Alpha Plus - Service Project Manager in Manchester

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.

Salary: £25,000 to £27,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience

Closing date: 10/02/2026 at noon

AlphaPlus currently has a full-time permanent opportunity for a service project manager to join our vibrant service team. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated graduate with a passion for and interest in a career in the education management sector to work in a fast-moving and dynamic education organisation in a service support role. The postholder will report to the service desk manager and will work together with the trialling and service delivery team and project leaders. They will support large-scale trials of new assessment materials and provide service desk support for schools, depending on business needs and the projects within the team at any given time.

Specifically, this will include support for the NSA Service Desk for schools and local authorities as part of the National Standardised Assessments for Scotland (NSA), for which you will be required to adhere to a shift pattern which covers 08:30 -16:30 or 09:00 – 17:00, to provide a single point of contact to support schools in accessing online assessment materials. You will also provide cover to support a service desk for candidates as part of a contract for assessment development and delivery for a major UK regulator, as required. The working hours for this are 06:00-14:00. The position is full-time, working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and is Manchester office-based.

Candidates must possess:

• GCSEs or equivalent in maths and English
• Good set of A levels or equivalent
• Good honours degree or equivalent
• Reasonable fluency with MS Office applications
• Aptitude for adapting to new software and digital services
• Good standard of numeracy and literacy
• Ability to provide first-line editorial checks of project materials
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong stakeholder and engagement skills

Project management, people management and stakeholder management skills are desirable, as are the following:

• Experience in a customer service role
• Experience using CRM/service desk software
• Experience in public sector education
• An understanding of the Gaelic/Scottish education system

A comprehensive induction and training will be available for the successful candidate. We are an inclusive employer. Job share/other flexible working arrangements may be considered for the right candidate(s). Any such preferences should be indicated at the early application stage and can be discussed further at the interview. The company offers hybrid working (two days per week minimum in the office, with three days working at home). The exact allocation of office-based days is decided by the appointee’s manager, although flexibility remains our policy and approach. Normally, the role will involve some travel, including visits to schools.

Benefits include:

• NEST workplace pension scheme – tier 1
• enhanced sick pay cover
• enhanced maternity/parental leave
• 25 days paid leave plus the eight statutory bank holidays
• commitment to developing the expertise of our employees.

We expect to invite shortlisted candidates to an assessment and interview in the week commencing 23 February 2026.

To apply: Please complete the online application form located. To complete and submit your application, you will also need to upload the following documents:

• Your current CV, tailored to highlight relevant qualifications and experience
• A covering statement which sets out how you meet the competencies relevant to this role, how you meet the most important personal attributes and details of your most significant relevant experience.

AlphaPlus is committed to providing equal opportunities to all and has an inclusive approach to recruitment, selection and employment. Demographic details requested as part of our monitoring process are not used in our selection process.

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. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate.

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.

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.