Head of Analytics and Data Science

Job content

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Head of Analysis and Data Science
Permanent
Guildford / Manchester
£67,000 + Attractive benefits

Are you a strategic leader with ambition and drive, who shares our organisation’s values and passion for improving the lives of young people through education?

We’re looking for an inspirational and influential people leader who can provide direction and perspective for AQA’s Analytics and Data Science team. The team are responsible for helping the business to understand how it is performing through the optimisation of data assets to support and enhance our business performance and to support our assessment research functions and standards setting.

As the Head of Analysis and Data Scienceyou will be pivotal in its key contribution to strengthening leadership capacity, supporting teams and delivering major transformational, cultural and process change across the area. You’ll be great at forging relationships and networks across multi-site organisations, whilst inspiring the team towards our vision of shaping world class practice across the education sector.

What you’ll do

• Lead by developing and delivering team plans in line with business area and corporate strategy.
• Lead and champion a vision of how data science and analytics intersect with the theory and practice of assessment, to ensure data science and analytics expertise is deployed to improve the quality of assessment processes and the validity of assessment products.
• Engender high levels of performance by modelling best practice leadership habits and championing AQA’s values and behaviours.
• Develop and be accountable for the annual programme of data science and analytical services to the business. This includes:
• managing organisational risk
• ensuring an appropriate balance between potentially competing drivers, risks and medium to long term implications
• ensuring services meet the needs of customers across the business
• support and inform the efficient delivery of corporate and departmental strategic objectives, particularly in relation to the delivery of qualifications.

• Oversee planning activities, determination of customer needs and priorities, compliance with regulations, and the management of risk, quality, time schedules and costs.
• Provide in person leadership to a team that is split across sites, significant travel will be expected.

What you’ll have

• Understanding of current thinking on the provision of data science and analytical services to a business operating in a technical environment, particularly in relation to the theory and practice of assessment.
• Knowledge of a range of analytics and data science methodologies and technologies and their purposes, uses and potential impact.
• Strategic business planning and analytical expertise combined with good judgement and the ability to make evidence-based decisions collegially, sometimes under time pressure, fostering a sense of calm and resilience within teams.
• Strong and proven evidence of excellent people management and leadership skills.
• Experience in leading teams through change.
• Excellent stakeholder management with experience of influencing, networking, persuading and engaging to help ensure desired outcomes are delivered
• Proven ability to think creatively and solve complex problems.

Benefits
At AQA we recognise our employees’ contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package. This includes:

• 25 days’ annual leave rising to 30 days, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas leave
• 35 hour working week
• excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
• life assurance
• an enhanced maternity/paternity scheme
• access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering support with counselling, legal advice and money matters
• access to our Learning Management System, providing self-directed learning from high quality e-learning content
• cycle to work scheme
• interest free travel loans.

How to apply
Please upload your CV and covering letter via our AQA job portal .

• Closing date for applications is midnight onMonday 20 September 2021.
• Zoom video interviews to be held late September and October 2021.

AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.
AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website .
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary
Main role purpose:

To lead the Analytics and Data Science Team by developing and delivering team plans for the short and medium term that support the business area strategy and AQA’s corporate strategy, ensuring there is an appropriate balance of technical, regulatory and technology considerations.

To develop and be accountable for the annual programme of data science and analytical services to the business, in so doing manage organisational risk, ensuring an appropriate balance between potentially competing drivers, risks and medium to long term implications, ensuring that data science and analytical services meet the needs of customers across the business and support and inform the efficient delivery of corporate and departmental strategic objectives, particularly in relation to the delivery of qualifications and the development of new processes, products and services. The postholder will be expected to develop significant knowledge of how data science and analytics can support delivery, development and innovation in qualifications and assessment: this will require developing knowledge of the theory and practice of assessment.

To engender high levels of performance by modelling best practice in AQA’s leadership habits and by modelling and championing AQA’s values and behaviours.

The role will oversee planning activities, determination of customer needs and priorities, compliance with regulations, and the management of risk, quality, time schedules and costsSection 1 – Accountabilities
Key result areas:

Customer (external or internal)
Being trusted and reliable in assessment design and delivery
Lead on, and be responsible for, the delivery of data science and analytics plans for AQA that meets the needs of customers from across the business, support the ongoing delivery of qualifications, facilitate evaluation of existing processes, products and services, and provide significant input to development of innovations in processes, products and services.
Work with customers across the business to agree overall data science, analytics and reporting activities and approaches in line with agreed departmental vision and principles. Whilst overseeing the delivery of actionable insights to the organisation to meet customer needs and support the effective delivery of our strategic and operational business objectives.
Monitor, evaluate and enhance data science and analytical services, informed by empirical evidence, best practice and customers’ feedback. In particular, to lead and champion a vision of how data science and analytics intersect with the theory and practice of assessment, to ensure data science and analytics expertise is deployed to improve the quality of assessment processes and the validity of assessment products.
Lead on, and be responsible for, the regular review of data science and analytical services, and ensuring that developments are introduced which reflect good practice and meet the changing needs of the business.
Demonstrate commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change.

Cash (finances)
Ensuring sound financial management and a robust asset base
Produce an annual expenditure and resourcing plan, allowing for delivery peaks, such that objectives are achieved within financial targets.
Regularly review costs, and encourage efficiencies as part of a continuous improvement programme.

Product and internal processes
Delivering quality products and outcomes – as recognised by the customer
Working with the Director of Research and Analysis, and in collaboration with other members of the Research and Regulation leadership team, to contribute to the development of a vision, principles and strategy for AQA’s research and regulation activities.
To identify, develop, and lead activities, programmes and projects to meet the strategic objectives, regulatory requirements and customers’ needs, developing a rolling programme of work, annual plans and specific objectives for data science and analytical services in line with departmental and corporate strategy, regulatory requirements and customers’ needs.
Identify, manage and monitor risks via appropriate mitigation and contingency plans, and ensure that significant risks are escalated to sponsors and stakeholders promptly.
Ensure compliance in line with AQA’s policies and other regulatory and legislative requirements, including HSE, Equal Opportunities, ISMS and GDPR.

People and culture
Ensuring we have great people achieving their potential
Engender high levels of performance by modelling AQA’s values and leadership behaviours, by both listening, and providing direction, in line with business objectives.
Recruit, train, lead and manage a team of staff to ensure the strategic objectives are met, ensuring consistently high quality and responsiveness to business needs in data science and analytical services.
Champion and foster a culture of accountability.
Work collaboratively with other members of the Research and Regulation leadership team to provide leadership across the business area, and contribute to the Research and Regulation leadership team agenda, including by championing best practice in relation to AQA’s leadership habits, values and behaviours. In particular, to work closely with the Head of Research and Development and the Head of Standards and Awarding to ensure close collaboration of projects and workstreams across teams in a matrix management structure.

Technology
Delivering demonstrably secure, reliable, agile and cost-effective systems
Ensure that the technology and systems in data science and analytical services are fit for purpose to ensure effective delivery to meet customer needs and business objectives.

Government and external
Providing timely, valued insight and evidence that inform policy
Represent AQA on relevant external bodies and external meetings, ensuring that AQA’s views are well-represented and AQA makes a significant contribution
to emerging national thinking on data science and analytics in the industry.
To deputise for the Responsible Officer on data science and analytics issues where appropriate.

Section 2 – Key relationships and performance
Key internal relationships: colleagues in Assessment, Operations, Policy and other teams who will be customers of the service
Departmental managers in teams who are customers of the service
Colleagues in People Group.
Key external relationships: Ofqual and other regulators
Data science and analytics personnel in other awarding bodies
Communities of best practice in data science and analytics in academia and business.
Key performance indicators: Delivery of data science and analytical services for the business that meet business needs, are delivered in line with service level agreements and KPIs, and within agreed budgets.

Section 3 – Person profile

Knowledge
Broad understanding of the political, educational and business context within which AQA works and the ability and willingness to develop knowledge of the theory and practice of assessment.- A/I/P
Understanding of approaches to performance measurement and management in a customer, product or technical environment - A/I/P
Understanding of current thinking on the provision of data science and analytical services to a business operating in a technical environment, preferably in relation to the theory and practice of assessment. - A/I/P
Knowledge of a range of analytics and data science methodologies and technologies and their purposes, uses and potential impact. - A/I/P

Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience. - A/I

Skills
Strategic, business planning and analytical expertise. - A/I/P
Self-motivated and able to successfully manage, motivate and develop individuals and teams, leading by example. - A/I/P
The ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders. - A/I/P
Proven ability to think creatively and solve complex problems. - I/P/T
The ability to understand and synthesise complex, diverse, incomplete and potentially contradictory information to support sound decisions and priorities. - I/P/T
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, be able to influence and build a rapport with a range of internal and external stakeholders, and be a role model for a partnership based matrix style of working. - A/I/P
Able to be flexible and responsive to changing demands, and willing to challenge the thinking of others and to champion new ways of working. - A/I/P

Behaviours
We treat everyone well and with empathy. - A/I/P
We achieve amazing things by working together. - A/I/P
We are open and honest. - A/I/P
We do what we say we are going to do. - A/I/P
We continuously learn and improve. - A/I/P
We act in the best interests of AQA. - A/I/P
We are optimistic and determined. - A/I/P
We value everyone’s expertise. - A/I/P

Leadership Habits
Leading with Integrity and Authenticity - A/I/P
Enabling Performance, Learning and Growth - A/I/P
Enabling Operational Excellence - A/I/P
Setting Vision Direction and Providing Clarity - A/I/P

Experience
Experience of team management at a senior level, including the management of resource and risk. - I/P
Track record of ability to work under pressure and in a fast-moving environment, fostering a sense of calm and resilience within teams - I/P
Experience of networking, influencing, persuading and engaging with influential external stakeholders to help ensure desired outcomes are delivered - I/P

Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage)
A – application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
I - interview
T – test (or work sample)
P – probation

Additional
This role provides leadership to a team that is split across sites, and whilst hybrid working will facilitate virtual meetings and collaboration candidates should be prepared for a significant level of travel where necessary.

Job Type: Full-time