We started The Engagement Platform (TEP) because we were convinced that understanding how school stakeholders think, feel and act in relation to school is one of the most valuable things a school leader can know. The evidence bears this out: engagement connects to attendance, attainment, staff retention and wellbeing. Yet most schools still rely on annual surveys disconnected from the outcomes they are accountable for.
We set out to build a platform grounded in academic research, designed around the rhythms of school life, and capable of giving school leaders the insight they need to make better decisions. TEP now works with over 500 schools across the UK, has built a national dataset of more than 300,000 pupils, and was recognised in the UK Government's 2026 Education White Paper as a case study in how engagement data can support school improvement.
None of which would matter if the approach didn't travel. But it does. Over the past year, in collaboration with Social Ventures Australia, we have brought TEP to Australian schools. Over two census windows in November and March we have reached over 15,000 students across four states and territories, and the early findings mirror what we have seen in the UK: engagement is measurable, it predicts outcomes, and schools can act on it.
The Opportunity
Student disengagement is one of the most pressing issues facing Australian schools. In 2024, 40% of students attended school less than 90% of the time. But the warning signs appear much earlier, in how students feel about school, their relationships, and their motivation to learn.
Over the past year, TEP and Social Ventures Australia have collaborated to bring TEP to Australian schools. Significant foundations are already in place:
* Two student censuses completed: 5,000 students in November 2025 and over 10,000 in March 2026, spanning Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the ACT.
* More than 50 schools already participating, with strong traction in regional groups.
* Funding secured to support growth and transition from pilot to a sustainable, locally led operation.
* A proven technology platform, with product leadership retained in the UK and only light‐touch configuration required for the Australian context.
* Early findings that mirror the UK evidence base: engagement declines sharply from primary to secondary, gender gaps emerge in help‐seeking, and motivation patterns diverge by year group.
* A pathway to sustainability, with paying school partnerships from late 2026.
TEP is supported by our partnership with Social Ventures Australia and an Education Engagement Taskforce comprising of cross‐sector leaders, practitioners, and researchers working to build Australia's most comprehensive dataset on educational engagement.
The Role
The Managing Director will take ownership of TEP's Australian growth, build partnerships across the school system, and establish TEP Australia as a trusted presence in the sector. The foundations described above – the Taskforce, pilot schools, the SVA partnership, the evidence base – provide the starting point.
The Managing Director's task is to convert that momentum into a sustainable, locally led operation. In practice, this means three things:
* Business Development. Lead new partnerships across the school sector, develop and execute business development strategy and build relationships with senior leaders.
* Strategic Leadership. Act as the senior leader and primary representative of TEP in Australia, adapt and refine TEP's operating model for Australia, contribute to broader TEP strategy as part of a global leadership group.
* Delivery Oversight. oversee onboarding, support and retention ensuring high standards of delivery - working with the UK‐based team.
About You
We are open to a wide range of backgrounds. What matters most is a deep understanding of the Australian education landscape, the ability to build trusted relationships at a senior level, and the drive to grow something new. You might come from school leadership, from a state or territory department of education, or from the Catholic or independent sectors. You might have a background in education technology, social enterprise or purpose‐driven business development.
Details
Salary: $140,000-$165,000 AUD (inclusive of performance related pay, with potential for growth in‐line with project expansion)
Location: Melbourne or Sydney preferred; open to other locations. Based out of a Social Ventures Australia office, with options for home and flexible working.
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