People and Performance Manager

Hybrid Working

Do you want to help shape the future of educational assessment and empower teams to deliver impactful research? At AQA, your leadership will drive innovation and excellence in education, influencing how assessments support learners of all abilities.

As People and Performance Manager in the Research Team, you'll guide and develop a talented team of researchers, ensuring projects align with AQA's mission to be the UK's pre-eminent educational assessment organisation. Your work will help deliver high-quality research that informs policy, improves assessment design, and benefits millions of learners. (Within AQA this role is called Research Management Lead)

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and developing researchers to achieve high performance and growth
• Planning and monitoring research programmes to meet strategic goals
• Building strong, collaborative relationships across AQA and with external stakeholders

What We Are Looking For

• Exceptional people management skills and ability to inspire others
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Experience in project management and delivering to milestones
• Open-minded, adaptable, and ready to champion new ways of working
• Understanding of educational research or assessment

What's in It for You

• Being part of a team who truly make a difference in the world of education and part of the assessment research community with national and international networking
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance - days per week in the office, working a 35 hour week, 25 days annual leave with additional closure in December
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values your ideas - the opportunity to join lots of network groups (LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, disAbility, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity, parents and carers and more)
• Wellbeing programmes including private health insurance and a health care cash reward plan, subscription to Headspace, volunteering days
• An excellent pension

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 detailing your suitability for the role by 23:59 on Tuesday 27 January 2026

Interviews will take place in the Manchester and Guildford offices in the week beginning 09 February.

All applications will receive a written response

Customer advert reference: R7262

Advert information