Head of Colleague Comms and Engagement
- locations
- Guildford
- Milton Keynes
- London
- Manchester
- time type
- Full time
- posted on
- Posted Yesterday
- time left to apply
- End Date: September 29, 2025 (15 days left to apply)
- job requisition id
- R7037
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.
Head of Colleague Comms and Engagement
Permanent
Manchester: £71,459 – £78,124
Guildford: £74,406- £81,346
Hybrid – 2x days a week in the office
Introduction
This is an exciting opportunity to lead AQA’s internal communications and engagement strategy at a pivotal moment. As Head of Colleague Comms and Engagement, you will set the direction for how we connect with and inspire our 1,400 colleagues. You will play a key role in shaping the colleague experience, building a culture of open communication, and ensuring every colleague feels informed, valued, and engaged.
Purpose of the role
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for AQA’s internal communication and engagement. You will support our Executive Team and senior leaders to deliver clear, impactful, and inspiring content. You’ll work closely with the CEO and senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted adviser on colleague communication and engagement challenges, and ensuring AQA’s purpose and strategy are embedded across the organisation.
Key responsibilities
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
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Developing and leading the internal communication strategy to strengthen colleague engagement and alignment with AQA’s purpose and goals.
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Supporting senior leaders with clear, high-impact communication and advice on key organisational messages.
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Leading, developing, and inspiring a dedicated communications team to deliver engaging initiatives and events across AQA.
What we are looking for
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
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Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively engage, lead and develop a team
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Significant experience in internal communication and leading a team
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Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
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Ability to navigate complex organisational structures and collaborate with cross-functional teams
What’s in it for you
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact on how AQA communicates and connects with colleagues. You’ll shape the future of colleague engagement while working closely with leaders across the organisation.
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The opportunity to lead a highly visible, strategic function at the heart of AQA.
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Exposure to senior leaders and the chance to influence organisation-wide priorities.
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A 35-hour week and a flexible working culture.
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25 days’ holiday, rising to 30 with service – plus bank holidays and additional Christmas closure.
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An enhanced contributory pension scheme – you could pay in 7% and AQA contributes 11.5% (other options available).
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Comprehensive health coverage from day one – including Bupa PMI, Health Cash Plan, and Life Assurance.
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Access to eco-friendly transport schemes, including cycle to work and electric vehicle leasing.
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Strong commitment to personal and professional development.
Diversity and inclusion
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 cover letter. The deadline for applications is Sunday 28th September. The selection process will include two interviews. 1st stage will be F2F at our London office on 1st Oct and 2nd stage will be on 2/3 Oct via MS Teams. Successful candidates will be supported with a thorough onboarding process to help you get started.
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
This highly strategic role plays a pivotal part in ensuring that internal communication is targeted, outcome focused, impactful, and reflective of our commitment to excellence, creativity and innovation.
While the main focus is on AQAEd, there is a growing need to support the wider Group, including Assessment Services and our increasing vocational presence.As the Head of Colleague Comms and Engagement, you will lead and manage the Internal Communications and Engagement team, which is an integral part of the Corporate Affairs and Strategy business area.
You will report directly to the Executive Director for Corporate Affairs and Strategy and be a member of the Business Area’s senior leader team. You will act as Business Partner to the Exec Team, including the CEO, providing strategic advice, and working collaboratively with the External Affairs and Strategy teams.
Additionally, you will lead and manage a small team of professionals delivering impactful corporate communication and overseeing the corporate comms calendar.
Activities:
Lead and develop the internal communication strategy to drive employee engagement and alignment with organisational objectives
Scan the current and longer-term external horizon to ensure internal communication matches what AQA needs now and in the future
Keep abreast of progress with the AQA strategy and organisational issues to ensure all are represented in the comms strategy and plan
Provide insightful and strategic advice on internal communication challenges to the Exec Team
Deliver highly impactful communication at the highest level, including content for the CEO for set piece internal events
Lead and mentor a team, providing clear direction, support, and development opportunities
Collaborate with senior leadership to align communication strategies with business priorities and values
Develop and implement innovative communication initiatives to embed AQA’s purpose, strategy, and culture in all internal communication channels
Act as an active member of the CAS SLT, ensuring that colleague needs and concerns are factored into organisational strategy
Handle internal communication responses to crisis situations or confidential projects
Work collaboratively with external communications colleagues to co-ordinate messages and campaigns
Line manage all members of the IC team
Be comfortable working in a changeable environment and embracing uncertainty
Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively engage, lead and develop a team
Be up to date with latest communication trends, themes and tools
Track record of working under pressure, fostering resilience within a team
Able to build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels and in all parts of the organisation
Significant experience in internal communication and leading a team
Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
Ability to navigate complex organisational structures and collaborate with cross-functional teams
Demonstrate experience in leveraging communication channels to foster employee engagement and embed company values
Track record of writing succinctly for impact
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:
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