At a Glance
- Tasks: Launch and grow a new digital service for UK schools, driving sales and building a team.
- Company: Join Dataspire, a forward-thinking organisation committed to improving education through technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a chance to shape the future of education.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to build a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the education sector while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in UK education or sales, with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 € per year.
Location: Hybrid (Home/Head Office - M27 6DB)
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 (dependent on experience)
Purpose of the Role
This role exists to launch and grow Dataspire ONE - our managed digital maturity and assurance service for UK schools and Multi-Academy Trusts - into a market that genuinely needs it. You will work directly with the CEO and senior trust leaders to:
- Generate qualified opportunities and run the full sales cycle
- Present Dataspire ONE credibly to MAT CEOs, CFOs and school SLTs
- Personally deliver the first cohort of reference customers
- Build the commercial and delivery team behind you as the service scales
This is not a maintenance role. You are launching something new and will be accountable for whether it succeeds.
Role Overview
We are looking for a senior commercial leader with deep credibility in the UK education sector, someone who has either worked inside schools or trusts at a senior level, or sold strategic services into them, or both. You will own the launch of Dataspire ONE end-to-end. In the first six months, that means personally selling and shaping the proposition. Beyond that, it means building and leading the team that takes Dataspire ONE to scale. The role combines:
- Commercial leadership and revenue accountability
- Senior stakeholder engagement at MAT and school level
- Strategic shaping of the Dataspire ONE proposition
- Team building and leadership as the service grows
Role Responsibilities
- Pipeline Generation & Opportunity Creation
- Build a qualified pipeline against the Dataspire ONE Ideal Customer Profile, including:
- Direct outreach to MAT CEOs, CFOs and school SLTs
- Activation of CCS framework opportunities (RM6103, RM6098)
- Sector events, conferences and trust networks
- Referrals from existing Dataspire accounts and partners
- Marketing-supported demand generation
- Work alongside marketing to shape campaigns, content and events
- Own the prospect list and the cadence of engagement
- Selling & Closing
- Run the full commercial cycle from first conversation to signed contract.
- Tailor the Dataspire ONE pitch to:
- MAT-level strategic priorities
- School-specific risk and compliance pressures
- Procurement realities (frameworks, governor approval, term cycles)
- Negotiate scope and commercial terms within agreed pricing parameters
- Service Delivery & Client Outcomes
- Personally lead the delivery of Strategy & Assurance work for the first cohort
- Translate the Dataspire ONE methodology into credible client outputs
- Adapt the proposition based on:
- What clients actually buy
- Where the methodology breaks down in practice
- What competitors and DfE expectations are doing
- Build the case studies and references that fuel future sales
- Senior Stakeholder Credibility
- Operate as a peer with:
- MAT Chief Executives
- Trust Chief Operating and Financial Officers
- Headteachers and School Business Managers
- Translate digital and commercial decisions into:
- Trust-level risk
- Educational and safeguarding impact
- Board and ESFA-relevant language
- Hold your position when challenged on cost, scope or methodology
- Commercial Expansion & Account Growth
- Identify follow-on improvement, infrastructure and assurance work within Dataspire ONE clients
- Coordinate with Dataspire delivery teams to scope and price proposals
- Drive renewal and retention of Dataspire ONE subscriptions
- Team & Function Building
- Document the playbook as you sell, so it can be transferred to the team you build
- Define, hire and lead the Dataspire ONE commercial and delivery team (4–6 people across 18 months)
- Set the operating rhythm, KPIs and standards the team will be held to
Key Outcomes
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Signed Dataspire ONE customers and contracted recurring revenue against agreed targets
- Quality of reference customers secured and case studies produced
- Pipeline coverage and conversion rates against the Dataspire ONE ICP
- Expansion revenue and retention within the Dataspire ONE client base
- Credibility of the proposition with MAT and school leadership in the market
- A documented, transferable playbook and the team built to deliver it
Experience Required
- Senior commercial or leadership experience in, or selling into UK education
- Track record of carrying and hitting a number on advisory or managed services
- Strong working understanding of:
- Digital and IT estates within schools and trusts
- Cybersecurity, safeguarding and DfE digital standards
- MIS, cloud platforms (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace) and edtech
Proven ability to:
- Open senior conversations from a standing start
- Influence MAT CEOs, CFOs and Headteachers as a peer
- Build commercial functions, not just sell within them
Person Profile
You are:
- Senior, credible and comfortable in MAT boardrooms
- Commercially literate
- Comfortable building from zero and accountable for the outcome
You are not:
- A pure account manager looking after a warm book
- A consultant who wants someone else to find the deals
- Someone who needs a finished playbook before they will start
How to Apply
If you have the experience, commercial focus, and leadership capability this role demands, we would welcome an application. Please send your CV and a covering note outlining your suitability to . Dataspire is a Mental Health at Work Committed organisation and a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process.
Head of Education Strategy & Sales in Warrington employer: Dataspire Solutions
At Dataspire, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you lead the launch of our groundbreaking service, Dataspire ONE, in the UK education sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in schools and Multi-Academy Trusts across the country.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Education Strategy & Sales in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with MAT CEOs, CFOs, and school leaders. Attend sector events and conferences to make those valuable connections that could lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Tailor your pitch! When you get the chance to present Dataspire ONE, make sure you align it with the specific needs of the schools or trusts you're talking to. Show them how it solves their unique challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up consistently! After your initial conversations, keep the momentum going. Send personalised follow-ups to keep your prospects engaged and remind them of the value Dataspire ONE brings.
✨Tip Number 4
Leverage our website! Apply through StudySmarter’s platform to ensure your application stands out. We’re all about making connections, so let’s get you in front of the right people!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Education Strategy & Sales in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Education Strategy & Sales. Highlight your experience in the UK education sector and any relevant commercial achievements that align with what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Covering Note:Your covering note is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for launching Dataspire ONE. Be specific about your past successes and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills:Since this role involves engaging with senior leaders, make sure to highlight your experience in building relationships with MAT CEOs, CFOs, and school SLTs. Share examples of how you've influenced decision-making at a high level.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dataspire Solutions
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of Dataspire ONE and its value proposition. Be ready to discuss how it addresses the needs of MAT CEOs, CFOs, and school SLTs. This will show your genuine interest and help you present the service credibly.
✨Prepare for Senior Stakeholder Engagement
Since you'll be interacting with senior leaders, practice articulating your thoughts in a way that resonates with them. Use industry-specific language and be prepared to discuss educational impact, risk management, and compliance issues that matter to them.
✨Showcase Your Sales Strategy
Be ready to outline your approach to generating qualified opportunities and running the full sales cycle. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built pipelines and closed deals, especially in the education sector.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires building and leading a team, so highlight your leadership experience. Discuss how you've previously documented processes or created playbooks, and how you plan to do the same for Dataspire ONE as it scales.
