Community Engagement Manager

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  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 youA 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…