Head of Unit Award Scheme in Warrington

Permanent position based in Manchester with a salary range of £63,000 - £69,000 and hybrid working options.

The Unit Award Scheme (UAS) has been helping learners gain recognition for their achievements for over 40 years. Used by a broad range of organisations such as prisons, alternative provision settings, charities, adult learning, schools, colleges and local authorities across the UK, the UAS celebrates learning in all its forms. Whether a learner is building confidence, developing life skills or taking the next step towards education or employment, UAS helps make achievement visible.

The current Head of UAS is retiring, and we are looking for a strategic and commercially minded leader to take the scheme into its next phase of growth. As 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, ensuring it delivers for customers, learners and AQA.
• 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. You might currently be working in education, assessment, qualifications, membership organisations, professional services, charities, learning services or another customer-focused environment where growth, innovation and stakeholder engagement are central to success.

Thinking about applying?

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.