Director of Software

Description

Summary

This is a strategic role, accountable for the delivery of technical change to all major ‘verticals’ of the AQA Assessment Technology portfolio and the execution of our continuing and accelerating digital transformation of high stakes assessment, at national scale.

The Assessment Technology group is responsible for the operational systems that deliver over 3 million GCSE and A-level results annually. It includes the technology for assessment design and production, and the full lifecycle of series delivery from entry to post-results services. The role is responsible for both continuous improvement of these software systems and the strategic transformation of AQA’s digital offering from contained, summative assessment delivered largely via written exams, to a digital future with data, AI and digital assessment at the core of what we do.

The role has direct accountability for the software delivery teams, comprising over 100 permanent staff in the UK, and a similar number employed by offshore development partners in India. The postholder will be required to make decisions about the relative priorities across verticals to deliver major change programmes, tactical enhancements and software support for the systems in scope of the AQA Assessment Technology group. As such the role will be critical to the advancement of the working culture of the software teams and wider organisation.

Given the seasonal nature and criticality of the Summer exams series, the role may also be required to provide hands-on delivery management through critical issues during the Summer series on occasions.

This role will be a member of the Assessment Technology Leadership team, which will shape and lead the implementation of Assessment Technology Division in partnership with the Enterprise Technology Division and central hubs (PPM, PMO & Business Change).

The postholder must bring both the tenacity and determination to “get things done” as well as a strong sense of customer connection, a growth mindset and an outward-looking, strategically focussed vision.Landscape
The Assessment Technology Group reports directly into the Chief Executive Officer. The group will establish, maintain and operate in close partnership with the Enterprise Technology and Central Hubs.

Team
The Director of Software will line manage multiple Head of Software Delivery direct reports, who each lead multiple sub-teams who are together responsible for the delivery of planned change (including large initiatives) and software support for the strategic and mission-critical systems that underpin AQA’s core assessment proposition.

3rd party delivery partners
Software Delivery may be undertaken by internal teams under direct line management or by external suppliers. Engagements with 3rd parties may be on varying models including fixed price / fixed outcome, time and materials or resource augmentation. The Director of Software will be responsible for agreeing delivery models with 3rd parties, in consultation with key internal customers and project/programme managers to ensure the required business outcomes are achieved.

Key relationships
Regular stakeholder engagement across all levels and all locations is required, with national and international travel where necessary.
Key internal relationships
Executive Director of Assessment Technology
Heads of Software Delivery EP&I/S&M/Assessment Design/ Integrated EdTech
Other members of Assessment Technology leadership team
EdTech, Customer Strategy, Research – understanding educational and assessment context
The PPM, PMO and business change hubs
Operations, assessment and curriculum teams
Commercial services teams
Finance and HR teams
Key external relationships
Third party technology delivery partners
Third-party data and educational technology providers.
Other companies in the AQA Group

Activities
Provide overall leadership and coordination for the software delivery teams, taking accountability for:
Shaping the software delivery roadmap, understanding the core business needs and defining strategies and plans to deliver through both internal teams and 3rd parties
Achieving and maintaining an excellent track record of software delivery
Reducing time to market, and increasing quality through continuous improvement of;processes, taking on board agile / lean good practice
people, through modelling leadership behaviours, coaching, training and development, and performance management
technology, ensuring systems reflect good practice

Providing performance reporting against agreed targets for all delivery areas.
Driving consistent processes and standards across all software delivery teams
Managing 3rd party delivery contracts when required
Delivering software in accordance with ISO 9001, ISO 27001 standards and other regulatory requirements
Key relationship enhancement and conflict resolution
Lead the preparation and ensure the effective management of the overall software delivery annual budget in accordance with AQA’s procedures and manage all other resources effectively, ensuring that AQA is able to achieve best value from its investment and the department delivers appropriate value for money
Lead all software delivery teams in effective, robust capacity planning, ensuring a sufficient level of internal and external resources are available to meet agreed demand
Talent and succession planning
Risk management
Embodying and embedding AQA values and cultural change
Complying with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS
Where business needs change, to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the services of this role profile

Need to Know
Excellent vision for the ‘art of the possible’ – strategic thinker on technology disruption and transformation
Excellent level of experience of software delivery in a variety of structures and methods, including traditional / waterfall planning and agile / incremental delivery
Demonstrable successful leadership experience of large, multidisciplinary teams
Demonstrable success of leading and delivering cultural, process and organisational change
Good level of technical awareness across data insight, application software and cloud infrastructure
Significant experience delivering in high-stakes and regulated environments
High level of intellectual curiosity, with a genuine passion for finding and implementing innovative solutions for business problems through technology
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Credible presenter to staff, exec and non-exec audiences
Aptitude for sharing and embedding best practice
Flexible, pragmatic “can do” attitude
Highly conversant with and able to navigate all major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme and project delivery and information security and risk practices
Ability to translate a vision into achievable goals and provide clear direction to achieve organisational objectives
Ability to inspire and motivate team members and other colleagues through a culture of trust, ownership and technical excellence
Ability to lead by example to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders

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