Director of Associates

At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.

Director of Associates

Permanent

Salary : 102 - 117K

Location :
Guildford London

Hybrid (two days per week in the Guildford office)

Closes :
Friday 14 November

Youll be joining AQA at a pivotal moment as our Director of Associates leading the strategic roadmap of how we engage with and manage our 40000-strong associate workforce. This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll shape the future of assessment delivery through people process and technology. If you’re passionate about improving experience driving commercial efficiency and building a best-in-class associate community this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

This position has arisen due to retirement. There is opportunity to build on the transformational work the incumbent has delivered to set the vision of the next period and drive accountability and operational delivery.

Your work will directly support AQA’s mission to deliver fair and reliable assessments for learners of all abilities. You’ll lead a team of professionals and collaborate across departments to ensure associates receive a consistent high-quality experience that drives performance and advocacy. You’ll be responsible for the strategic oversight of AQA’s associate community ensuring their lifecycle from recruitment to contract performance is managed with excellence.

Our 40000 associates are contracted annually to support the creation delivery and marking of exams and other assessment products and services of AQA Education and Oxford AQA. Therefore this role would best suit someone with experience of managing a sizeable external / third party workforce.

• Evolve and develop the next phase of the associates strategy to ensure it is fit for future years and is aligned to AQA goals with measurable outcomes.
• Lead change programmes across people processes and systems to further improve associate experience and commercial efficiency.
• Oversee associate resource planning, recruitment, onboarding, training, retention and contract management across the organisation.

• Proven strategic leadership experience in managing large-scale contingent work forces or complex stakeholder communities.
• Strong change management skills with a track record of delivering cost-effective improvements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and contracts effectively.
• A collaborative mindset and ability to coach senior leaders to drive continuous improvement.

• This is a unique opportunity to lead a strategic function at the heart of AQA’s operations. You’ll benefit from :
• Exposure to high-impact work that shapes the future of assessment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• A collaborative and inclusive organisational culture.
• Access to unique projects and initiatives that drive innovation.

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 D&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.

To apply please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

The selection process includes CV screening and a three-stage interview process including a professional role play. These…