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. J ob title: Subject Lead – Religious Studies & Philosophy Contract type: 24 months F ixed Term Contract Location: Manchester, Milton Keynes or London Salary: Manchester £46,500–£53,300; Milton Keynes or London £48,000–£55,500 Working arrangements: Hybrid – at least one day a week in the office, regular customer visits with national travel and occasional overnight stays Lead people with clarity, purpose and impact, helping your team thrive while shaping the future of education. Ready to lead with impact? This is your opportunity to take Religious Studies beyond the classroom and shape how thousands of teachers and learner s experience the subject. With assessment reform on the horizon, you will influence the future of education and make a national impact with AQA. You will be joining the market leader for Religious Studies at GCSE, supporting thousands of learners each year. With over 40 Subject Matter Experts in our Subject Support departments, you'll join a vibrant network of colleagues to work with, learn from and share ideas with. We’re looking for someone who brings fresh ideas and perspectives to enhance our culture and thrives in an environment where priorities shift and adaptability is key. Purpose of the role You will lead the Religious Studies subject area, combining subject expertise with strategic leadership to strengthen customer engagement, influence product growth and deliver clear, measurable outcomes that demonstrate impact on engagement and growth in a competitive market. As a visible ambassador for AQA Religious Studies, you will build trust and confidence with diverse stakeholders, working with schools and communities across varied cultural and creative landscapes to ensure our qualifications reflect the diversity of learners. You will be part of a culture where every voice shapes how we design and deliver our offer. Key responsibilities Setting and delivering measurable plans for Religious Studies that align with AQA’s strategy and reform priorities, with defined targets for engagement, retention and growth. Leading and developing a small team of Religious Studies specialists to build capability, foster collaboration and drive continuous improvement. Designing and executing customer engagement strategies using insight and data and representing AQA externally at conferences and stakeholder events. Building long-term relationships with schools and stakeholders. You’ll thrive in this role if you have: Demonstrable and r ecent experience leading a Religious Studies department or equivalent, with a deep understanding of both GCSE and A Level specifications and assessment practice, with credibility among teachers. You don’t need a background in Philosophy for this role, though an interest is always welcome. Proven leadership experience, including coaching and building team capability at scale. Commercial awareness and a customer - centric mindset, with examples of turning insight into action that delivers measurable outcomes. Excellent communication and presentation skills, adapting your style under pressure and in ambiguous situations. Confidence in using data and metrics to define success, monitor progress and adjust plans at pace. Ability to engage and inspire external stakeholders, building confidence with diverse audiences. What’s in it for you A platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events Your leadership will help shape how young people understand place, identity and global issues Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance and an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, generous company pension contributions up to 11.5% and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas A n environment that values culture, inviting new perspectives and innovative approaches to improve how we support teachers and learner s 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. Make your mark on Religious Studies education - join AQA and help shape the future. Application process To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Application deadline : Tuesday 10 th February 2026 Short application questionnaire Interview Process: First stage: Teams Interviews with a pre-set scenario – 16 th and 1 8 th February 2026 Second stage: Face to Face with a presentation – 23 rd and 24 th February 2026 in Manchester or 20 th February in London (* Train travel for those applying for other locations will be reimbursed) Onboarding expectations: The expected start date will align with teacher notice periods or earlier if feasible. Please note that an Enhanced DBS check will be for the successful candidate. Successful candidates will be unable to maintain an Associate role with AQA or any other exam board. Reference code: Pro22 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 Supporting customers retaining and growing market share through subject expertise. You will also be responsible for using your subject expertise to provide internal consultancy, providing customer insight plus building and managing relationships with external stakeholders where needed. In addition to subject expertise, leadership will be a key part of this role. You will be part of the leadership of the Subject Support Team. Your role will be to ensure all activities for your subject(s) are planned, monitored and managed effectively to deliver to customers and achieve Customer and Product and organisational objectives. Where relevant you will line manage the subject delivery support team for your subject area and will be responsible for the performance of this team and ensuring effective deployment of this resource to deliver key priorities. The role will require extensive national travel to represent AQA, deliver to customers and collaborate with internal and external stakeholdersLandscape: To understand the educational landscape particularly within your subject area. To understand and engage with the strategic priorities of AQA and its evolving structure. Activities: Responsible for setting and meeting challenging goals and milestones for delivery of your subject(s) Responsible for planning, monitoring and delivering Customer and Product priorities within your subject(s). Eg) Responsible for the creation, monitoring and delivery of subject focused annual plans Where appropriate, be responsible for managing and monitoring performance of a small team e.g. including talent spotting, development opportunities and driving high performance. Use relevant systems, reports and dashboards to plan and record delivery for your subject to meet delivery targets. Lead and support projects or workstreams within Customer and Product which are of a commensurate level to your role, maximising development opportunities Engage with key stakeholders to support effective planning and delivery of priorities e.g., Product Management, Marketing, Sales, Customer Training and Events and Customer & Product Planning Manager. Responsible for effective identification and management of risks and dependencies Ensure your work supports continuous improvement in process and delivery, to drive customer experience and satisfaction levels Responsible for working with other teams to reduce failure demand from customers in your subject(s) e.g improve first contact resolution of customer enquiries. Promote customer centricity, be an advocate for the customer across the business and provide subject based customer insight. Be a brand advocate for AQA with customers and associates. Represent the team, subject(s) and Customer & Product as part of wider organisational projects and priorities Contribute to business wide processes where needed to support customer facing activity eg) incident management and awarding Responsible for the recruitment and management of associates to support delivery to customers within your subject(s) in line with the AQA associate strategy. Engage with and influence subject level stakeholders such as subject associations and learned societies to build advocacy and support and to provide both stakeholder and customer insight to inform current and future developments eg, At times of reform Present at stakeholder events in collaboration with the Product Management team, in line with the product growth strategy, in order to influence stakeholder views and decisions to ensure AQA is seen as the board of choice for the subject. To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate: An excellent understanding of the subject, specifications and current pedagogy People leadership skills Former teaching experience or ability to demonstrate credibility with teachers Excellent communication, presentation and training skills in line with AQA brand and tone of voice Basic project leadership skills Operational Management skills Stakeholder management and collaborative working Influencing and brand advocacy Organisation, planning and prioritisation skills A continuous improvement mindset A big picture mindset The ability to have robust conversations with customers and stakeholders, own and deliver corporate messages The ability to interpret data to inform decision making, monitor delivery and impact to customers Modelling of organisational leadership habits and values and behaviours An understanding of AQA’s assessment products, processes and practices relevant to your subject(s)