Subject Lead Creative Arts

Contract type: 2 year fixed term contract

Location: Manchester, Milton Keynes or London

Salary: Manchester £46,500-£53,300; Milton Keynes or London £48,000-£55,500

Working arrangements: Hybrid - at least one day a week in the office, regular customer visits with national travel and occasional overnight stays.

Lead people with clarity, purpose and impact, helping your team thrive while shaping the future of education. Ready to lead with impact? This is your opportunity to take Creative Arts beyond the classroom and shape how thousands of teachers and students experience the subjects. With assessment reform on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact with AQA. You will be joining the industry leader for Creative Arts at GCSE and A Level, supporting hundreds of thousands of learners each year. Our Creative Arts team support teachers of Art and Design, Music, Media Studies, Dance and Drama. With over 40 Subject Matter Experts in our Subject Support departments, you'll join a vibrant network of colleagues to work with, learn from and share ideas with.

We're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas and perspectives to enhance our culture and thrives in an environment where priorities shift and adaptability is key.

Purpose of the role

You will lead the Creative Arts subject area, combining subject expertise with strategic leadership to strengthen customer engagement, influence product growth and deliver clear, measurable outcomes that demonstrate impact in a competitive market. As a visible ambassador for AQA Creative Arts, you will build trust and confidence with diverse stakeholders, working with schools and communities across varied cultural and creative landscapes to ensure our qualifications reflect the diversity of learners. You will be part of a culture where every voice contributes to how we design and deliver our offer.

Key responsibilities

• Setting and delivering measurable plans for the Creative Arts that align with AQA's strategy and reform priorities, with defined targets for customer engagement, retention and growth.
• Leading and developing a small team of Creative Arts specialists to build capability, foster collaboration and drive continuous improvement.
• Designing and executing customer engagement strategies using insight and data and representing AQA externally at conferences and customer and stakeholder events.
• Building long-term relationships with schools and stakeholders.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Demonstrable and recent experience of leading a department which is delivering one or more of the Creative Arts suite of subjects.
• Expert knowledge of Creative Arts specifications, assessment practice and NEA.
• Proven leadership experience, and credibility with teachers, including coaching and building team capability at scale.
• Commercial awareness and a customer-centric mindset, with examples of turning insight into action that delivers measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, adapting your style under pressure and in ambiguous situations.
• Confidence in using data and metrics to define success, monitor progress and adjust plans at pace.
• Ability to engage and inspire external stakeholders, building confidence with diverse audiences.
• A commitment to representing the full diversity of learners in your subject leadership.

What’s in it for you

• A platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events.
• Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity.
• Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance and an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, generous company pension contributions up to 11.5% and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.
• An environment that values culture, inviting new perspectives and innovative approaches to improve how we support teachers and students.

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.

Make your mark on Creative Arts education - join AQA and help shape the future.

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Application deadline: Tuesday 10th February 2026

Short application questionnaire is included.

Interview Process:

First stage: Teams Interviews with a pre-set scenario - 18th February 2026

Second stage: Face to Face with a presentation - 24th February 2026 in Manchester (Train travel for those applying for other locations will be reimbursed)

Onboarding expectations:

The expected start date will align with teacher notice periods or earlier if feasible. Please note that an Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate. Successful candidates will be unable to maintain an Associate role with AQA or any other exam board.

Reference code: PRO22