At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of IELTS technology, ensuring performance and scalability.
- Company: Global leader in international education services with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Influential leadership role with opportunities for global impact.
- Other info: Join a mission-driven team committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital platforms in international education.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in complex tech programmes and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About IDP
IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world. Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer-first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.
Role purpose
We are seeking a seasoned senior technology delivery leader with extensive experience in steering complex, multi-organisation environments to spearhead the strategic direction, governance, and operational execution of the IELTS partnership technology ecosystem. This ecosystem supports one of the world's most esteemed English language testing platforms, ensuring it remains robust, scalable, and innovative. You will occupy a pivotal leadership position at the nexus of technology delivery, partnership governance, and cross-organisational alignment. Reporting directly to the Director of Technology Partnerships, you will serve as the primary accountability lead for the stability, security, and evolution of technology platforms shared across the IELTS partnership, which includes global collaborators such as the British Council and Cambridge Assessment English. Situated at our London corporate office, this full-time, permanent role provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate broadly, influence at senior levels, and ensure excellence in delivery within a highly regulated, high-stakes international education environment. If you thrive on leading transformational technology agendas in partnership ecosystems that make a global impact, this role offers a compelling challenge.
What you'll lead
- Lead the end-to-end management and delivery of the shared IELTS technology estate, ensuring exceptional performance, resilience under load, adaptability to change, and scalability to meet expanding global needs.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve a robust technology governance framework that ensures transparency, clear decision-making pathways, defined ownership, and accountability among all partnership stakeholders.
- Develop and drive the execution of a unified, strategic technology roadmap aligned to the collective priorities and aspirations of the IELTS partnership, anticipating future trends and opportunities for innovation.
- Coordinate cross-partner collaboration effectively, skillfully managing and resolving dependencies, risks, and delivery conflicts to achieve seamless integration and shared success.
- Champion operational excellence across platform operations, ensuring continuous high availability, top-tier vendor management, rigorous service quality standards, and responsive incident management practices.
- Maintain stringent oversight of risk management, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity protocols, and data protection practices for all shared systems within the partnership to safeguard data integrity and trust.
- Engage with global technology and business leaders regularly to promote shared understanding, foster collaborative problem-solving, and advance the maturity of partnership technology capabilities.
What you bring
- Demonstrated leadership excellence in delivering complex, large-scale technology programmes in multifaceted, multi-stakeholder, multi-organisational environments, showcasing resilience and strategic vision.
- Advanced expertise in technology governance frameworks, risk management methodologies, and compliance requirements applicable to large international technology ecosystems.
- In-depth knowledge of enterprise platform architectures, principles of digital product delivery, and Agile/DevOps methodologies, with a focus on continuous delivery and improvement.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with proven experience in aligning diverse senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries to achieve common goals.
- Experience working within partnership or consortium-led delivery models, particularly with global or joint-ownership structures, is highly desirable.
- High adaptability and emotional intelligence to navigate varying organisational cultures, political sensitivities, and operational dynamics, tailoring communication and leadership approaches to foster trust and collaboration.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to anticipate potential challenges and devise proactive mitigation strategies in a fast-moving global context.
- A commitment to inclusivity, continuous learning, and championing diversity within teams and partnerships to drive innovation and shared success.
Why this role
- Take charge of one of the most strategically critical technology ecosystems within global educational partnerships, influencing the future of IELTS digital platforms.
- Collaborate with globally renowned partners in a purpose-driven organisation committed to international education and lifelong learning.
- Enjoy a highly visible leadership position with direct influence on global technology delivery outcomes and strategic direction.
- Shape the future development and continuous evolution of a shared digital platform that operates at a significant international scale.
- If you excel in managing complexity, uniting diverse organisations, and driving impactful technology solutions that benefit millions worldwide, we encourage you to apply and join our mission-driven team.
Head of Partnership Technology Delivery employer: IDP Education Ltd
IDP is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets international education. With a strong commitment to employee growth and inclusivity, IDP provides ample opportunities for professional development while fostering a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives. As a leader in global education services, employees can take pride in contributing to meaningful projects that impact students and partners worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Partnership Technology Delivery
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what IDP Education Ltd values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges IDP Education Ltd might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at IDP Education Ltd!
✨Direct Apply to IDP Education Ltd
Let's not forget to apply directly through the IDP Education Ltd website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Partnership Technology Delivery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at IDP Education Ltd.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at IDP Education Ltd. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at IDP Education Ltd
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
