Head of Commercial Planning & Performance 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.

This newly created leadership role is ideal for someone who can see the bigger picture, connect activity across teams and turn ambitious plans into coordinated delivery. Commercial at AQA is growing and evolving. From vocational qualifications and digital assessment to new products, services and strategic initiatives, there’s more happening than ever before.

What we need now is someone who can bring visibility, alignment and momentum across that increasingly complex landscape. You’ll work with senior leaders across Commercial and the wider organisation to ensure priorities are clear, resources are focused in the right places and key initiatives move forward with confidence. You’ll be trusted to identify risks before they become issues, connect teams around shared goals and help leaders make informed decisions about what matters most. You’ll also have the opportunity to build and develop a new planning capability, shaping how Commercial works for years to come.

What’s in it for you?

• A rare opportunity to shape a newly created leadership role and build a new capability from the ground up.
• Exposure to senior leaders and strategic decision‑making across AQA.
• The chance to influence how major commercial priorities are planned, prioritised and delivered.
• Involvement in some of AQA’s most significant strategic developments, including vocational qualifications, digital assessment and commercial growth initiatives.
• The opportunity to build and develop a team while creating lasting organisational impact.
• A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
• 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days.
• A benefits package including a pension which could see a combined contribution of up to 18.5%, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.
• Being part of AQA's inclusive and values‑led culture, with opportunities to join a range of employee networks and communities.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading Commercial planning and prioritisation activity.
• Creating visibility across programmes, projects and strategic initiatives.
• Identifying risks, dependencies and resource challenges.
• Supporting senior leaders with planning insight and recommendations.
• Coordinating activity across Commercial and partner functions.
• Driving alignment between strategy, priorities and delivery.
• Leading governance and planning forums.
• Building and developing a growing planning capability and team.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience leading complex programmes, portfolios, operational planning or business transformation activity.
• A track record of managing competing priorities across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Experience working within a regulated environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to translate strategic objectives into practical plans and tangible outcomes.
• Experience identifying and managing risks, dependencies and resource constraints.
• Strong leadership skills and experience developing people and teams.
• A reputation for creating clarity, driving action and getting things done.

You do not need to come from education. We welcome applications from candidates with experience in commercial planning, programme delivery, customer operations, portfolio management, business transformation or other complex and regulated environments.

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.

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 16 August 2026. The recruitment process is expected to include a first-stage Teams interview during the week commencing 24 August, followed by a final-stage assessment and interview in early September.

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’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.

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.