Director of Research & Innovation

WMJobs; Dudley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Academies Trust is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Research and Innovation to lead Ped Tech practices across our schools.

The postholder will drive evidence-based approaches, foster strategic partnerships with the West Midlands Education Exchange, higher education, and local employers to advance teaching and learning through technology.

The role is based at our Millennium Point Innovation Exchange Centre and will shape future educational practices across the trust.

Job description

Dudley Academies Trust,

Dudley Academies Trust are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Research and Innovation to lead and shape the future of pedagogicaltechnology (Ped Tech) practices within our Trust. This role is pivotal in advancing the Trust's commitment to evidence-based practices and technological and pedagogical innovation.

The successful candidate will focus on supporting teachers' continued professional development through a range of strategic partnerships with members of the West Midlands Education Exchange, higher education and leading employers in the region. This will bring cutting-edge PedTech development into our schools and into the Trust’s unique Innovation Exchange Centre based at Millennium Point.

The postholder will play a central role in developing innovative educational practices and initiatives that drive excellence across the Trust, fostering strong partnerships, and ensuring the effective integration of technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Dudley Academies Trust was established to ensure a first rate education for the young people of Dudley and the surrounding areas. It is important to us that all our young people have a high-quality education that will give them the foundations they need for a fulfilling life and a rewarding future career.

With three primary schools having joined the Trust so far, we aim to offer a route from Nursery and Reception all the way through to the A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships and degree-level courses offered by our sponsor, Dudley College of Technology.

We have recruited numerous, excellent staff to our academies and made some outstanding appointments to their leadership teams. We have introduced a proven system of rewards and behaviour management that has changed the culture of our classrooms, accompanied by a raft of new approaches to teaching. An inspiring curriculum offers a rich variety of subjects with strong emphasis on basic skills in English and Mathematics and the digital technologies that are now so important.

Closing date for this role is Friday 2nd October 2026 - we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the date advertised.

All successful applicants will need to undertake an enhanced disclosure and barring service check and children and adults barred list checks, where the applicant will be employed in a regulated activity.

Dudley Academies Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including disabled, and black and ethnic minority applicants.