Lead Project Manager

Job title:

Lead Project Manager
Contract type:
Permanent

Location:

Milton Keynes
Salary: £54,900 to £61,300
Working Arrangements:
Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office

Are you ready to lead new and impactful projects that shape the future of assessment services? As a Lead Project Manager at AQA, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality outcomes for our customers in the UK and internationally. You'll drive operational excellence, champion the Voice of the Customer, and lead cross‑functional teams to deliver projects that matter.

Working within Assessment Services Limited, you'll take ownership of multiple high‑stakes projects or examination series, ensuring they are delivered on time, to budget and to the standards our customers expect. This role is central to driving operational excellence and championing the Voice of the Customer across AQA.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

Managing multiple examination series for UK and international customers, ensuring contractual SLAs, compliance requirements and service standards are consistently met.
Leading cross‑functional work streams supporting ASL strategic priorities.
Acting as a customer advocate in technology discussions, influencing priorities and ensuring customer needs shape delivery plans and roadmaps.
Provide clear leadership across cross‑functional project teams, setting expectations, coaching others and embedding high‑quality delivery practices.
Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal teams, acting as a key escalation point and ensuring a seamless service experience.
Produce clear, insightful reporting for senior stakeholders, including RAG status, financial forecasting and scenario analysis.

What We Are Looking For

You'll thrive in this role if you:

Hold a recognised Project Management qualification or have equivalent experience.
Are highly organised, able to prioritise effectively and make sound decisions under pressure.
Communicate clearly and confidently, including writing concise reports with financial analysis.
Solve problems pragmatically, adapt to change, and remove delivery blockers.
Have strong stakeholder management skills - influencing, negotiating and building trust at all levels.
Bring curiosity, resilience and a continuous improvement mindset.

What's in It for You

This is an opportunity to make a real impact while growing your career. You'll benefit from:

Leading projects that shape the future of assessment services globally.
Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
Flexible working arrangements to support a positive work-life balance.
A supportive, collaborative culture where innovation and improvement are encouraged.
Access to unique initiatives and strategic work streams.

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.

Application process

To apply , please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role by 23.59 on Sunday 01 March.
First stage interviews will take place remotely throughout the week of 09 March, second stage interviews will take place in our Milton Keynes office on 17 and 18 March.

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