Project Manager

• locations
• Manchester
• Guildford

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted 2 Days Ago

• time left to apply
• End Date: October 29, 2025 (9 days left to apply)

• job requisition id
• R7086

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.

Project Manager

6 month FTC

Manchester: £52,763 - £58,913

Guildford: £54,893 - £61,343

Hybrid – 2x days a week in the office

Introduction

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of new AI projects at AQA. You’ll be working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring innovative ideas to life, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard.

Purpose of the Role

As Project Manager you’ll play a key role in delivering strategic and core portfolio projects that support AQA’s mission. You’ll help shape the future of assessment by managing projects that improve operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Delivering small to medium-sized AI-related projects across strategic and core portfolios.
• Managing stakeholder engagement, including senior leadership and external suppliers.
• Ensuring projects meet time, cost, and quality requirements through effective planning and risk management.

What We Are Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience managing IT or operational projects, ideally within an AI or technology context.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with a proactive approach to risk and issue management.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to coach and motivate project teams.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality outcomes.

What’s in It for You

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real impact at AQA. You’ll benefit from:

• Exposure to high-impact projects that shape the future of assessment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• A supportive and inclusive organisational culture.
• Access to a range of employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Closing date for applications is Tuesday 28th October. Interviews will be held w/c 3rd and 10th November.

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

Responsible for managing and delivering a range of key operational small/medium sized projects in the strategic and core portfolios. Working with internal and external stakeholders and senior leadership to ensure delivery of project meeting time, cost and quality requirements.Landscape

Customer (external or internal)

Being trusted and reliable in assessment design and delivery.

Effectively influence and build relationships with a range of senior stakeholders, ensuring engagement and support across all aspects of project delivery.

Demonstrates commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change.

Activities

Cash (finances)

Ensuring sound financial management and a robust asset base.

Work with colleagues in Operations and key stakeholders elsewhere in AQA to ensure that project plans are in line with wider capacity plans and resources are available to meet needs.

Ensure projects are delivered within agreed budgets.

Product and internal processes

Delivering quality products and outcomes – as recognised by the customer.

Ensure that project outputs and outcomes are clearly articulated and that progress to their achievement is effectively managed.

Produce core project components as appropriate to the size of the project, such as business cases, project plans, PIDs, etc., in a way that facilitates understanding and decision making and develop supporting products as required.

Plan effectively for the whole project lifecycle - with approved clear migration from project initiation to embedding within delivery teams.

Proactively identify risks and issues as early as possible to take corrective action. When necessary escalate early, with recommended mitigation activity.

Support the Operations teams and stakeholders in process review and continuous improvement activities.

Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.

People and culture

Ensuring we have great people achieving their potential , coach and motivate the project teams, delivering support, driving best practice, developing skills and ensuring learnings are captured.

In conjunction with the management team across Operations, drive effective and seamless working across the Operations Group, ensuring a ‘one team’ approach, with coherent and consistent aims, objectives and actions, and supporting initiatives as required.

Produces high levels of performance from direct reports and teams by modelling leadership behaviours with confidence and providing clarity, challenge, feedback, coaching and development in line with business objectives.

Key relationships and performance

Key internal relationships:

• Operations Leadership Team

• Operations Management Team

• Chief Operating Office

• Assessment Directorate

• Risk and Compliance Directorate

Key external relationships:

• Third party consultants and suppliers where the nature of the project requires such support.

Key performance indicators:

• Delivery of projects to required time, cost and quality requirements.

About Us

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on

07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact:

temprecruit@aqa.org.uk

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here. 

Contact

Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk