Software Delivery Manager

AQA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Software Delivery Manager to oversee the delivery of software products within the Assessment Technology portfolio in Manchester. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in agile software delivery, technical expertise, and the ability to lead teams in high-pressure environments. This role offers a salary ranging from £63,000 to £72,800, along with excellent benefits including flexible working and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service

Flexible working environment

Excellent contributory pension

Life assurance and health plans

Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in software delivery in agile/lean structures.
• Demonstrable technical knowledge to innovate and assess solutions.
• Ability to lead and resolve complex problems in time-pressured environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery teams for software products, reducing time to market and increasing quality.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders for consistent and timely delivery.
• Facilitate planning and execute projects to meet strategic goals.

Skills

Agile software delivery

Technical knowledge across software technologies

Structured thinking

Managing high-stakes environments

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement practices

Job description

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

Manchester: £63,000 - £72,800 + Excellent Benefits

Permanent

Hybrid (2x days a week in the office)

Closing date for applications is Thursday 31st July 2025.

Are you an experienced Software Delivery Manager with an outcome-focussed approach?

Would like to use your skills to contribute in an organisation that has a positive impact on people's lives?

Landscape

We are seeking an experienced Software Delivery Manager to join our Assessment Technology group in Manchester. The group is responsible for the Microsoft-aligned operational systems that deliver over 3 million GCSE and A-level results annually. It includes the software product covering the full lifecycle of exams series delivery from entry to post-results services, as well as our Integration product built on Azure Integration Services which ensures data can be exchanged securely and reliably between all AQA systems and 3rd parties.

As the Software Delivery Manager you will work closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Developers, Test Analysts, and other roles, both internally and from suppliers, who are responsible for the delivery of planned change and support for these strategic software products.

Desirable experience:

• Excellent experience of software delivery in a variety of agile and lean 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.
• 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.

What’s in it for you:

At AQA we recognise our employees' contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package. This includes:

• 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure
• Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
• 35 hour working week
• Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
• Life assurance, BUPA PMI and Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

What next?

If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!

We are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.

AQA is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all colleagues have equal opportunities to thrive. This isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential to how we serve teachers and students across the country. We’ve set ambitious goals, and now we need someone like you to help us meet them.

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

This role is accountable for leading the delivery of change for software products within the AQA Assessment Technology portfolio, both planned and as a result 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 Head of Software Delivery – EP&I (HoSD – EP&I).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 over 3 million 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 may also be required to provide hands-on leadership through critical issues during the Summer series on occasions.
Team
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.
Key relationships
Regular stakeholder engagement across all levels and all locations is required, with national and international travel where necessary.
Activities
Software Delivery
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 HoSD – EP&I and other relevant stakeholders.
Work with other members of the leadership team to develop consistent processes and standards between teams.
Facilitating Product Increment (PI) planning to ensure that the near-term roadmap is clearly defined
Driving PI execution, managing performance, tracking and communicating progress
Driving 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.
Stakeholders
Provide confidence to customers and stakeholders through; consistent, timely, high quality delivery, excellent communication, and wider services.
Work close with Product Managers and Product Owners who own and prioritise the product backlog
Manage 3rd party delivery contracts when required.
Other Responsibilities
Financial management – working with the HoSD – EP&I and other stakeholders to prepare business cases for ongoing product resourcing and change activities.
Risk management – participating in the identification, assessment, planning and management of threats and opportunities.
Business continuity and incident management – participating in identification, assessment, planning, testing and implementation of incident management processes to support recovery of key business processes.
Information security – taking an active part in the preservation of security, confidentiality, availability and integrity of information assets.
Continuous professional development – responsible for ensuring own ongoing professional development to meet existing and future organisational needs.

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.