Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A) at AQA

London, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Aug, 26

Salary

93600.0

Posted On

23 May, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

M&A, Corporate Development, Transaction Advisory, Strategy, Due Diligence, Financial Analysis, Business Case Development, Financial Modelling, Stakeholder Management, Commercial Analysis, Negotiation Support, Investment Logic

Industry

Education Administration Programs

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. Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A) Fixed term (9 months maternity cover) Location; London Salary: £79,100 - £93,600 Hybrid (minimum two days per week in the office) Introduction You’ll step into a high-impact role at the centre of AQA’s future growth. As Strategy and Business Development Manager (M&A), you’ll help shape how AQA expands into new markets, products and partnerships through mergers, acquisitions and strategic deals. This is a hands-on, senior role where you’ll take the lead on real opportunities, working alongside senior leaders and external advisers to assess, shape and deliver complex transactions. If you’re someone who can bring immediate expertise, thrive in fast-moving environments and enjoys working on high-profile, commercially critical work, this is a unique opportunity to make a visible impact. Purpose of the role In this role, you’ll support AQA’s corporate development activity by identifying, evaluating and progressing new growth opportunities. You’ll lead workstreams across mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, building evidence, shaping investment cases and supporting decision-making at Executive and Board level. You’ll work across a range of opportunities, partnering with senior stakeholders across the organisation and with external advisers to ensure robust analysis, clear recommendations and effective delivery. Your work will play a central role in AQA’s diversification strategy and future direction. Key responsibilities In this role, you'll be responsible for: Driving M&A and partnership workstreams through due diligence, financial analysis and decision points, working with Finance, Legal and external advisers. Developing high-quality business cases, papers and presentations to support Executive and Trustee decision-making. Supporting Executives in identification and assessment of acquisition and partnership opportunities, including strategic fit, market attractiveness and commercial potential. What we are looking for You’ll succeed in this role if you: Have strong experience in M&A, corporate development, transaction advisory or strategy, with the ability to step in and deliver from day one. Bring deep understanding of the end-to-end M&A process, including due diligence, negotiation support and working with advisers. Can build clear, evidence-based investment cases and translate complex analysis into compelling recommendations. Are confident working with senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and preparing materials for Executive and Board audiences. What’s in it for you This is a role that offers real exposure, pace and impact. You’ll benefit from: The opportunity to work on live M&A and strategic opportunities that shape AQA’s future direction. A 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working Exposure to high‑profile, business‑critical programmes. 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.” Application process To apply, please submit your CV and a short supporting statement. Closing date for applications is Sunday 7th June. 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 Purpose This role provides senior-level corporate development support to the Head of Strategic Planning and the Executive Director, with a primary focus on identifying, progressing and shaping new strategic opportunities for growth. The postholder leads discrete opportunity workstreams across mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, developing robust evidence, analysis and recommendations to inform Executive and Trustee decision-making. The role coordinates and oversees the delivery of new opportunity development, mobilising and directing a virtual team of functional specialist leads across the Group.Landscape The role sits within the Strategy team and reports directly to the Head of Strategic Planning. It operates at Group level and works in close partnership with the Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer, senior functional leads, Finance, Legal, senior leaders in AQA subsidiaries, and external advisers. The focus of the role is on new opportunities, including acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Activities New Opportunity Identification and Development Lead the identification and initial shaping of potential acquisition and partnership opportunities aligned to group strategy. Develop early-stage opportunity assessments, including strategic fit, market attractiveness and indicative financial returns. Work with the Head of Strategic Planning to prioritise opportunities and agree progression routes. M&A and Partnership Delivery Lead assigned workstreams within live M&A or partnership opportunities, from initial assessment through to transaction decision points. Conduct commercial due diligence and coordinating with Finance, Legal, Tech DD workstream and external advisers. Work with the Finance team to develop valuation models, scenario analysis and investment logic to support decision-making. Executive and Trustee Decision Support Draft clear, high-quality papers and presentations for Executive Team and Trustee consideration, ensuring complex information is translated into clear options and implications. Support the Head of Strategic Planning and/or Chief Strategy and Vocational Officer in preparing for Executive and Board discussions, including briefing notes and supporting analysis. Business Case Development Lead the development of investment cases for new opportunities, ensuring strategic rationale, financial evidence and risk articulation are robust and proportionate. Challenge assumptions and test scenarios, escalating issues or uncertainties appropriately. Ways of Working and Collaboration Build effective working relationships across AQA entities to ensure opportunity development reflects operational and regulatory realities. Model disciplined, pragmatic and delivery-focused ways of working. Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know): Essential experience and skills Strong experience in corporate development, M&A, transaction advisory or strategy roles. Proven ability to evaluate new growth opportunities and develop evidence-based investment cases. Strong financial modelling and commercial analysis capability. Experience working directly with senior executives on complex strategic decisions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting papers for senior audiences. Desirable Experience operating within regulated environments. Exposure to education, skills, assessment or adjacent markets. Experience supporting M&A transactions through to completion. Values and behaviours Demonstrates AQA’s values and behaviours. Exercises sound professional judgement and discretion. Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information. Collaborative, credible and able to influence without formal authority. AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally. Reasonable Adjustments If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on 07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk 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. Equality, diversity and inclusion AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive. 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: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk Privacy Policy

Responsibilities

Lead the identification, evaluation, and delivery of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships to drive AQA's growth. Develop high-quality business cases and financial analysis to support decision-making at the Executive and Board levels.