Strategic Copyright Lead

aqa; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour working week

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Excellent pension (employer contrib.)

Job summary

AQA in Manchester is seeking a Strategic Copyright Lead to shape the copyright framework across the group. You will lead the Copyright and Archive Team, provide strategic oversight, and build influential relationships with publishers and rights holders.

The role offers hybrid working, a permanent contract, and the opportunity to influence learning products for UK learners and beyond, while managing risk and ensuring compliance.

Qualifications

• Strong copyright expertise with compliance in an educational environment.
• Collaborative leader with strategic thinking and influencing abilities.
• Proven relationship builder and negotiator with internal and external stakeholders.
• Leadership experience across teams or matrix environments.
• Strategic and commercially minded with a long-term view.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Copyright and Archive Team with direction and support.
• Shape and deliver AQA's strategic approach to copyright and embed best practice.
• Build relationships with publishers, rights holders and third-party partners.
• Provide insight and assurance to stakeholders using reporting and risk management.

Skills

Copyright expertise

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

Job description

Strategic Copyright Lead

Permanent

Manchester: £45,400 - £54,700

Guildford: £47,300 - £57,000

Working Arrangements; Hybrid working with 2 days per week in the office

Introduction

Copyright is a key feature of educational assessment, learning resources and intellectual property management.

This is a newly created leadership role with the opportunity to shape how copyright is managed across the AQA Group. As Strategic Copyright Lead, you'll provide strategic oversight of copyright activity, build influential relationships with publishers and third-party providers, and help establish a future-focused copyright framework that supports innovation while protecting compliance.

Working across the AQA Group, you'll play a key role in influencing how copyright supports the development of qualifications, assessments and future products for learners across the UK and beyond.

Purpose of the Role

This role has been created to provide strategic leadership for copyright across the AQA Group and make sure copyright processes, relationships and frameworks remain fit for the future. You'll lead the Copyright and Archive Team, oversee delivery of the new copyright framework and develop strong partnerships with publishers, rights holders and stakeholders across the organisation.

You’ll help embed a proactive approach to copyright, enabling colleagues to make informed decisions, manage risk and identify opportunities that support AQA's wider strategy and growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Copyright and Archive Team, providing direction, coaching and support while ensuring the team can effectively manage changing priorities and workloads.
• Shape and deliver AQA's strategic approach to copyright, including implementation of the new copyright framework and helping embed copyright best practice within AQA Education and across the AQA Group.
• Build strong relationships with publishers, rights holders and third-party partners, creating sustainable partnerships that support future assessment and product development.
• Provide insight, challenge and assurance to stakeholders, using reporting, risk management and informed decision making to balance business needs with copyright compliance.

What We Are Looking For

• We're looking for a collaborative leader who can combine specialist knowledge with strategic thinking, strong judgement and the ability to influence people in the right way.
• Strong copyright expertise, with a sound understanding of copyright compliance and the ability to apply it pragmatically within an educational environment.
• A proven relationship builder and influencer who can confidently challenge, negotiate and bring people with them, both internally and externally.
• Leadership experience, whether through direct people management or significant matrix leadership, with the ability to develop teams and drive change.
• Strategic and commercially minded thinking, able to see the bigger picture, understand the impact of decisions and identify opportunities that support AQA's long-term objectives.

What's in It for You

• This is a rare opportunity to shape a newly created role at the centre of an organisation that impacts millions of learners.
• Work across a diverse portfolio of organisations and products, including qualifications, international assessments and emerging educational initiatives.
• Build influential relationships with publishers and partners, developing an outward-facing dimension of copyright activity.
• A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
• 25 days' annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days
• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

"At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I 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."