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. Software Delivery Manager 22 month FTC Milton Keynes: £65,838 - £75,866 Imagine leading the charge to deliver software solutions that directly impact millions of lives every year. Are you ready to inspire change, foster innovation, and excel in a high-stakes, mission-critical environment? At AQA, we’re seeking a Software Delivery Manager to drive excellence in software product delivery within our Assessment Technology portfolio. Working at the heart of our organisation, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring seamless technology solutions for GCSE and A-level results. Your work will support millions of learners annually, enabling them to achieve their goals through reliable, innovative, and efficient systems. By collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, you’ll contribute to shaping the future of education technology, making a tangible impact on learners' lives globally. This is an opportunity to combine your expertise with purpose, driving change where it truly matters. What’s in it for you? Enjoy a flexible work environment with a 35-hour week and extensive opportunities for professional and personal development. Access to an enhanced contributory pension scheme which could you see you paying in 7% and AQA contributing 11.5% (Other options are available) Receive 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas office closure. Comprehensive health coverage from day one, including Bupa PMI, Health Cash Plan, and Life Assurance. Participate in eco-friendly transport schemes, including electric vehicles and cycle-to-work options. What You’ll Bring: Proven experience in agile/lean software delivery. Technical expertise to drive innovative solutions. Exceptional problem-solving and leadership skills in time-pressured environments. Passion for continuous improvement and innovation. Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and third-party partners. A results-oriented mindset, with the ability to balance technical, operational, and commercial factors in decision-making. How do I apply? Read the full job description and upload your most recent CV by following the link provided. Closing date for applications will be Wednesday 5th February. 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 Purpose: This role is accountable for leading the delivery of change for software products within the AQA Assessment Technology portfolio, both planned and because of production support, using internal and 3rd party software development teams. Inspiring a culture of trust, learning, innovation and continuous improvement, this role will promote collective ownership and delivery excellence. This role reports to the Development Manager.Landscape: The Assessment Technology group reports directly into the Chief Executive Officer. The group operates in close partnership with the Enterprise Technology and Central Hubs departments. The Assessment Technology group is responsible for the operational systems that deliver millions of GCSE and A-level results annually. It includes the technology for assessment design and production, and the full lifecycle of exams series delivery from entry to post-results services. Given the seasonal nature and criticality of the Summer exams series, the role will be required to provide hands-on technical expertise through critical issues during the Summer series which may require some unsociable hours. Whilst this role may not provide direct line management, through matrix management the Software Delivery Manager will work closely with business analysts, developers, test analysts, and other roles, both internally and from suppliers, who are responsible for the delivery of planned change and software support for the strategic and mission-critical systems that underpin AQA’s core assessment proposition. Regular stakeholder engagement across all levels and all locations is required, with national and international travel where necessary. Activities: Leading delivery teams to develop and support strategically aligned software products, reducing time to market, and increasing quality through continuous improvement of:processes, driving agile / lean good practice people, through modelling leadership behaviours, coaching, and technology, ensuring systems reflect good practice Provide progress and performance reporting against agreed targets for all delivery areas to the Development Manager, Head of Software, and other relevant stakeholders. Work with other members of the leadership team to develop consistent processes and standards between teams. Work alongside the Scrum Team and Development Manager to support:Product Increment (PI) planning to ensure that the near-term roadmap is clearly defined PI execution, managing performance, tracking and communicating progress Scrum of Scrums meetings to ensure all product delivery teams are aligned Optimising the flow of work, to maximise value to the organisation Escalating impediments, managing risk, and driving delivery improvement. Agreeing scope and frequency of releases. Deliver software in accordance with relevant standards such as ISO9001 / ISO27001, regulatory requirements and AQA policies. Continuous professional development – responsible for ensuring own ongoing professional development to meet existing and future organisational needs. Work close with Product Managers and Product Owners who own and prioritise the product backlog To be successful in this role, you will need to know: Excellent experience of software delivery in a variety of agile / lean and scaled agile delivery structures, with an outcome focussed approach. Demonstrable technical knowledge to be able to create, drive, innovate and assess technical solutions across a wide range of software technologies, processes and platforms. Structured thinking approach, able to lead groups of people to break down and resolve complex and ambiguous problems in time-pressured environments, recognising and balancing technical against operational and commercial factors. Significant experience delivering in high-stakes and regulated environments. High level of curiosity, with a genuine passion for finding and implementing innovative solutions for business problems through technology. Passion for continuous improvement in practice, to increase delivery quality, reliability, and dependability.