Senior Project Manager

AQA Recruiting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour week

Pension scheme 6%–11.5%

25 days annual leave (30 with service)

Health coverage (Bupa PMI, Health Cash

Life Assurance

Cycle-to-work / eco transport schemes

Job summary

AQA in Manchester is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead technology-enabled change across large-scale programmes. You will drive delivery of strategic digital platforms and cloud-based initiatives, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and engaging senior stakeholders.

This role offers a smart hybrid model with two days in the office each week, a 35-hour week, and extensive learning and progression opportunities within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Strong track record delivering technology or digital projects in large/complex organisations.
• Hands-on experience delivering technology-enabled change in the last 18–24 months.
• Experience reporting to Directors/Senior Management; reporting, influencing and escalation.
• Experience delivering projects in Agile or hybrid delivery environments.
• Recognised project management qualification (PRINCE2, PRINCE2 Agile, MSP, AgilePM or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through delivery, managing plans, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, internal specialists and third-party suppliers.
• Engage confidently with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

Skills

Tech project delivery

Digital delivery

Stakeholder management

Agile / Hybrid delivery

Senior stakeholder engagement

Education

Project management qualifications (PRINCE2, PRINCE2 Agile, MSP, AgilePM)

Job description

Senior Project Manager Permanent Manchester | £58,000 – £66,000 Smart Hybrid Working – 2x days a week in the office

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.

Are you a Senior Project Manager with a strong background in technology and digital delivery, looking for variety, challenge and the opportunity to work on large‑scale programmes that really matter? Our growing team delivers complex programmes that are transforming education. From digital exams and assessment technology to enterprise platforms and cloud‑based solutions, our projects have a real and lasting impact on young people across the UK. We are seeking a skilled, delivery‑focused Senior Project Manager to join our Programme and Project Management team. You will be aligned to a portfolio of technology‑enabled change initiatives, working across enterprise and digital platforms that support and enable our core services. You will be responsible for leading projects through delivery, managing plans, risks, issues and dependencies, and ensuring outcomes are delivered at pace, to cost and to quality. This includes coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams, working with internal specialists and third‑party suppliers, and engaging confidently with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

What’s in it for you?

• Enjoy a flexible work environment with a 35‑hour week and extensive opportunities for learning and progression.
• Benefit from a competitive pension scheme, starting at 6% and rising up to 11.5%.
• 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.

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• A strong track record of delivering technology or digital projects within a large or complex organisation
• Recent, hands‑on experience delivering technology‑enabled change, ideally within the last 18–24 months
• Confidence working day‑to‑day with Director and Senior Management level stakeholders, including reporting, influencing and escalation
• Experience delivering projects in Agile or hybrid delivery environments
• A recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, PRINCE2 Agile, MSP, AgilePM or equivalent)

Desirable experience:

• Delivery of digital platforms, enterprise systems or cloud-based solutions
• Exposure to cloud technologies (e.g. Azure) and modern digital delivery environments
• Experience managing complex integration, dependencies and third‑party suppliers
• Coaching or supporting other Project Managers through matrix leadership (without formal line management)

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision‑making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role, please contact the recruiter named in the vacancy advert or your interview correspondence. They will work with you to ensure the appropriate support is in place and that the process is as accessible and equitable as possible. If you're unsure who your recruiter is, or can’t reach them, contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [e-mail] or 07813 724161, and she'll direct you to the right person. Please note that Faye cannot assist with temporary vacancy enquiries or non‑recruitment matters. For temporary vacancies, contact [e-mail].

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact Temporary roles: [e-mail] Permanent and Fixed Term roles: [e-mail]

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