leading significant strategic projects, innovation, or policy development in a complex organisation.
Demonstrable extensive networks and standing in the EdTech sector.
Significant understanding of the commercial dynamics, opportunities, and landscape within the EdTech sector.
Proven track record of leveraging education technology to inform strategic decision making, and to add value to schools, teachers and students.
Experience leading commercial partnerships and/or acquisition activities in a technology-driven environment.
Ability to assess complex information, situations and issues and deploy creative and flexible problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
Experience leading cross-functional projects or programmes.
Demonstrable experience of senior stakeholder management, including facilitation of large groups.
Ability to think long term, strategically and commercially, and to provide clear, balanced and challenging recommendations and rationale for decisions.
Ability to influence at Executive, Board and Senior leader level.
Desirable:
Previous experience in the education, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
Familiarity with innovation methodologies (e.g., design thinking, agile strategy).
Previous experience of developing strategies in a commercially driven environment.
Values & Behaviours:
Demonstrates AQA’s values and leadership behaviours.
Committed to diversity and inclusion.
Curious, collaborative, and forward-thinking.
Able to think about the big picture.