At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Unit Award Scheme, shaping its future and driving growth.
- Company: AQA, a respected educational organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Generous pension, flexible working, health support, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in learners' lives and lead a talented team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience with a focus on education and commercial growth.
Permanent position based in Manchester with a salary range of £63,000 - £69,000. This role offers hybrid working.
The Unit Award Scheme (UAS) has been helping learners gain recognition for their achievements for over 40 years. It is used by a broad range of organisations such as prisons, alternative provision settings, charities, adult learning, schools, colleges, and local authorities across the UK. UAS celebrates learning in all its forms, helping learners build confidence, develop life skills, and take steps towards education or employment.
As the Head of UAS, you will lead the overall direction, performance, and success of the scheme, bringing together commercial thinking, customer insight, product development, and people leadership.
What you'll be doing:
- Accountable for the overall performance and development of the Unit Award Scheme.
- Develop and deliver the long-term strategy for UAS.
- Drive sustainable customer growth and retention.
- Lead the commercial performance of the scheme, including budget and revenue targets.
- Use customer insight and market intelligence to identify opportunities for growth.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Influence product development and digital enhancements that improve the customer experience.
- Represent UAS externally, acting as an ambassador for the scheme and the learners it supports.
- Work closely with colleagues across Product, Operations, Technology, and Customer teams to deliver successful outcomes.
Why join us?
- Lead a nationally recognised programme that supports thousands of learners every year.
- Shape future growth by influencing strategy, customer experience, product development, and commercial performance.
- Make a meaningful difference by helping learners gain recognition for achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Lead a talented and committed team with deep expertise and a strong commitment to supporting customers and learners.
What we offer:
- Generous pension scheme - up to 18.5% combined contributions.
- 25 days' holiday, increasing with service, with additional closure days in December.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Access to learning and development opportunities.
- Health and wellbeing support - Private Medical Insurance with BUPA and a comprehensive employee assistance programme.
- Up to five paid volunteering days each year.
- Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme.
- A collaborative and inclusive working environment.
What we're looking for:
- An experienced senior leader who can combine strategic thinking with commercial focus and a genuine passion for improving educational outcomes.
- Experience leading a business unit, product, service, or customer-focused function.
- A strong track record of delivering commercial growth and sustainable performance.
- Experience leading and developing diverse teams through change and growth.
- The ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
- Strong customer focus, with experience using insight and data to shape decisions.
- Experience balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.
- Excellent communication skills, including presenting to and influencing a wide range of audiences.
- The confidence to identify opportunities, challenge thinking, and drive improvement.
It would be helpful, though not essential, if you understand the wider education system and the barriers some learners face, including experience or knowledge of alternative education settings.
If you're excited by the opportunity to lead a respected educational scheme, drive future growth, and make a lasting impact on learners across the UK, apply today and help shape the next chapter of the Unit Award Scheme.
Application and Selection Process:
- Please upload your most recent CV with a supporting statement outlining why you would be the best person for this job.
- Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 16 August.
- Interviews will take place in two stages at the end of August/beginning of September.
- The first stage will be an online interview via Teams, followed by a face-to-face interview at our Manchester office.
- You will also be asked to deliver a presentation.
Head of Unit Award Scheme employer: AQA
AQA is an exceptional employer located in Manchester, offering a dynamic work environment where education specialists can thrive. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and private medical insurance, alongside a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Our commitment to professional development and community engagement ensures that you will have meaningful opportunities to grow and make a positive impact in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Unit Award Scheme
✨Connect with Local Educational Institutions
Get involved with universities and colleges in your area, especially those that offer adult continuing education programmes. Attend open days or even guest lectures to network with faculty members and find out about potential job openings before they even get advertised.
✨Leverage Professional Education Networks
Join professional networks focused on adult education, such as the Adult Learning Australia or the International Society for Technology in Education. These communities often have job boards or can point you towards opportunities at places like AQA just waiting for the right candidate!
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
In your interviews, share your own experiences and thoughts on lifelong learning. Highlight any courses or workshops you've taken recently to demonstrate your commitment to personal development and the importance of education. This is a big plus for roles in this field!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out our careers page at AQA. Applying directly through our website not only makes your application stand out but also shows you're genuinely interested in joining us. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Unit Award Scheme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Education:When crafting your CV for the Head of Unit Award Scheme role, make sure to emphasise any relevant experience in adult or continuing education. This could be teaching credentials, training sessions you've facilitated, or programmes you’ve developed. The more specific you can be about your contributions and outcomes, the better!
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills:In the adult continuing education sector, strong communication and interpersonal skills are key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you’ve worked with diverse groups or handled different learning styles. Let us see how you've engaged learners—you’re selling your teaching style here!
Connect Your Passion to Our Mission:At AQA, we value candidates who resonate with our mission to empower lifelong learners. Make sure your cover letter reflects your passion for adult education and your alignment with our goals. A genuine connection can really make your application stand out!
Keep it Professional Yet Personable:While it’s important to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our learners, so a friendly, approachable tone can help convey that vibe in your written materials. Apply through our website and let us see the real you!
How to prepare for a job interview at AQA
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
When interviewing for a role in adult continuing education at AQA, it's super important to highlight your passion for lifelong learning. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to education and how you've fostered a love for learning in others – this is something hiring managers love to see!
✨Prepare for Adult Education Methodologies
Be ready to dive into your knowledge of andragogy and educational theories during the interview. Expect questions about how you would adapt your teaching styles for adult learners – think about specific strategies you’ve used in the past and be prepared to discuss how they positively impacted your students.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Diverse Learners
At AQA, you’ll likely encounter a diverse range of adult learners, so don’t shy away from discussing your experience with different demographics. Be prepared to share your successes in engaging learners from varied backgrounds, and how your approach has adapted to meet their unique needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Ability to Collaborate
Given that this is a full-time role, teamwork will be essential. Be ready to talk about your experiences working in collaborative settings, whether it be with fellow educators, administrators, or community partners. Highlight specific projects where your collaborative efforts contributed to successful educational outcomes.
