AQA
Community Engagement Manager
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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.
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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.
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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
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