This job is with AQA, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly. 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. Communications and Engagement Manager Fixed Term Contract until 26 th March 2026 Manchester: £47,300 - £52,700 Milton Keynes or Guildford: £49,200 - £54,900 Hybrid Remote Are you ready to create real impact in a changing environment? Think you could lead a communications strategy that inspires and connects? Imagine shaping how our examiners engage with us and advising internal teams on best practices. At AQA, we are looking for a Communications and Engagement Manager (which internally is known as an Associate Communications & Engagement Manager) to take the lead in developing and delivering an external-facing communication strategy for our associates-our examiners, who play a critical role in the delivery of our qualifications. You wi ll also support internal teams to ensure communication approaches meet the needs of this vital community. What is in it for me ? Shape and influence how we engage with our examiners, creating strategies that leave a lasting impact. Work with senior leaders and cross-functional teams on high-profile projects. Could h ave the opportunity to innovate and drive positive organisational change. You will have access from day one to an incredible pension scheme with employee and employer contributions jointly totalling, up to 18.5% 25 days annual leave, rising a day per year for your first five years with Bank Holidays and additional closure days at Christmas. AQA work in a smart hybrid way. This team are in the office for a minimum of two days per week or as business dictates - meetings are more productive in person, so you will need to live within a commutable distance of the Guildford or Manchester office. You will also benefit from Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan as paid volunteering days. You will be working in our newly refurbished office spaces and have access to a gym, a games room, and a yoga studio at our Manchester office as well as discounts at a variety of eateries at our Guildford office. What will I be doing? In this role, you will: Lead the development and implementation of a communication strategy for our examiners, ensuring it goes beyond service delivery and drives meaningful engagement. Advise and guide internal teams on best practices for examiner communication, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Create compelling, audience-focused content and campaigns, delivered across multiple channels. Support the planning, delivery, and evaluation of communications related to internal and external events such as briefings and roadshows. Collaborate with stakeholders across teams, providing expert guidance on communication strategies and fostering a culture of transparency and engagement. Evaluate the impact of communication activities and use insights to continuously improve strategies. What do I need to be successful? Proven expertise in external and internal communication strategy development. Ability to educate and guide colleagues on what effective communication looks like in a business context, ensuring messages are clear, engaging, and aligned with organisational goals. Strong project management and analytical skills with acute attention to detail. Experience crafting engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. Skilled in maintaining audience engagement and fostering a sense of community through tailored communication strategies and initiatives. What do I do next? Read the full job description then upload your most recent CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience are exactly what we need for this role. Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 9 th February. All applications will receive a written response. Pro 2 2 Recruitment Agencies We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place. Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees. Full Job Description Summary 1 - The role has a key focus on enabling employees within Q&M to adapt effectively to change, and delivering sustainable change management activities that support the design and implementation of the Question Paper Production Optimisation Programme (QPPOP). 2 - This role will also be critical in supporting a programme of change across our community of senior associates, who work with us to produce question papers, in response to regulatory changes introduced this year. 3 - Lead, develop and implement an effective communications and engagement plan to support the achievement of the programme's strategic objectives. 4 - Ensure effective engagement with all relevant audiences through all appropriate channels and ensure all communications are appropriately tailored to the audience and reflect AQA values. 5 - Provide tactical advice, guidance and support to colleagues across the organisation on communication and engagement activities aimed at employees and our associates (examining community).Key result areas Customer (external or internal) Develop and lead on delivering an employee and associate communications and engagement strategy that engages employees and associates in a two-way dialogue and meets strategic goals. Coordinate activities across programme work-streams to ensure that communication and engagement activities are planned and aligned effectively and delivered to quality standards. Drive and support the delivery of communications, including creating and designing content and sharing it through appropriate channels. Work proactively and in partnership with colleagues across Q&M by advising and guiding on, and helping deliver activities which foster engagement and reflect our values and behaviours. Lead on the planning, delivery and evaluation of internal events such as briefings, roadshows. Develop and support a network of colleagues with responsibility for communications and engagement, to help raise the quality, consistency and co-ordination of our communications. Provide advice and guidance on the associate communications and engagement strategy in order to develop a greater experience for the community. Demonstrate commercial flexibility by undertaking other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level as business needs change. People and culture Develop, and collaborate with, colleagues across the business to help create a culture that enables effective and transparent communication and engagement. Produces high levels of performance from others by modelling leadership behaviours with confidence and providing clarity, challenge, feedback, coaching and development in line with business objectives. Finance Ensure projects are delivered to and expenses kept within budget, and that we get value for money on our expenditure at all times. Ensures that the team's spend-tracker is kept up to date. Internal processes Develop and follow internal processes for creating and circulating associate communications and engagement pathways. Work across the programme team to ensure that the appropriate communication channels used reflect and promote our values and behaviours. Completes a Child Safeguarding Declaration in line with the AQA Child Protection Policy should there be a requirement to visit our customers, including schools and colleges. Ensures AQA is safe and legally compliant by applying AQA's policies and other legislative requirements including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS. Complexity/decision making: Managing and developing employee and associate communication and engagement channels to meet business needs. Key internal relationships: Head of Customer and Associate experience QPPOP team Associate Steering Group Associate Resource Management Qualifications and Markets business area Communications team People Group Person profile Knowledge A/I/P - A broad understanding of the context in which AQA operates and its main stakeholder and customer groups A/I/P - Extensive knowledge and experience of the full range of communication channels and how they contribute to successful engagement A/I/P - Working knowledge and competence across a range of digital programmes, including content management systems, HTML newsletters, Microsoft Suite and Adobe Creative Suite Qualification A Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant work experience Skills A/I/T/P - Excellent written and oral communications skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues with clarity and precision, and create simple and compelling audience-focused messages A/I/P - Ability to synthesise information and think creatively, turning business information into succinct, relevant and engaging content for various channels, while adhering to AQA's house style and tone of voice A/I/T/P - Demonstrates creative flair to ensure the design elements of any content, materials and collateral engages users and adheres to AQA's visual guidelines A/I/P - Strong influencing and negotiating skills with the ability to work collaboratively with and through others and challenge appropriately when required A/I/T/P - Ability to think strategically and translate strategies into workable plans as well as implement and deliver them A/I/T/P - Ability to understand the organisation and communication needs of colleagues at all levels A/I/P - Ability to interpret statistical data and recommend business improvements A/I/P - Excellent interpersonal communications skills, with the ability to listen and empathise A/I/P - Strong coaching skills and able to develop communication and engagement techniques and skills in others A/I/T/P - Acute attention to detail and consistency - with excellent proof reading skills A/I/P - Strong project and time management skills, capable of planning and delivering multiple projects, on time and to budget A/I/P - Deals tactfully and discreetly with sensitive and confidential matters Experience A/I - Extensive experience of developing and delivering employee and business transformation communications, including campaigns and plans A/I - Experience of supporting change within a complex and geographically dispersed organisation A/I - Has proven track record of developing and managing internal communication channels, including intranets, newsletters and staff events A/I - Has demonstrable experience of working across multiple teams to elicit successful outcomes A/I - Has demonstrable experience of communicating and engaging contracted colleagues A/I - Has a proven track record of creating engaging and on-brand content for the web and other channels - copy and design Behaviours I/P - Communication - gets the best out of others through excellent people skills I/P - Flexibility - develops and leads better ways of working I/P - Customer focused - puts the customer the centre of all we do I/P - Personal contribution - takes responsibility for being the best they can be I/P - Continuous excellence - makes excellence our standard Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage) A - application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes) I - interview T - test (or work sample) P - probationLI-DNI