AQA seeks two new Trustees: one highly talented individual with strong business and commercial acumen gained in the EdTech environment, and one with extensive experience in people leadership, and particularly in remuneration and reward. (Deadline: 20th June)
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AQA is the UK’s largest provider of academic qualifications for schools and colleges, with assessments that are highly valued by employers and universities around the world. They are taught mainly in schools and colleges, and include GCSEs, A Levels, Project Qualifications, Functional Skills and the Unit Award Scheme, alongside a range of qualifications specifically designed for international British curriculum schools through a joint venture with Oxford University Press.
AQA sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A Levels taken in the UK every year. As an independent education charity, its income is reinvested back into charitable activities. It also funds its own cutting-edge research and development, which sits at the heart of its assessments, and it supports initiatives such as helping young people facing challenges in life to realise their potential. AQA also provides support and services that enable learning: these include comprehensive support and training for teachers, Continuing Professional Development courses, and online resources to help teachers in the classroom.
AQA is focusing on an exciting strategy to move beyond pen-and-paper exams by developing and ultimately delivering digital exams. In line with its strategic aims, AQA has developed and is now actively piloting a scheme involving thousands of students taking online GCSEs.
In addition, AQA will be trialling innovative smart assessment technology which adjusts the difficulty of questions in response to students' answers. AQA also has a dedicated AQi website to advance understanding of assessment. The AQi site brings together research, insight and ideas to inform debate about the future of assessment.
You can find out more about AQA here and AQi here.
Diversity
AQA is an equal opportunities employer and is actively welcoming 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 characteristic that makes people unique.
As an organisation that is proud of the diverse range of communities and individuals it serves, AQA particularly welcomes applications from female candidates, those from an ethnic minority, and people with disabilities, to help ensure our Board speaks for all.
Trustees, both as a group and as individuals, are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, its financial health, the probity of its activities as a charity and limited company, and the development of its aims and objectives, in accordance with AQA’s governing document and within legal and regulatory guidelines. Trustees act as advocates for AQA’s work and speak up for it publicly when appropriate.
Summary of responsibilities:
Business Growth
AQA is seeking a highly talented individual with strong business and commercial acumen gained in the EdTech environment to join its Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will have experience in EdTech business growth through diversification, joint ventures and / or partnerships, and will be able to contribute effectively to the development of an innovative commercial strategy.
AQA’s Trustees work in partnership with the executive team to guide organisational strategy, policy, educational initiatives and development, and to meet its educational and charitable objectives. This is a rare opportunity for an expert in EdTech and business growth, operating in national or international markets, to bring their insight and perspective to the largest exam board in the UK — to help shape its future and that of thousands of young people.
Alongside your specialist skillset and background, you will possess the ability to apply sound judgement and make credible decisions. You will have strong strategic vision and be willing to assume the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, alongside strong commercial and financial experience supporting your specialism in EdTech business growth.
People Leader / Reward
AQA is looking to attract to its Board someone with extensive experience in people leadership, and particularly in remuneration and reward. The successful applicant is likely to have a profound understanding of how to build and maintain the link between a great workplace culture and improved business performance, and of leading organisations through growth and change.
Candidates will be able to contribute effectively to the development of an innovative commercial strategy connected closely to AQA’s culture and people. The Board of Trustees works in partnership with the executive team to guide organisational strategy, policy, educational initiatives and development, and to meet its educational and charitable objectives. This is a rare opportunity for a people-focused leader to bring their insight and perspective to the largest exam board in the UK — to help to shape its future and that of thousands of young people.
Alongside your specialist skillset and background, you will possess the ability to apply sound judgement and make credible decisions. You will have strong strategic vision and be willing to assume the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, alongside strong commercial and financial experience supporting your specialism in people leadership and reward.
Board Composition — For further information, please follow the link here.
Everyone has the potential to achieve, so AQA makes sure that its qualifications give all students (irrespective of background) the opportunity to show what they can do and progress to the next stage of their lives. All Trustees should be aligned with this purpose, as well as having a deep belief in the transformative impact of education and the importance of making it accessible for all.
Safeguarding
AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk; and is 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.
Terms of Appointment
These Trustee roles are unremunerated; reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board meets five times per year, and there will be an expectation to join at least one sub-committee (such as Audit, Risk and Compliance, or Finance, which might add up to five more meetings per year). Board meetings are currently held in a hybrid manner through a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. Trustees are expected to join at least one Sub-Committee, and are also invited to engage with executive team members on specific ideas and projects, and to attend AQA events. Appointments are generally for three years in the first instance, which may be extended by mutual agreement for a further term.
The deadline for consideration is 20th June 2022.
If you would like to register your interest, please fill in the form below. A member of the Nurole team will be in touch ahead of the deadline to discuss the process further.