AQA
Productivity Lead - Operational processes, Data and Technology
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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.
Productivity Lead - Operational Processes, Data and Technology
Permanent
Guildford or Milton Keynes: £55,000 - £61,400
Manchester: £52,800 to £59,000
Hybrid working – a minimum of 2 days per week in the office
Use data, insight and continuous improvement to help AQA teams work smarter and deliver better outcomes.
This Productivity Lead role is ideal for someone who can turn operational insight into practical change. You’ll work with data and technology-enabled teams to identify where processes can be improved, test better ways of working and evidence the impact through measurable benefits.
You’ll play a key role in helping teams understand how data, tools and process improvements can reduce effort, improve quality and support better decision-making. Your work will help AQA continue to deliver for learners, schools and colleges in a way that is clear, consistent and efficient.
We are looking for 2 people:
- Productivity Lead - Entries Results and Reconciliation team – you could be based in either the Manchester, Guildford or Milton Keynes office
- Productivity Lead - Standardisation Marking and Moderation team – you could be based in either the Manchester or Guildford office
What’s in it for you?
- You’ll have the opportunity to use data and improvement thinking to shape how important operational work is delivered across AQA.
- A role where your insight can directly improve quality, productivity and service delivery.
- The chance to work with digital tools, data-led processes and cross-functional teams.
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence how improvements are prioritised.
- A 35 hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
- 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days.
- A benefits package including a pension which could see a combined contribution of up to 18.5%, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.
- Being part of AQA’s inclusive and values-led culture, with the opportunity to join a variety of employee networks, including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity and Interfaith.
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
- Leading quality, productivity and efficiency initiatives across data or technology-enabled processes.
- Using tools such as Power BI, advanced Excel or similar approaches to generate insight and support decision-making.
- Identifying opportunities to improve workflows, quality controls, data assurance and process performance.
- Supporting teams to test, implement and embed new systems, tools or ways of working.
- Carrying out productivity analysis, including time-and-motion studies, to identify where effort can be reduced.
- Tracking benefits, reporting outcomes and documenting process changes clearly.
- Working with stakeholders across teams to build confidence, alignment and momentum for change.
Please note, we are also recruiting for Productivity Leads whose focus is Operational Processes, Logistics and Supplier Management.
You’ll thrive in this role if you have:
- Experience using data to understand performance, identify issues and recommend improvements.
- Confident skills in Power BI, advanced Excel or similar insight and reporting tools.
- Experience working with digital, operational or technology-enabled processes.
- An understanding of quality controls, data assurance or process-driven environments.
- Experience applying project and change management approaches to deliver improvements that stick.
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You’ll do well in this role if you’re comfortable working with data and people, and you can translate insight into clear, practical improvements.
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.
What’s Next?
To apply, please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter
Applications close at 23:59 on Monday 10 August.
The recruitment process is expected to include a first-stage video interview in the week beginning 31 August, followed by a face-to-face interview with a presentation and values and experience based questions from the week beginning 14th September.
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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
Purpose:
The Productivity Lead is responsible for driving a culture of future-focused quality, productivity and efficiency initiatives by identifying, designing, and leading operational teams to deliver initiatives that enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness across the department. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on leadership to streamline operational processes, optimise resource utilisation, and deliver measurable benefits aligned with departmental goals and future change initiatives requirements. The position requires curiosity and analytical insight to uncover improvement opportunities, the ability to lead functional and cross-functional teams through change, and expertise in documenting and evidencing the impact of initiatives to demonstrate value and return on investment.
Landscape:
Reporting to the Head of Department, this role drives the delivery of high-impact priorities that enhance quality and efficiency across the team. As a key leader, you will guide departmental teams to define, implement, and measure outcomes that directly support departmental objectives and align with EDD’s strategic goals. This position is pivotal in shaping operational excellence and fostering a culture of quality & productivity improvement.
Activities
Productivity & Process Enhancement
- Lead Improvement Initiatives: Drive multiple quality, productivity, and efficiency projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and the EDD strategic goals.
- Opportunity Identification: Proactively identify and scope opportunities for process optimisation, cost reduction, and quality improvement in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Solution Development & Implementation: Work with the teams to design and implement practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
- Performance Measurement & Reporting: Establish baselines, define KPIs, and measure progress for all initiatives. Produce clear reports on results, benefits achieved, and areas for further improvement.
- Productivity Analysis: Define and monitor productivity rates for all tasks, including conducting time-and-motion studies to identify inefficiencies.
- Documentation & Governance: Maintain accurate records of process changes, outcomes, and lessons learned to support compliance and future decision-making.
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Resource Utilisation & Cost Management
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Use analytics to evaluate resource usage and cost trends, enabling informed decisions and risk mitigation.
- Workforce Utilisation: With direction from the Head of Department optimise workforce allocation and improve utilisation rates across permanent and temporary staff.
- Budget control: Provide accurate budgeting by validating resource requirements and challenging assumptions to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Task Allocation Clarity: Ensure transparency on task distribution, productivity expectations, and time requirements for all staff, including temporary workers.
Future Change Initiatives
- Change Request Management: Act as the central point for triaging and prioritising future change requests within the department.
- Technology Adoption: Support teams in testing, implementing, and embedding new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with subject matter experts and escalate issues promptly to ensure successful delivery of change initiatives.
- Process Reviews: Lead departmental and end-to-end process reviews to identify further opportunities for productivity gains and operational improvements.
Key Objectives
- Deliver measurable quality & productivity improvements across departmental processes.
- Align quality & productivity initiatives with departmental and organisational goals.
- Ensure benefits are tracked, reported, and sustained over time.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know how to:
- Future-Focused Productivity and Efficiency Initiatives mindset with curiosity to identify and explore opportunities for process optimisation.
- Proven ability to lead functional teams in designing, developing, and implementing process changes.
- Skilled in documenting, tracking, and evidencing benefits of productivity initiatives to demonstrate value and ROI.
- Competence in change management practices to ensure successful adoption of new processes.
- Strong capability in translating insights into actionable strategies for operational excellence.
Success Measures
- Initiatives Delivered: Minimum of 3 active initiatives at all times, with at least 2 completed per quarter.
- Quality improvements: Achieve X% improvement in Quality metrics (to be defined per department initiative).
- Productivity Gains: Achieve X% improvement in task productivity rates (to be defined per department initiative).
- Cost Savings: Deliver measurable cost reductions (as defined in each initiative) through improved resource utilisation and process efficiency.
- Time & Motion Studies: Complete baseline productivity analysis for 100% of key tasks within the first 6 months.
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