Qualifications Product Development Manager

AQA Education; Manchester; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization is seeking a Qualifications Product Development Manager to lead product plans for a defined portfolio. This hybrid role, primarily based in Manchester, focuses on ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while meeting customer needs. Ideal candidates will possess strong product management skills and a degree-level education, with a commercial mindset to prioritize projects effectively. A competitive salary ranging from £49,000 to £56,500 is offered for this full-time position.

Benefits

Competitive pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• In-depth subject knowledge in Science, English & Maths.
• Experience in a complex, matrix-managed environment.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and delivery for a defined portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and customer needs.
• Develop actionable insights into customer needs and competitive position.

Skills

Product management

Commercial awareness

Data interpretation

Influencing skills

Education

Degree level education or equivalent professional experience

Relevant subject-related qualifications (Science, English & Maths)

Tools

AirTable

Job description

Overview

At AQA we are committed to advancing education and 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.

Role Title

Qualifications Product Development Manager – Portfolio

Contract

7‑month Fixed Term Contract (Parental Leave Cover)

Locations

Manchester, London / Guildford – Hybrid working: typically two days per week in the office with flexible arrangements considered.

Purpose of the Role

Working in a wider team of 15 you’ll lead the development and delivery of product plans for a defined portfolio, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, customer needs and AQA’s strategic objectives. This role is critical to maintaining qualification development processes and preparing for upcoming assessment reform, including digital exams.

You'll work closely with subject experts and stakeholders across AQA to ensure our products meet the needs of teachers and learners while influencing decisions at a national level. Using project‑management tools such as AirTable is expected, although prior experience is not a pre‑requisite.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and improve AQA’s product development process and toolkit.
• Use data and insights to inform decisions and deliver strategic projects on time and within budget.
• Scope and contribute to digital exam product development and roadmap.
• Build strong trust‑based relationships across AQA and with external partners.
• Represent AQA at events and conferences where needed.

What We’re Looking For

• Knowledge of product management and marketing, and awareness or involvement in qualification development.
• Demonstrable commercial awareness with experience in strategic planning and delivery.
• Excellent influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to balance competing priorities.
• Confidence in interpreting data and navigating complexity in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

• Competitive pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (prorated) and additional closure days at Christmas.
• Volunteer leave.
• Ongoing professional development including product‑ and leadership training.

Diversity and Inclusion

At AQA we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. Our EDI 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.

Additional Information

An Enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your skills and motivation. We will keep you updated on timelines and next steps throughout the process.

Application deadline: Sunday 9th November 2025 23:59

In‑person Interviews: Expected to take place mid‑November 2025, with offers expected end of November 2025.

Full Job Description – Summary

Lead the development of an assigned portfolio or product within AQA, prioritising and overseeing activity to deliver on time and within budget. You will work under the guidance of a Head of Product or Product Portfolio head to support AQA’s strategic objectives and balance quality, customer, commercial and stakeholder considerations.

Key Activities

• Act as the face of AQA’s product, both internally and externally.
• Define strategy and roadmap for a defined area of responsibility; generate ideas for improvement and prioritise them.
• Use subject knowledge to ensure products and supporting services meet customer needs and align with pedagogical approaches.
• Collaborate with Customer & Product teams to drive continuous improvement and place customer insight at the heart of the proposition.
• Plan customer engagement campaigns, events and activities for maximum impact.
• Deliver strategic projects related to product development or withdrawal.
• Develop actionable insights into customer needs and AQA’s competitive position to support a product growth strategy.

Financial Management

• Understand product profitability and optimise performance while balancing financial targets with customer quality and stakeholder interests.
• Act as the commercial champion, defining priorities and communicating them to stakeholders.
• Recommend and update financial targets with Finance, guiding activity to achieve them.
• Contribute to pricing policy and advise on pricing decisions.
• Produce evidence‑based proposals and business cases for new and enhanced products.

Product and Internal Processes

• Recommend product plans, balancing evidence from across AQA and overseeing delivery to time and budget.
• Serve as the focal point for product performance monitoring and delivery.
• Analyse and interpret data to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Collate expertise across AQA to deliver budgeted annual plans that support product targets and strategic objectives.

People and Culture

• Comply with all AQA policies and legislative requirements including HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
• Work within the team to embed good practice in product management.
• Maintain and develop digital communication, content creation and information processing skills.

Technology

• Deliver secure, reliable, agile, cost‑effective systems.
• Apply business analytics to transform research and customer insights into policy influence.

Government and External

• Provide timely, valued insight and evidence that informs policy.
• Maintain all product‑related regulatory and compliance records and risk management processes.

Required Knowledge, Qualification and Skills

• In‑depth subject knowledge (Science, English & Maths). – if applicable.
• Knowledge of Product Management and Marketing.
• Educational landscape and product customer knowledge.
• Degree level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Relevant subject‑related qualifications (Science, English & Maths).
• Commercially astute; proven strategic planning and operational delivery expertise.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and commercial context understanding.
• Clear communication of commercial information to non‑commercial audiences.
• Big‑picture thinking, complex problem‑solving, prioritisation and negotiation skills.
• Constructive challenge of thinking and synthesis of complex information.
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis for decision making.

Experience

• Experience of teaching (Science, English & Maths).
• Experience in a complex, matrix‑managed environment.

Employment Information

Employment type: Full‑Time
Experience required: X years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly salary: £49,000 – £56,500

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list in place. Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.