At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK , we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Community Engagement Manager

Permanent

London: £40,400 - £46,400

Manchester: £38,800 - £44,600

Smart Hybrid Working

Are you passionate about making a difference in education? Do you have a knack for building meaningful relationships and influencing key stakeholders? We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Engagement Manager to join our dynamic External Affairs team.

At the forefront of educational innovation, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of assessment for young people across the country. Whether it’s championing digital exams, enhancing core skills like numeracy and literacy, or exploring the impacts of artificial intelligence, your efforts will ensure our voice is heard in the conversations that truly matter. You'll work closely with communities, educators, and young people to create lasting, positive change in the education sector.

What You’ll Do:

• Business Engagement: Establish and nurture a network of business leaders and employers. Understand their needs and align our educational offerings to support the skills they value most.

• Teacher Engagement: Develop strategies to engage with teachers through social media, events, and online communities. Collaborate with our marketing team to foster meaningful discussions that inform and influence educational practices.

• Youth Voice Leadership: Expand our youth engagement programs, giving young people a platform to influence decisions that impact their futures. Lead initiatives like the Student Advisory Group and Unlocking Potential program.

• Higher Education Engagement: Lead our collaborations with universities to drive innovation and ensure a smooth transition from secondary to tertiary education.

What’s In it for me?

This is an exciting time to be part of our team as we lead the way in influencing the future of education for the benefit of children and young people. You'll report directly to the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager and have the opportunity to shape initiatives that will have a lasting impact on education in the UK.

• Generous Leave: Start with 25 days of annual leave, growing to 30 days, plus additional Christmas and New Year’s leave.

• Volunteer Time: Take up to 5 paid days to volunteering for charities close to your heart.

• Health Coverage: Enjoy private medical insurance through Bupa, covering all conditions from day one.

• Wellbeing Support: Access the cycle-to-work scheme, gym discounts, and mental health resources.

• Pension: Benefit from up to 11.5% employer pension contributions.

• Flexible Work: Enjoy a balanced 35-hour work week with flexible hours. Office attendance is approximately two days a week, occasionally more, with some travel between offices.

What will I need to succeed?

• Qualifications & Experience: A background in Education, Business, Communications, or a related field, with proven experience in community engagement or stakeholder management.

• Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups. A passion for education and the ability to stay current on industry trends.

• Attitude: Someone who thrives under pressure, remains calm in challenging situations, and is eager to make a tangible impact in the education sector.

If you're ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that combines strategic influence with a passion for education, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and be a part of something bigger!

Read the full job description then upload your most recent CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience are exactly what we need.

Interviews will be over 2 stages in the middle of September.

All applications will receive a written response.

#PRO23

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We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

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Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose
The Community Engagement Manager at AQA will play a pivotal role in building and nurturing relationships with key communities and stakeholders to positively influence their perception of AQA and leverage the wider benefits such relationships can bring. This role requires a proactive approach in creating and maintaining networks across variousLandscape:
This role will report into the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager within the External Affairs team.
It is an exciting time to be at AQA as we look to influence the future of assessment for the benefit of children and young people across the country. Whether it’s on digital exams, core skills such as numeracy and literacy, or the impact of artificial intelligence – we want AQA to be at the forefront of the debates that matter to young people, teachers and parents. This role will play a key role in this.
Activities:

• Business/Employer Engagement:

o Establish and maintain a network of business/employer contacts from scratch.
o Understand the needs and expectations of businesses in relation to education.
o Influence the alignment of educational offerings with the demands of the business sector.
o Advocate for the inclusion of skills-based qualifications alongside traditional academic pathways.

• Teacher Engagement:

o Develop and implement a proactive strategy for engaging with teachers through various channels such as social media, events, and online communities.
o Work with our social media executive and marketing team to utilise platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to curate groups of teachers and foster meaningful discussions.
o Maximize the benefits of AQA's extensive reach within the teaching community to influence and inform educational practices.

• Youth Voice Leadership:

o Manage and expand AQA's engagement programs with young people, including the Student Advisory Group and the Unlocking Potential program.
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o Work closely with governance and public affairs colleagues to position AQA as a champion of youth voice in the education sector.
o Facilitate opportunities for young people to contribute to important discussions and decision-making processes within AQA and the wider education landscape.

• Higher Education Engagement:

o Lead engagement efforts with higher education institutions, including testing ideas and managing the Higher Education Steering Group.
o Foster collaborative relationships with universities to drive innovation and enhance the transition from secondary to tertiary education.
o Building capability:
o Provide targeted advice and, where appropriate, coaching for AQA colleagues on how to engage with stakeholders

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:

• Qualification and/or experience in a relevant field (Education, Business, Communications, etc.)
• Proven experience in community engagement, stakeholder management, or related fields.
•
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• An interest in education and up to date knowledge to enable engaging with target groups
• Ability to think under pressure and react to different situations calmly
• Experience working in the education sector is desirable but not essential