Director of Technology

Salary: From £80,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Closing date for applications: Monday 13th January 2025 at 9.00 am

Interviews provisionally scheduled to take place: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

AlphaPlus is globally recognised for excellence in the design, development and deployment of qualifications and assessments, and in the evaluation of their performance and impact. We work with schools, universities and professional organisations.

AlphaPlus is a member of the AQA group.

We currently have an exciting new opportunity for a dynamic individual to join our company as Director of Technology. They will be a member of the AlphaPlus Management Board and will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic technology plan which underpins and supports the wider company strategic goals. In doing so the ideal candidate will utilise their extensive experience in IT implementation, management and proven ability to enhance technological performance to support organisational goals. They will be an innovative, creative and commercially-focused individual who keeps abreast of technological developments.

They will act as line-manager for and work closely with the deputies/heads of functions.
The appointed person will be dynamic and inspirational, with:
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Inquisitive, able to think strategically, with analytical capabilities. Proactive in finding out information within and outside the company relevant to the role.
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making abilities.
• Commerciality: participating actively and willingly in activities to generate new business. Creative and innovative in approaching the winning of new work
• Creative and innovative approach to (specified) delivery.
• Excellent team leadership skills with ability to set technological vision and strategy for the organisation, engage and enthuse colleagues and drive the organisation forward.
• Customer service: communicating effectively with external and internal customers.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Financially literate with an understanding of how to manage finances on a corporate scale.

They will have the following professional/technical competencies and relevant experience:

• Expertise as IT/software practitioner, manager, and leader.
• Expertise in IT architecture, including databases and scalable technology platforms.
• Skills in strategic planning, project management, and budget management.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, software development, and emerging technologies.
• Skills in change management, process improvement, and team development.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
• Demonstrable experience as IT/software practitioner, manager, and leader.
• Demonstrable experience of leading on strategic technology initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience of managing software developers and third-party vendors.
• Demonstrable experience of acting as technical authority in previous roles.
• Substantial experience of delivering the technology related components of projects.
• Demonstrable experience of line management and team leadership.
• Demonstrable contribution to strategic vision, business planning and finances.
• Experience in education sector advantageous.

AlphaPlus currently has a core team of 66 staff primarily based in our Manchester head office, and in addition draw upon a team of approximately 800 associates.

The post is permanent, full-time working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday and is Manchester office-based. The company offers hybrid working (two days per week minimum in the office, with three days working at home). A relocation package is available if appropriate.

The role will involve national and occasional international travel, potentially including working in customer offices.

Benefits include:
• discretionary profit related bonus scheme
• NEST workplace pension scheme - tier 1
• enhanced sick pay cover
• enhanced maternity/parental leave
• 25 days paid leave plus the eight statutory bank holidays
• commitment to developing the expertise of our employees.

For an informal discussion about the vacancy please email Tom Mitchell who will arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss the role.

Please note that AlphaPlus is not licensed to offer sponsorship under the UK government’s skilled worker sponsorship scheme.

To apply:
The full job description and person specification are available on the ESP website

Please read the application instructions and submit the following by the published closing date:
• a fully completed application form (download)
• a covering statement meeting the brief set out in the application instructions
• an up-to-date CV, tailored to highlight relevant qualifications and experience.

AlphaPlus jobs are based on competencies, which are published in the job description. When completing the covering statement, you are requested to set out how you meet the competencies relevant to this role, limiting this to no more than the five most important competencies. Please include how you meet the most important personal attributes and your most significant relevant experience.

ESP is advertising and forwarding candidates to AlphaPlus directly, by applying for this role you should expect your CV and completed application form etc to be submitted to Alpha Plus for review.