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 seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Education Insights Lead

Manchester: £43,600-£49,500

London: £45,500- £51,500

Permanent

Hybrid

Enjoy working in a fast paced research environment?

Are you able to translate data into clear insights and actionable recommendations?

We are seeking an Education Insights Lead to join our office in either Manchester or London. The successful candidate will work alongside policy, public affairs and media colleagues, as well as educational assessment experts, to provide educational insights and analyses to internal and external audiences.

Landscape:

AQA is a leading exam board and education charity. As well as delivering high quality assessment, we believe it is vital that we use our research, insight and expertise to improve the world of education and assessment. This position will play a key role in delivering this. The successful candidate will conduct quantitative and qualitative policy research, including data analyses, rapid evidence reviews and focus groups, and communicate insights from this to senior internal stakeholders. The postholder will be used to working in a fast paced environment, conducting research which leads to clear insights and (when appropriate) clear recommendations. Recent policy reports we have published can be found here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/policy/policy-reports

Need to know:

• A degree or other relevant qualification (such as an apprenticeship) in a relevant field (e.g., Education Policy, Public Policy, Statistics, Economics).
• Proven experience of delivering research projects independently, preferably in an education-related or assessment-related context – please include an example of this somewhere in your application, for example a link to a policy report or blog.
• Strong understanding of education policy issues and trends.
• Experience of using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies for analysis and insight, including statistical data analyses, data visualisations, surveys, interviews and focus groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations.
• Ability to use own knowledge and expertise to advise and influence stakeholders, assess risks and recommend actions
• (Desirable) Previous experience in consultancy, government, or a think tank is highly desirable

What’s in it for you:

At AQA we recognise our employees' contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package.

This includes:

• 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure
• Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
• 35 hour working week
• Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
• Life assurance, BUPA PMI and Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme
• Part time and flexible working arrangements considered

What next?

If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!

We are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.

Recruitment Agencies

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

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:

•The Education Insights Lead will work alongside teams of educational assessment experts and policy experts to provide educational insights and analyses to internal and external audiences.
•This will require applying specialist knowledge of education and analytical methodologies to design and deliver research, analysis and policy intelligence projects independently.
•As an analytical expert, the Education Insights Lead will carry out rapid evidence reviews, surveys and focus groups, analysing quantitative or qualitative data using specialised software, and delivering internal and public-facing presentations, visualisations and reports.Landscape:

AQA is a leading exam board and education charity. As well as delivering high quality assessment, we believe it is vital that we use our research, insight and expertise to improve the world of education and assessment. This position will play a key role in delivering this. The successful candidate will conduct quantitative and qualitative policy research, including data analyses, rapid evidence reviews and focus groups, and communicate insights from this to senior internal stakeholders. The postholder will be used to working in a fast paced environment, conducting research which leads to clear insights and (when appropriate) recommendations for AQA.

Activities:
Conduct fast paced research, some ad hoc and some in longer 4-6 week ‘deep dive’ projects, into areas of interest to AQA
Conduct in-depth analysis of educational data to extract meaningful insights and trends
Lead qualitative analysis, such as focus groups or 1:1 interviews, with teachers, parents, young people and others
Synthesise findings from existing research
Develop reports with clear insights
Present insights and evidence-driven recommendations to senior internal stakeholders, to inform policy, communications and strategic decision-making
Manage, where necessary, contracts with external research and polling providers to supplement and complement in-house work
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure AQA effectively leverages internal insight with external audiences
Support policy and media colleagues in defending the reputation of AQA, by deploying data and analysis in public facing communications
Analyse and synthesise complex policy documents, reports, and academic literature, providing timely updates on emerging trends and potential implications for AQA

Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to have knowledge/experience of):
A degree or other relevant qualification (such as an apprenticeship) in a relevant field (e.g., Education Policy, Public Policy, Statistics, Economics).
Proven experience of delivering research projects independently, preferably in an education-related or assessment-related context.
Strong understanding of education policy issues and trends.
Experience of using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies for analysis and insight, including statistical data analyses, data visualisations, surveys, interviews and focus groups.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to translate complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations.
Ability to use own knowledge and expertise to advise and influence stakeholders, assess risks and recommend actions
(Desirable) Previous experience in consultancy, government, or a think tank is highly desirable