Community Engagement Manager

Job description

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 Contract type: Permanent Location: Manchester or London Salary: Manchester £44,000 - £47,000 | London £45,000 - £50,000 Working arrangements: Hybrid, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office Help shape the future of education by connecting the voices that matter most. As Community Engagement Manager, you'll work at the heart of conversations that influence education across the UK. You'll connect with teachers, learners, employers, FE and sector leaders, helping ensure their experiences and insights inform the decisions that shape qualifications, skills and future opportunities. Whether you're developing new partnerships, leading youth voice initiatives or bringing together stakeholders around shared challenges, your work will help AQA stay informed, connected and responsive to the communities we serve. If you're someone who thrives on building relationships, creating meaningful partnerships and turning ideas into action, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Purpose of the role You'll join AQA's Policy and Public Affairs team, working closely with colleagues across our External Affairs function to strengthen relationships and build engagement with key audiences. In this role, you'll lead programmes that create meaningful connections, generate valuable insight and strengthen AQA's influence across the education sector. You'll work with a wide range of stakeholders, from young people and educators to employers, FE leaders and strategic partners, ensuring their perspectives help shape our thinking and future direction. No two days will be the same. One day you might be launching a new partnership or facilitating a stakeholder event. The next, you could be leading a youth engagement programme or using stakeholder insight to inform strategic discussions. You'll have the opportunity to shape new initiatives, develop partnerships and ensure the voices of key communities help inform AQA's thinking and future direction. Key responsibilities Build and grow relationships with employers, business leaders and industry stakeholders, using their insight to help inform discussions about skills, qualifications and the future of education. Develop and deliver engagement strategies for teachers through events, digital channels and professional communities, ensuring their perspectives help shape AQA's work and wider educational debates. Lead youth voice initiatives that give young people meaningful opportunities to influence decisions affecting their education, skills and future pathways. Develop partnerships with universities, further education providers and sector leaders to support qualification innovation, strengthen post-16 insight and expand AQA's reach across the education landscape. Lead AQA's Purpose Driven Partnership Programme, a new grant-giving programme where you will be responsible for supporting the allocation of new grants, ongoing relationship management, delivery, impact measurement and reporting. What’s in it for you A platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity Hybrid working and flexibility to support work-life balance Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance and an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, generous combined pension contributions up to 18.5% and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas An inclusive culture that welcomes new perspectives, values collaboration and encourages innovative thinking to improve how we support teachers and students You’ll thrive in this role if you have: Experience working in education, community engagement, business engagement or a related field. A track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your style for different audiences. The ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing circumstances and make sound decisions. A genuine interest in education and confidence discussing issues affecting learners, educators and employers. Experience managing partnership programmes, grants, stakeholder networks or community-based initiatives. Diversity and inclusion At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. Make your mark on Community Engagement Projects within education—join AQA and help shape the future. Application process To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Application deadline: Sunday 13th September 23:59 Short application questionnaire Interview Process: First stage: Teams Interviews taking place on 23rd and 24th September 2026 Second stage: Face to Face with a task to complete, which will be shared in advance. Interviews will take place on 30th September and 1st October 2026 in either Manchester or London. Onboarding expectations: Please note that an Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate. Successful candidates will be unable to maintain an Associate role with AQA or any other exam board. Reference code: #MCRE 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 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.Landscape: This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-profile Policy and Public Affairs team of five, working within a wider External Affairs function that also encompasses PR and Media Relations and Customer Communications. 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 colleagues across AQA, communities, educators, and young people to create lasting, positive change in the education sector. Activities: 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 Purpose Driven Partnerships programme. - Further Education Partnerships: Develop and manage collaborations with universities to support qualification innovation, transition pathways and strategic insight into post‑16 education trends. Supporting both AQA and the Group’s new Vocational brand. Working across AQA to build, support and expand influence and delivery of AQA’s first vocational influencing/FE Leaders group. - Oversee AQA’s Purpose Driven Partnership Programme, which aims to spark collaborations that add real value for teachers and learners, extending beyond the delivery of high‑quality assessments and resources. The intention is to support initiatives that advance research, innovation and influence and support strategic efforts to shape the education system of the future. Responsibilities for this include: Establishing Initial Partnerships: Working directly with the Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer on the negotiation, contracting and management of a series of external ‘test’ partnerships, and reporting on these directly into the Exec Board and Board of Trustees. End‑to‑End Programme Leadership: Lead the ongoing management of AQA’s first charitable giving programme, ensuring a seamless end‑to‑end experience from design through to evaluation, including responsibility for continuous improvement, progress reporting, annual marketing campaigns, Executive Board reporting, contracting and operational oversight of annual judging process. Annual Grants Cycle Delivery: Run the annual funding cycle, including eligibility criteria, application and assessment processes, panel coordination, award decisions, monitoring, and impact evaluation. Strong stakeholder management to work with colleagues across the business to manage priorities and workflows. Governance & Compliance: Oversee programme governance, risk management and due‑diligence processes, working with cross-AQA teams to ensure compliance with grant‑making standards. Act as the primary point of escalation for concerns. Budget & Contracts: Manage the programme budget within agreed limits and oversee multiple external contracts, providing regular reporting. Insight & Improvement: Define KPIs and success measures, produce insight and impact reporting, and lead continuous improvements to strengthen future funding rounds. To be successful in this role, you will need to know: - 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