Head of Assessment Products

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 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

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Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:
AQA Assessment Services Ltd (ASL) is driving a new programme of work to successfully implement its ambitious Business Plan to double the size of the business within the next five years. The Head of Assessment Products will lead our team in driving developing and managing a new range of innovative assessment products designed to meet the needs of learners at different stages of their learning experience. They’ll combine expertise in general, technical and vocational education to lead the successful development and ongoing management of a range of assessment products. We’re looking for an experienced and dynamic leader with a passion for academic, technical and vocational education, both in the UK and internationally.Landscape:
AQA is the leading exam board in the United Kingdom. We’re an independent education charity with over 120 years of assessment expertise and knowledge. Our purpose is to support education, teachers and learners. We reinvest any surplus into research and innovation, to improve the quality and reliability of assessments and contribute to policy and practice worldwide. AQA Global Assessment Services combines this expertise with skills from across the wider AQA group. We work in partnership with education ministries, exam boards, and education providers to understand their needs and develop customised end-to-end assessment solutions. ASL will be driving forward strategic initiatives by developing new partnerships, enterprise customers, and large delivery contracts.  To be successful in these we will need to develop programmes of work which ensure different parts of AQA are connected in support of the customer requirements.

The Head of Assessment Products is accountable for the strategic management and development for a portfolio of AQA’s products. This role is crucial in ensuring AQA maintains and expands its market share in these new assessment areas. Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership: Lead portfolio, developing and executing strategies to build grow AQAs new product lines.
Product Coordination: Act as the focal point for the assigned portfolio, overseeing the coordination, prioritisation and supervision of related activities in line with AQA’s strategic objectives.
Product Development and Delivery: Lead the development and delivery of annual and medium-term product roadmaps, balancing quality, customer needs, commercial viability and stakeholder interests.
Representation: Serve as the lead both internally within AQA and externally, with the aim of achieve growth targets and customer retention.
Strategic Planning: Identify and define strategic activities necessary for meeting AQA’s targets and lead their implementation.
Product life cycle management: The post holder is accountable and responsible for the assigned portfolio across its entire life cycle.
People management: setting SMART objectives for your team, offering consistent guidance and support, mentoring, coaching and developing team members, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. You will be responsible for ensuring your team achieves high performance and meets its goals aligned to AQA’s overarching strategy
Activities:
Strategic Leadership:Provide strategic direction within AQA and represent these products to external stakeholders in partnership with stakeholders across the AQA group of companies.
Collaborate with stakeholders in the AQA Product Management team in Customer and Product to identify synergies in product management approaches and practices, identify when differences are needed and identify opportunities and risks across product portfolios  
Business Process Management: Oversee the business case process and manage related budgets, ensuring cost effectiveness.
Profitability and Accountability: Focus on maximising the profitability of these products through strategic planning and oversight.

Customer Focus:Lead initiatives to enhance product quality, customer experience and stakeholder satisfaction through continuous Improvement.
Represent AQA at external events and develop commercial strategies for product improvement.
Manage team to align delivery with AQA’s priorities.
Develop customer value propositions based on deep customer insights.
Engage in planning and quality assurance of customer engagement campaigns and collaborative projects.

Financial Management:Optimise product profitability, balancing financial targets with broader interests.
Act as the product portfolio leader within AQA, setting and communicating priorities.
Update and manage financial targets in collaboration with the Finance department.
Advise on pricing policies and generate business cases for new developments.

Product and Internal ProcessesOversee the development and maintenance of product plans, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
Analyse data for informed decision-making and facilitate cross-departmental collaboration.
Regularly review product strategy and plans for ongoing relevance and effectiveness.
Ensure compliance with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.

People and Culture:Lead and develop team members, promoting and role modelling a high-performance culture.
Provide feedback, coaching, and development aligned with business objectives.
Ensure compliance with AQA policies and demonstrate adaptability to changing business needs.
Work collaboratively with a range teams and roles in AQA, specifically the Research and Innovation team and the Product Management team in Customer and Product.

Technology:Identify and manage external partnerships, working closely with stakeholders within AQA to ensure successful outcomes in what will be innovative new approaches with technology to support assessment products
Employ digital tools for efficient and effective communication and content management.

Government and External Relations:Apply business analytics for insight-driven policy development and stakeholder engagement.
Oversee regulatory and compliance aspects of product management.

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
Knowledge: Product development and management, marketing, with financial and commercial acumen.
Qualification: Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
Skills: Leadership, communication, influencing, negotiation, creative thinking, analysis, problem solving, prioritisation, strategic planning and interpersonal abilities.
Experience: Educational or commercial product development and management experience, working in a complex matrix environment, people management