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Director of Research

Permanent

Deadline 12 May 2026

Salary range: £100,000 to £115,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Closing date for applications:  Tuesday 12 May 2026

AlphaPlus is globally recognised for excellence in the design, development and deployment of qualifications and assessments, and in the evaluation of their performance and impact.  We work with schools, universities and professional organisations.  AlphaPlus is part of AQA Global Assessment Services.

We currently have an excellent opportunity to join us as Director of Research, to lead innovative research activities and drive evidence based strategies in shaping the company’s future in pursuit of excellence in educational research.

You will be a commercially focused, dynamic and inspirational leader, possessing an excellent pedagogy track record, expertise in qualitative and quantitative psychometrics and a thorough understanding of emerging technologies and their application in educational research and assessment.

You will:

  • Act as a member of the management board
  • Deliver a coherent research vision and provide strategic leadership and direction for high quality, impactful research activity
  • Lead, oversee and be accountable for the research functions of the company
  • Report to the management board, providing an oversight of the company’s educational research activities, leading discussions on matters relating to the research function and ensuring the provision of relevant management information to the board
  • Lead and have overall accountability for all aspects of research services to clients from project implementation to project closure
  • Ensure the appropriate application of emerging technologies while maintaining the highest standard of academic rigour
  • Contribute directly to the growth, sustainability and external impact of AlphaPlus’ research portfolio through seeking out and leading the development of high-quality competitive bids and proposals,

You will have the following:

  • A relevant PhD
  • An established track record of thought leadership
  • Data analytical skills
  • A demonstrable track record in research design and methodology
  • Familiarity with automated scoring systems and adaptive testing algorithms
  • A high level of competence with statistical techniques and tools
  • A thorough understanding of ethical standards and regulatory compliance
  • Working knowledge of statistical analysis software/literature review platforms
  • Excellence in pedagogical expertise and educational research
  • Several years’ demonstrable track record in research design and methodology
  • Demonstrable successful track record identifying opportunities and developing bids
  • Senior leadership experience leading research teams, overseeing and managing their performance
  • Leadership of large-scale projects from end to end
  • Experience of
  • AI/ML applications in assessment or education
  • Large-scale data environments
  • Digital assessment platforms

AlphaPlus currently has a core team of over 60 staff primarily based in our Manchester head office, and in addition draw upon a team of approximately 800 associates.

The post is permanent, full-time working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday and is Manchester office based.  The company offers hybrid working (two days per week minimum in the office, with three days working at home).  A relocation package is available if appropriate.

The role will involve national and occasional international travel, potentially including working in customer offices.

Benefits include:

  • NEST workplace pension scheme – tier 1
  • enhanced sick pay cover
  • enhanced maternity/parental leave
  • 25 days paid leave plus the eight statutory bank holidays
  • commitment to developing the expertise of our employees.

For an informal discussion about the vacancy please email Romy Short, Managing Director, romy.short@alphaplus.co.uk, who will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time for a call.

Please note that AlphaPlus is not licensed to offer sponsorship under the UK government’s skilled worker sponsorship scheme.

The full job description/person specification is available here. 

To apply, complete the online application form available here.  To complete and submit your application you will need to upload the following documents when prompted:

  • Your current CV, tailored to highlight relevant qualifications and experience
  • A covering statement which sets out how you meet the competencies relevant to this role including how you meet the most important personal attributes and details of your most significant relevant experience.

We expect to invite shortlisted candidates to an interview and assessment at our Manchester office in the week commencing 18 May 2026.

AlphaPlus is committed to providing equal opportunities to all and has an inclusive approach to recruitment, selection and employment.  Demographic details requested as part of our monitoring process are not used in our selection process. You are invited to download and complete the equal opportunities monitoring form and return it encrypted to monitoring@alphaplus.co.uk or by post, marked Confidential, to Ziyan Amjid, AlphaPlus, c/o AQA Education Ltd, Devas Street, Manchester, M15 6EX.

By submitting an application to AlphaPlus you indicate that you agree to the terms of our recruitment privacy notice and the AlphaPlus privacy policy published on our website.