Head of School Partnerships

About Sparx

Here at Sparx, we’re working flat out to investigate scientifically what makes the best learning experience. By using real-time data to drive an evidence based approach to education, we’re developing an extraordinary new technology for the classroom that is redefining the limits of what young people can achieve and is helping us figure out what works (and what doesn’t) in the field of
education.

Our platform for Maths uses custom built content and a powerful, data-driven web and mobile framework, to deliver a tailored set of exercises, games and incentives for students.

We’re looking for people with a real passion for education and a belief in the power of technology to improve it. Things move fast at Sparx so we need people who assume that excellence is a given and who are ambitious, creative, intelligently sceptical and highly knowledgeable. People who want a challenge; people who want to make a difference.

Job description

As Head of School Partnerships, you’ll be taking up a critical position as we enter an exciting period of growth. You’ll be responsible for managing the successful integration of our service in the schools we work with. You’ll be focused on offering the best service possible and be responsible for
managing and building the School Partnership team. With great oversight of what’s going on in Sparx and in the classroom, you’ll be the touchpoint between head-office and our school stakeholders. You’ll be responsible for nurturing & developing those relationships. Well-versed with the school
environment, you’ll know there’s no such thing as a typical day, and you will be used to juggling tasks and priorities, keeping customers in the fore front of your mind, whilst solving problems and highlighting insights to improve the service. One thing’s for certain; you’ll be hard pushed to find another non-teaching role that offers the same degree of school engagement, and have at its core a
mission to make a difference for an entire generation.

Key responsibilities

• Manage & build a team of School Partners.
• Develop and maintain successful relationships between Sparx and key stakeholders such as teachers and heads of department, Head Teachers and MAT’s
• Provide in-lesson support and training for teachers within schools using the Sparx system.
• Collaborate with the team to find out what’s working (and what’s not) through the analysis of data, observation of school lessons and talking to teachers.
• Ensure the planning and implementation of our service runs smoothly and that any issues are managed effectively and appropriately.
• Identify ways to improve our products and how they can be used/deployed within the school environment.

About you

You’re looking for an opportunity to use the knowledge and insights you’ve gained through teaching in a broader capacity. You’ll be excited by the prospect of using your experience to manage and build a growing team of School Partners. You’ll be able to use your exceptional people and problem
solving skills to build credible relationships with our clients, becoming their go-to person for Sparx. You’re an inventive problem-solver; you love coming up with solutions to challenges. You’ll ask the right questions to understand the client’s goals and listen to their feedback. You’ll be very customer focused with the composure and flexibility needed to ensure successful delivery in a high profile service environment.

Things move quickly at Sparx so you’ll be able to work under pressure. You may be looking to come away from teaching or have experience in a similar role with another education technology organisation. You’ll be excited and motivated by the prospect of a defining a new role within the company, and of course, you’ll be knowledgeable, positive and infectiously enthusiastic about the
values and vision of Sparx.

Here’s an overview of some of the specific skills and experience we’re looking for:

Essential:

• A Maths, Science or any relevant technical degree
• Senior teaching experience or experience in a similar role within education technology sector
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK secondary education system
• An understanding and experience of the technology being used with the secondary education system
• People management and recruitment experience
• Excellent communication and organisation skills
• Discreet, tactful and highly emotionally intelligent
• Very comfortable with technology and willing to learn more
• Should possess personal drive to deliver results and meet objectives
• Have advanced problem solving skills to create innovative service solutions to customers' needs
• Should possess good judgement, decision making skills and commercial awareness
• Should display a focus on continual service improvement
• Full, clean driving licence
• Ability to successfully pass a DBS check

Desirable:

• Experience of project management, account management and customer service
• Experience in delivering customer-focused support

Our team

We’re about living life, not putting it on hold. Our generous benefits include substantial holiday leave and company pension. We have a range of on-site facilities for all employees to use free of charge. We have a netball court, a five-a-side football pitch, a running track, a pool table, a 2012 Olympic table tennis table, as well as a gym with classes throughout the day. Our café serves delicious, local, and organic food. Did we mention it’s all free? On top of this you’ll have great views from your office window of the foothills of Dartmoor and boats out at sea on the horizon - with the beach just 20 minutes away. Plus, we’re constantly organising events and activities to support our charities, and to socialise. Our work is serious but we’re all about having fun while we do it!

To find out more, and to see the other roles we are recruiting for, please visit our website at www.sparx.co.uk.

How to apply

If you think you’ve got what it takes then tell us about yourself by applying now. You can apply online by visiting our careers site www.sparx.co.uk/ignite.

Sparx Head Office in Exeter.