Subject Lead - Business, Economics and Accounting in Guildford

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.

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: Manchester: £47,895 - £55,000, Guildford, Milton Keynes or London: £49,900 - £57,200

Working arrangements: Hybrid - at least one day a week in the office, regular customer visits with national travel and regular overnight stays.

Lead people with clarity, purpose and impact, helping your team thrive while shaping the future of education. Ready to lead with impact? This is your opportunity to take Business, Economics and Accounting beyond the classroom and shape how thousands of teachers and learners experience the subject. With over 60 Subject Matter Experts in our Subject Support department, you'll join a vibrant network of colleagues to work with, learn from and share ideas with. We’re looking for someone who brings fresh ideas and perspectives to enhance our culture and thrives in an environment where priorities shift and adaptability is key.

Purpose of the role

You will lead the Business, Economics and Accounting subject area, combining subject expertise with strategic leadership to strengthen customer engagement, influence product growth and deliver clear, measurable outcomes that demonstrate impact on engagement and growth in a competitive market. You’ll be a visible ambassador for AQA Business, Economics and Accounting, building trust and confidence with diverse stakeholders. You will work with teachers and communities across diverse regions, ensuring Business, Economics and Accounting reflects the experiences and needs of all learners.

Key responsibilities

• Setting and delivering measurable plans for the subject that align with AQA's strategy and reform priorities, with defined targets for engagement, retention and growth.
• Leading and developing a small team of specialists to build capability, foster collaboration and drive continuous improvement.
• Designing and executing customer engagement strategies using insight and data and representing AQA externally at conferences and stakeholder events.
• Building long-term relationships with schools and stakeholders.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have

• Demonstrable and recent experience leading a Business/Economics department, with a strong understanding of both GCSE and A Level specifications and assessment practice, with credibility among teachers.
• Proven leadership experience, including coaching and building team capability.
• Commercial awareness and a customer-centric mindset, with examples of turning insight into action that delivers measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, adapting your style under pressure and in ambiguous situations.
• Confidence in using data and metrics to define success, monitor progress and adjust plans at pace.
• Ability to engage and inspire external stakeholders, building confidence with diverse audiences.

What’s in it for you

• A platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events.
• Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity.
• Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance, an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, and generous company pension contributions up to 11.5%.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.

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.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on 07813 724161.

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone – regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background – is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate

• An excellent understanding of the subject, specifications and current pedagogy.
• People leadership skills.
• Former teaching experience or ability to demonstrate credibility with teachers.
• Excellent communication, presentation and training skills in line with AQA brand and tone of voice.
• Basic project leadership skills.
• Operational Management skills.
• Stakeholder management and collaborative working.
• Influencing and brand advocacy.
• Organisation, planning and prioritisation skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• A big picture mindset.
• The ability to have robust conversations with customers and stakeholders, own and deliver corporate messages.
• The ability to interpret data to inform decision making, monitor delivery and impact to customers.
• Modelling of organisational leadership habits and values and behaviours.
• An understanding of AQA's assessment products, processes and practices relevant to your subject(s).