Resource Lead
Job Location:
Manchester - UK
Monthly Salary:
Posted on:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
At AQA were committed to advancing education and were committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and its our people who make this happen.
Resource Lead
Permanent
Manchester:56500 - 66000
Guildford:60000 - 68000
Hybrid working (min 2 days in office each week)
Make confident delivery possible
When the right people are in place at the right time delivery works. Whentheyrenot everything slows down.
As our Resource Leadyoullhelp leaders make confident decisions by giving them a clear view of capacitycapabilityand tradeoffs across a complex transformation programme.
Youllturn data into meaningful insightreally exploring the so what element tohelp answer the key question: what can we deliver when and with the people we have
If you enjoy influencing decisions working across teams and shaping how large programmes are delivered this is a role where you can have real impact.
Youllsit at the centre of a large multi-directorate programme working closely with teams across operations assessment design productHRand finance.
Your focus will be to ensure the right resource is in place at the right time to support delivery across theGeneral QualificationsReform portfolio.
Whatyoullbe doing
Build andmaintaina clear view of resource demand and capacity across the portfolio
Turn complex data into clear decision-ready insight for senior leaders-we use Planner Premium and Power BI
Model different resourcing scenarios to support prioritisation and planning
Provide constructive challenge where plans do not align to available capacity
Work with HR and Finance to shape resourcing approaches and solutions
Identifyand communicate resource risks and their impact on delivery
Improve how we forecasttrackand use resource data
Support planning and governance forums with forward-looking insight
Whatsin it for you
Youllhave the opportunity to shape how a major programme is planned and deliveredin acollaborative values-led environment where your insight will influence decisions.
You will have25 days annual leave rising to 30 with service plus bank holidays and Christmas closureand a35 hourworking week with flexible working.
We offer an excellent pension scheme (6%11.5%) plus PMI life assurance and health cash planand will have access to development opportunities whenever you need them.
There is also theopportunityto be part of inclusive employee networks across AQA(including LGBTQ Empowering WomenInterFaith Parents and Carers Neurodiversity Ethnic Diversity and more)
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 everyoneregardless of religion ethnicity gender identity or expression age disability sexual orientation or backgroundis 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.
Whatyoullbring
Forecasting and modelling resource demand and capacity in complex environments
Turning data into clear practical insight to support decision making
Influencing and building alignment without direct authority
Communicating clearly with senior and non-technical stakeholders
Working confidently where thereisuncertainty or competing priorities
Strong analytical thinking combined with sound judgement
Experience in large transformation programmes portfolios or regulated environments would be helpful butisntessential.
How to Apply
Ready to help shape how we plan and deliver at scale
Upload your most recent CV with a cover letter
Applicationswillclose at 23:59 onSunday 7 June 2026.
Interviews will be over2 stageswith shortlisting between in the week beginning 22 June 2026- 1ststage via Teams 2ndstage face to face in either the Manchester or Guildford office whichever is nearest to you
#STEC
#LI-FH1
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
The Resource Lead ensures that the GQ Reform portfolio has the right skills and capacity available at the right time to deliver agreed outcomes with confidence. The role provides a single integrated cross-organisational view of resource demand capacity capability constraints and delivery options enabling informed prioritisation sequencing and investment decisions across Reform delivery.Operating at portfolio level the role is accountable for providing decision ready insight on what can be delivered when and at what cost or trade-off. By strengthening forward looking resource planning and scenario modelling the Resource Lead improves delivery confidence and supports senior leaders to make timely evidence-based decisions in a complex and evolving Reform role sits within the Reform Delivery function and works closely across Product Qualification Development & Accreditation Assessment & Operations Finance and HR.
It is a specialist non-people lead role that operates at portfolio level bringing authoritative insight into business planning prioritisation and governance forums. The Resource Lead acts as a trusted adviser to senior leaders providing constructive challenge and clear advice on resourcing feasibility trade-offs risks and delivery implications across the Reform portfolio.
Activities:
Develop and maintain a single integrated portfoliolevel view of Reform resource demand across projects programmes products and enabling activities.
Analyse capacity capability critical skill dependencies and constraints translating complexity into clear decisionready insight for senior stakeholders.
Model alternative resource and delivery scenarios to inform prioritisation sequencing affordability and investment decisions.
Provide evidencebased recommendations and constructive challenge where demand is unaligned unrealistic or unaffordable within current constraints.
Work closely with HR and Finance partners to shape and secure resourcing options across permanent contingent and prioritised deployment models.
Establish and embed consistent standards and approaches for capturing maintaining and forecasting resource requirements across the Reform portfolio.
Support business planning prioritisation and portfolio governance cycles by preparing forwardlooking resourcing insight for formal planning assurance and decision forums.
Identify monitor and escalate resourcing and capability risks clearly articulating impacts on delivery timelines quality outcomes and confidence.
Drive continuous improvement in forwardlooking resource data quality forecasting accuracy tooling adoption and management information ensuring insight supports decisionmaking rather than status reporting.
Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Reform Delivery by embedding sustainable consistent approaches to portfoliolevel resource planning.
Support and strengthen existing PMO resource management processes and approaches while enhancing forwardlooking portfoliolevel insight.
To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
Proven ability to model and forecast resource demand and capacity across complex delivery environments or portfolios.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear insights options and recommendations for senior and executive stakeholders.
Experience influencing challenging and collaborating across multiple teams and disciplines without direct authority.
Strong communication skills including the ability to present complex information clearly to senior non-technical and mixed audiences.
Sound judgement and confidence operating in environments with ambiguity competing priorities and evolving information.
Alignment with AQA values and behaviours.
Desirable Criteria
Experience working within large multiyear portfolios transformation or Reform programmes.
Experience in education assessment or other regulated or complex delivery environments.
Familiarity with portfolio resource or workforce planning approaches and tools (e.g. capacity modelling scenario planning PPM or financial planning systems).
Understanding of AQAs operating model and delivery landscape.
About Company
AQA provides qualifications that enable students to progress to the next stage in their lives. We also support teachers to develop their professional skills.
