Performance and Planning Lead

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.

R8330 Performance and Planning Lead Permanent Guildford, London, Milton Keynes £37,000 - £42,400 Manchester £36,200 - £40,700 Working arrangements: Hybrid - two days a week in the office

Are you someone who thrives in complexity, enjoys connecting the dots and takes pride in seeing strategic plans come to life? At AQA, we are committed to supporting your growth and success. From a comprehensive benefits package to continuous development opportunities, we provide the tools you need to excel.

Purpose of the role

As Product Management Performance & Planning Lead, you will play a key role in helping AQA improve and evolve its product offering. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will lead the planning, coordination and oversight of the Product Management programme of work, ensuring projects are delivered effectively, on time and within budget.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the creation of clear, focused project roadmaps that align with our long-term growth goals.
• Ensure effective collaboration across teams, maintaining alignment and proactively managing risks, issues and dependencies.
• Keep stakeholders informed through regular updates on progress, risks and potential blockers.
• Drive accountability across teams by leveraging our governance structure, coordinating forums and sub-groups, and ensuring priorities are delivered.
• Have access to the tools and training needed to communicate complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Proven experience supporting project or programme delivery within a matrix environment, balancing multiple priorities and short and long-term objectives.
• Strong governance experience, including managing risks, issues, dependencies, actions, priorities and reporting, with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint, with the ability to use technology confidently to support planning, reporting and coordination activities.
• Experience using project management tools and methodologies, alongside a continuous improvement mindset focused on driving efficiency and successful outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and engage confidently with managers and teams across the organisation.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think logically, make informed decisions and connect people, processes and business goals.
• A collaborative team player who works effectively across multiple teams, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability and a willingness to support changing business priorities.

What's in it for you?

• A generous pension scheme with combined contributions up to 18.5%
• 25 days of annual leave (rising yearly), plus Bank Holidays and a Christmas closure
• Hybrid working, with two office days a week
• Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan and paid volunteering days

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 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 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.

Full Job Description Summary

AQA is much more than just an awarding organisation, our purpose is to advance 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. R8330 Performance and Planning Lead Permanent Guildford, London, Milton Keynes £37,000 - £42,400 Manchester £36,200 - £40,700 Working arrangements: Hybrid - two days a week in the office

Landscape:

Reporting to a Senior Product Manager, you will work collaboratively with teams across AQA to develop and manage the roadmap of key Product Management activities; challenging and enabling the delivery of such activities to drive delivery on time and on budget.

Activities:

• Support the delivery of the Product Management plan through the delivery of clear, project focused and aggregated plans to deliver Product Management priorities and activities in pursuit of the Product Growth strategy objectives and targets.
• Support effective cross team planning, in addition updating and maintaining associated risks and issue logs.
• Provide a regular holistic view of short- and long-term progress, risks, issues and obstacles in achieving our Product Growth strategy (actively managing and updating formal risk documentation).
• Engage with, and hold to account, operational functions responsible for delivering the Product Management programme of activities.
• Support and act as the conduit for the planning processes across each function, helping to ensure prioritised Product Management projects are delivered on time, within budget and achieve desired outcomes.
• Support the active running of Product Management governance; manage relevant agendas, engage with working sub-groups and capture/follow up on agreed actions, manage the relationship between Product Growth Strategy objectives, in-flight activity, prioritisation and performance.
• Communicate all information in a clear, easy to understand way.

Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know)

• Experience in a matrixed environment and delivering a roadmap of activity that delivers a balance of short- and longer-term projects.
• A passion for planning, organisation and creative problem solving, an excellent understanding of how people, objectives, process and systems link together in a complex organisational environment.
• Background or exposure to managing multiple priorities and resources at one time, working with cross-functional teams, knowledge and expertise in project management and/or programme management.
• Experience in process improvement and knowledge of agile methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean and Design thinking.
• Committed to putting customers at the heart of your thinking and decision making.
• A customers front and centre mindset is essential.
• Delivery focussed with a logical approach to problem solving and prioritisation.
• Good relationship management skills with the ability to manage stakeholders on multiple levels.
• Clear communication skills.
• A background in either Project/Programme management, or continuous improvement would be advantageous.

AQA is an independent charity

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role, please contact the recruiter named in the vacancy advert or your interview correspondence. They will work with you to ensure the appropriate support is in place and that the process is as accessible and equitable as possible. If you're unsure who your recruiter is, or can't reach them, contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or 07813 724161, and she'll direct you to the right person. Please note that Faye cannot assist with temporary vacancy enquiries or non-recruitment matters. For temporary vacancies, contact temprecruit@aqa.org.uk.

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.

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. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact Temporary roles

temprecruit@aqa.org.uk

Permanent and Fixed Term roles

opportunities@aqa.org.uk

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