Senior Manager - Policy and Public Affairs

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.

Senior Manager – Policy and Public Affairs

Permanent

Location: London or Manchester
Salary: Manchester £57,000 – £64,500 | London £59,000 – £67,500
Working arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 days per week in the office

Work at the heart of education policy and public affairs at a pivotal moment for both general and vocational education.

You are already operating in a high-profile, policy-rich environment and are looking for the opportunity to shape and steer public affairs activity in a way that delivers real impact.

From assessment reform and digital exams to core skills and the impact of artificial intelligence, you will play a key role in ensuring AQA is at the forefront of the debates that matter to young people, teachers and parents.

What’s in it for you

This is a senior leadership role where you will directly influence AQA’s approach to policy and public affairs at a time of significant change across the education sector.

• Reporting into the Head of External Affairs and being an integral part of the senior leadership team
• The opportunity to shape strategy and influence decision making at organisational level
• A high-profile role engaging with government, regulators and key education stakeholders
• Autonomy to lead and develop AQA’s public affairs and policy approach
• The opportunity to lead a multi-location team across London and Manchester

You’ll also benefit from a strong overall package, including:

• A generous pension scheme, with employer contributions of up to 11.5%
• Private medical insurance
• A 35-hour working week and 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional closure over Christmas
• Access to staff networks, learning opportunities and volunteering days
• Hybrid working with 2 days per week in the office

Purpose of the role

You’ll lead AQA’s policy and public affairs function, ensuring we produce high-quality policy insight and engage effectively with government and key stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and developing a policy and public affairs team of 4 across London and Manchester
• Shaping policy positions and overseeing high-quality outputs including reports and consultation responses
• Leading external engagement across government and the wider education sector
• Briefing senior leaders and contributing to strategic decision making
• Identifying policy risks and opportunities through horizon scanning

Your impact in this role

Success in this role will be defined by your ability to:

• Position AQA as a leading assessment organisation that delivers for today and helps shape what comes next
• Produce high-quality, insight-led policy analysis and engage effectively with government and education stakeholders
• Lead a high-performing team that works collaboratively to the benefit of AQA

You will provide expert counsel at senior level and represent AQA with stakeholders across government, regulators, media and the wider education sector.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience of operating in a policy-rich or highly regulated environment
• Strong understanding of education policy across general and vocational education
• Good knowledge of government and political processes
• Experience of public affairs approaches and tools
• The ability to think strategically and connect complex policy areas
• Demonstrable verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Experience of translating insight into clear, compelling messaging
• A collaborative approach and a focus on continuous improvement

Why join AQA

You’ll be part of a team shaping how AQA engages with the education system, helping to deliver better outcomes for students and teachers.

We focus on culture add, valuing different perspectives and encouraging thoughtful challenge and continuous improvement.

What Next? The Application process

• Closing date: Thursday 11th June 2026
• First stage: Teams interviews, week commencing 20th June 2026
• Final stage: Face-to-face interviews, week commencing 29th June 2026 (London or Manchester)

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 and 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.

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

To lead AQA’s policy and public affairs function, ensuring we produce high quality policy analysis and engage effectively with government and other education stakeholders.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, reform to curriculum and assessment, 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 post will play a pivotal part in making that a reality.
Activities:
Oversee the creation of high quality policy reports, position papers and consultation responses on key areas of interest for AQA, including through working closely with research colleagues
Oversee the organisation of regular public affairs milestones such as party conferences, parliamentary receptions, MP visits etc.
Work collaboratively with media and customer comms colleagues to help develop coherent external affairs plans for activity across the breadth of the team
Lead on and take responsibility for the policy and public affairs elements of our external affairs plans, including being accountable for delivery against agreed milestones
Support the media team in creating authentic and high quality content for publication, for example op-eds
Lead on briefing the CEO around key policy positions, and draft speeches where necessary
Undertake regular horizon scanning to contribute to intelligence gathering and executive and trustee-level discussions around policy risks and opportunities for the organisation
Create and maintain a network of contacts in the education sector that are relevant to AQA’s ongoing work, including through chairing stakeholder meetings
Engage widely across AQA to ensure the latest policy thinking is understood and acted upon by relevant teams
Lead a small policy and public affairs team
Chair and co-ordinate regular internal cross-organisation Policy Group meetings Support and coordinate growing policy and influencing work in vocational and technical education
To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:
Excellent knowledge of education policy across both general and vocational education
Excellent knowledge of government and politics
Extensive knowledge and experience of a wide variety of public affairs approaches and tools
Solid leadership skills to drive the team forward efficiently to meet our objectives
Personal impact and ability to communicate to senior stakeholders succinctly and clearly
Excellent networking  and relationship building skills
Ability to think strategically and ‘see the big picture’ i.e. how different bits of the education world or different policy topics might fit together
Ability to work well with research and insight colleagues and get key messages out of the data