Director of Education and Product Development

Association of Taxation Technicians

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

The primary charitable objective of the Association of Taxation Technicians is to promote education and the study of tax administration and practice. One of our key aims is to provide an appropriate qualification for individuals who undertake tax compliance work. Drawing on our members’ practical experience and knowledge, we contribute to consultations on the development of the UK tax system and seek to ensure that, for the general public, it is workable and as fair as possible.

Our members are qualified by examination and practical experience. They commit to the highest standards of professional conduct and ensure that their tax knowledge is constantly kept up to date. Members may be found in private practice, commerce and industry, government, and academia. The ATT is a registered charity, number 803480, and a regulatory body for Anti-Money Laundering supervision of tax practitioners. The ATT is managed by its Chief Executive under the strategic guidance of the Council.

About the role

The Director of Education and Product Development is a newly created senior leadership role at the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), established in response to sustained growth in student numbers, expansion of ATT’s qualifications and products, and the increasing strategic importance of education to the organisation’s future. Historically, responsibility for ATT’s education provision and product development has been shared across roles, reflecting the close operational relationship between ATT and the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).

As both organisations have grown, and as ATT’s portfolio has expanded in scale and complexity, particularly in relation to new qualifications and international delivery, the need for a dedicated, senior role focused solely on ATT has become clear. This role brings together the leadership of ATT’s core education function with responsibility for product development and innovation. It is designed to ensure that ATT’s qualifications continue to meet the needs of employers and students, while enabling the organisation to respond effectively to change, diversify its offer and develop new products for emerging and established markets.

The Director acts on behalf of ATT as the senior custodian of educational standards, assessment integrity, and education strategy. The role has oversight of ATT’s flagship Level 4 qualification and apprenticeship provision, foundation-level qualifications, and a growing suite of diplomas and certificates delivered in the UK and internationally. It also plays a central role in shaping how ATT develops new products, including short qualifications and specialist offerings that support access, progression and social mobility.

Looking ahead, the role has a strong forward-looking remit. The Director will lead thinking on issues such as digital assessment, artificial intelligence and ethics, ensuring that ATT’s education framework continues to reflect developments in the tax profession while retaining the confidence of employers, trustees and examination committees.

The role is intentionally designed as a shaping role. The Director will build and lead an ATT-focused education team, recruit to new posts, review structures and processes, and work closely with trustees, volunteer examiners, employers, and tuition providers to ensure that ATT’s education function is resilient, credible, and fit for the future. As a member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Director of Education and Product Development plays a key role in shaping ATT’s strategic direction and long-term impact.

Responsibilities

Operating Environment:

• Director of Education and Product Development will lead the Education team, which is responsible for the delivery of the ATT qualification, primarily delivered in the UK to aspiring Tax Technicians, the majority of whom are funded by their employers, and a suite of other shorter tax qualifications delivered to the UK and GCC markets.
• Delivery of the ATT qualification is a critical function to the organisation, representing several thousand candidate sittings each year. It must be delivered in accordance with the law relating to reasonable adjustments. The qualification also forms part of the Level 4 Tax Technician apprenticeship.

Framework & Boundaries:

• The role involves the successful design, development, and delivery of the ATT Council’s education strategy, which will be developed in accordance with the ATT’s charitable objectives.
• Measures of success include the growth of student numbers, growth in revenue streams (through the development of additional education products), and ensuring the ATT qualification continues to be held in high esteem by external stakeholders.
• Management of key risks arising from the education function and advising the CEO of these also form a key aspect of this role.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Lead and direct the Education team, Chief Examiners, and contractors who contribute to the educational activities of the ATT.
• Lead change management projects within the education function, ensuring risks are anticipated and managed effectively.

Potential Job Impact:

• Lead the highly effective development and administration of the qualifications offered by ATT, including quality assurance, student communications, and services. Contribute to the promotion of the qualifications in conjunction with the ATT’s Executive team

Other Accountabilities:

• Member of SMT, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the ATT.
• Liaison with key partners and education leaders in key employer and other stakeholder bodies to promote and discuss the ATT’s qualifications.
• Write and present papers for the Examinations Steering Committee
• Group and ATT Council (and other ad hoc working groups as needed). Contribute to the debate and provide clear and factual information to aid decision-making as needed.
• To work with the ATT Council and relevant Committees to design and execute the education strategy for the ATT. 

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge & Experience:

• Client-facing at a senior level
• Proven track record of successful delivery of education projects and qualification development.
• Proven ability to be able to respond to and resolve complex issues
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills
• Previous experience delivering examinations and other assessments in a professional body setting
• Extensive experience in developing a qualification rubric, learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Functional, Technical Skills:

• Methodological and excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities to a high standard and with inflexible deadlines
• Analytical thinker with the ability to prioritise to meet deadlines
• Competent in MS Office packages, databases and a competent website user 
• ATT qualified or equivalent professional qualification is desirable

Interpersonal & Work Management Skills:

• Make difficult decisions that could affect the careers of students, and so you must have judicial qualities in applying the rules of the Association consistently and accurately with fairness and compassion.
• Strong communication skills, including persuading and influencing others in an appropriate manner to gain agreement, support and buy-in. You will demonstrate a consultative approach with collaborative skills to achieve the best results, working with diplomacy and pragmatism. You will have the ability to analyse problems, propose solutions and present to a range of audiences, including senior decision makers.
• Member of the senior leadership team and must be able to play a full part in that team.
• Able to design and manage the administrative operations necessary to deliver the ATT examinations within challenging timetables. In addition, you must be able to promote these to top employers.
• Work within the governance structure as decisions on the content of the examinations, future policy developments and on the performance of the candidates are taken by practising tax professionals – usually volunteers. The Director of Education and
• Product Development must work to standards set by larger organisations that are familiar to tax employers and students, but with fewer resources.
• Experience of delivering examinations in a professional body. You must also have experience in leading a team with different skills and disciplines to meet unvarying and challenging timetables and requests by Council and Steering Groups. 

Compensation & Benefits

• 32 days of annual leave per year
• Group Pension Plan (10% employer and 3% employee contribution) upon joining.
• Income protection cover, which provides up to 75% of salary if you are absent due to ill health for more than 13 weeks.
• 24-hour group personal accident scheme providing a sum equal to three times your current salary in the event of your permanent disability, loss of a limb, or death.
• Non-contributory life assurance cover of 4 times your salary. 
• Bupa private medical insurance: You can join our company-paid private medical insurance scheme, which pays for the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions.
• Health Shield Essentials (including Employee Assistance Programme): You can join our health & benefit programme. We pay the cost for the basic level (including any dependent children). The benefits include the refund of a range of medical costs (dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc) and an employee helpline covering medical and legal issues and counselling.
• Interest-Free Loans: After 6 months’ service, you may apply for an interest-free loan to help with the purchase of a season ticket or a bicycle.
• Continuous Professional Development: The Association of Taxation Technicians supports learning and development and offers a wide range of courses and opportunities. 

Working locations

• Remote working with occasional mandatory London meetings.

How to apply

• For further information about this role, please check the job pack
• Applications (CV and covering letter) to be sent online by 17:00 on 22nd May 2026.
• If you have any questions regarding the process that are not covered in the job pack, please contact Tom Ewen at [email protected] of Berwick Partners. This will not prejudice your application in any way.
• If you are unable to apply online, please email [email protected] with your CV and covering letter.

Interviews

• Following a long list meeting of the Selection Panel, successful candidates will be invited to attend preliminary interviews with Berwick Partners w/o 29th May 2026.
• The first stage interviews with ATT are currently scheduled to take place w/c 22nd June 2026, with second stage interviews planned for w/c 29th June 2026.

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