Account Management Associate in Kettering

Account Management Associate in Kettering

Kettering Full-Time 54400 - 61300 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
AQA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Help schools choose AQA as their trusted assessment partner and promote qualifications.
  • Company: Join AQA, a leading educational organisation committed to supporting teachers and learners.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and private medical insurance.
  • Other info: Flexible home-based role with opportunities for professional development and career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on education while building meaningful relationships with schools.
  • Qualifications: Experience in consultative sales or influencing decisions in education is preferred.

The predicted salary is between 54400 - 61300 £ per year.

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Home based - 3 roles across England available (Lancashire & Merseyside, East Midlands, and the South West)

Salary location band (SB1): £54,400 to £61,300

Salary location band (SB2): £52,300 to £58,900

Working arrangements: Home based with daily field travel

You will play a key part in helping schools and colleges choose AQA as their trusted assessment partner. This is a sales role where you'll promote AQA's qualifications, support offer and insight tools across your geographical territory. As part of this role, you will build meaningful relationships with centres, understand what matters to teachers and leaders and position AQA's value with clarity and confidence. You will also take ownership for activity and delivery across your territory, working independently, in step with structured campaigns to engage centres in ways which strengthen their confidence in choosing AQA.

Purpose of the role

To deliver market share across the portfolio during Assessment reform within your allocated geographical territory. You will build long-term, trust-based relationships with centres, helping them make informed choices about AQA's qualifications, training and wider support offer. You'll focus on understanding customer and centre needs, bringing insight into conversations and connecting educators with the right support. You'll also guide centres through AQA's support and analytics tools, helping teachers and leaders make well-informed decisions during reform and beyond.

What's in it for you

  • A 35-hour working week and 25 days' holiday (increasing with service), plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
  • An excellent contributory pension scheme (combined contributions up to 18.5%)
  • Private medical insurance and access to AQA's Health Care Cash Reward Plan
  • Access to the Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
  • Up to 5 paid volunteering days each year
  • A role where you directly influence how schools deliver qualifications and support young people's learning across your region
  • Opportunities for professional development and career progression
  • The opportunity to take ownership of activity across your geographical territory, working independently day to day and making informed decisions that drive performance and long-term engagement with AQA

Key responsibilities

  • Deliver the activity and engagement required across your territory, using a clear plan for how you will work with centres to understand customer and centre needs, offer tailored support and strengthen long-term engagement
  • Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, heads of department and other key influencers to understand their goals and provide insight-led, consultative support
  • Use customer, competitor and market insight to shape conversations, identify opportunities or risks and share valuable intelligence across AQA teams
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues in Assessment, Customer Training and Events and Subject Support to ensure centres receive the right support at the right time
  • Maintain accurate CRM and account records to support data-led decision making

You'll thrive in this role if you have:

  • Experience influencing decisions in schools or colleges (e.g. curriculum, departmental or leadership roles), or experience in consultative sales in the education sector
  • The ability to quickly establish positive, professional relationships in both face-to-face and virtual settings
  • Demonstrable organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and organise your workload effectively
  • The ability to learn quickly, use data to inform decisions and adapt to new information or market changes
  • A collaborative, open style when working with colleagues
  • A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (regular travel is required)

Territories available

You will be asked to select one territory during the application stage. You must live within the postcode areas listed to be eligible for that region.

  • Lancashire & Merseyside SB2 (M6 corridor north of the M62) Eligible postcodes: CH, L, FY, PR, LA, BB
  • East Midlands SB1 (Northampton, Milton Keynes, Bedford) Eligible postcodes: LE, NN, MK, LU, SG
  • South West SB2 (Bristol to Exeter) Eligible postcodes: TR, PL, EX, TA, TQ, BA, BS

Due to the nature of this role, we are only able to consider candidates based within these postcode areas.

What next? Application process

Please upload your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest and transferable skills. Closing date: Tuesday 23 June 2026. The expected start date will align with teacher notice periods, or earlier where possible. You'll complete a short application questionnaire, followed by a two-stage interview process. Interview dates depend on the territory you're aligned to:

  • East Midlands First stage (online): 7 July 2026 Final stage (Milton Keynes): 13 July 2026
  • South West (Bristol / M5 corridor) First stage (online): 7 July 2026 Final stage (Bristol): 17 July 2026
  • Lancashire & Merseyside First stage (online): 15 July 2026 Final stage (Manchester): 23 July 2026

We'll confirm your interview dates and location once you've progressed through shortlisting. All candidates will be notified of outcomes at each stage.

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.

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. AQA will arrange and cover the cost.

Account Management Associate in Kettering employer: AQA

AQA is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a supportive work culture that values curiosity and collaboration. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional development, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact in education while enjoying the flexibility of a home-based role with daily field travel across England. Join us to help shape the future of qualifications and support educators in their vital work.

AQA

Contact Details:

AQA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Account Management Associate in Kettering

Leverage Your Network

In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!

Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results

When targeting a full-time role like Account Management Associate at AQA, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!

Engage with Sales Communities

Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.

Direct Applications Matter

While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including AQA. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Account Management Associate. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!

We think you need these skills to ace Account Management Associate in Kettering

Sales Skills
Relationship Building
Consultative Support
Customer Insight
Market Analysis
Organisational Skills
Data-Driven Decision Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!

Tailor Your Message for AQA:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for AQA. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!

Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!

Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!

How to prepare for a job interview at AQA

Know Your Sales Methodologies

Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show AQA that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.

Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills

Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show AQA that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.

Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios

In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!

Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision

Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with AQA’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.