Director of Associates
Permanent
Salary: £102 - 117K
Location: Guildford, London
Hybrid (two days per week in the Guildford office)
Closes: Friday 14 November
You'll be joining AQA at a pivotal moment as our Director of Associates, leading the strategic roadmap of how we engage with and manage our 40,000-strong associate workforce. This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll shape the future of assessment delivery through people, process and technology. If you're passionate about improving experience, driving commercial efficiency and building a best-in-class associate community, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.
About the Role
This position has arisen due to retirement. There is opportunity to build on the transformational work the incumbent has delivered, to set the vison of the next period and drive accountability and operational delivery.
Your work will directly support AQA's mission to deliver fair and reliable assessments for learners of all abilities. You'll lead a team of professionals and collaborate across departments to ensure associates receive a consistent, high-quality experience that drives performance and advocacy. You'll be responsible for the strategic oversight of AQA's associate community, ensuring their lifecycle-from recruitment to contract performance-is managed with excellence.
Our 40,000 associates are contracted annually to support the creation, delivery and marking of exams and other assessment products and services of AQA Education and Oxford AQA. Therefore, this role would best suit someone with experience of managing a sizeable external / third party workforce.
In this role you will:
* Evolve and develop the next phase of the associate's strategy to ensure is fit for future years and is aligned to AQA goals with measurable outcomes.
* Lead change programmes across people, processes and systems to further improve associate experience and commercial efficiency.
* Oversee associate resource planning, recruitment, onboarding, training, retention and contract management across the organisation.
You'll thrive in this role if you bring:
* Proven strategic leadership experience in managing large-scale contingent workforces or complex stakeholder communities.
* Strong change management skills with a track record of delivering cost-effective improvements.
* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across internal and external stakeholders.
* Financial acumen and ability to manage budgets and contracts effectively.
* A collaborative mindset and ability to coach senior leaders to drive continuous improvement.
What's in It for You
* This is a unique opportunity to lead a strategic function at the heart of AQA's operations. You'll benefit from:
* Exposure to high-impact work that shapes the future of assessment.
* Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
* Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
* A collaborative and inclusive organisational culture.
* Access to unique projects and initiatives that drive innovation.
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 D&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.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Application deadline: Friday 14th November 2025
The selection process includes CV screening and a three-stage interview process including a professional role play. These will be conducted via Teams and face-to-face during late November / early December
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